GRAY DEYOSports Writer

The Lady Wildcats dropped the ball on Dec. 29, losing their eighth game of the year to Clarkrange High School 43-37.

The Lady Wildcats stuck with the opposing Buffaloes through all four quarters, but a 7-4 out scoring in the third from the Buffs was all the room they needed to take home a narrow six-point victory against Tullahoma. Despite the defeat for the Lady Wildcats, two freshmen showed out—Lizzy Sharpton and Kenzie Farrell.

Farrell and Sharpton have both worked their way into head coach of Tullahoma Chad Hibdon’s rotation in their first year of varsity high school basketball. They both have earned that right with their effort on the defensive side and the continued evolution of their offensive games as seen against Clarkrange. The two first-year Tullahoma players combined for 19 points—with Sharpton finishing with a team-high 10 points and Farrell finishing right behind her with nine. The two’s continued improved play has been a bright spot in the rough stretch of games for the Lady Wildcats over the last month. Tullahoma closed out the month of December with a 2-7 record.

The defeat against Carnage served as a stinger for Tullahoma, as they were coming off a promising win the game before against Westmoreland High School on Dec. 28–winning that matchup 49-34. There is still plenty of time to turn their fortunes and get back to building that positive momentum heading into postseason play, with 13 games left on their schedule. They will look to start that upward trend against Moore County High School on Jan. 3.