BENTON, Tenn. — Without the presence of a true post player, the Polk County girls’ basketball players are used to tall orders.
Tonight, they might face the tallest order of the season, but they’ll do so in the wake of one of their biggest victories in 26 years. They defeated rival McMinn Central 37-30 for Polk’s first region championship since 1984.
McMinn Central is ranked No. 1 in the state.
“After the game, we were all at a loss for words,” Polk senior guard Hollie German said. “Everybody was so pumped that all we could do was hug. Not only did we win the region, but we beat Central and that meant a lot because it’s Coach (Ron) Davis’ last year.”
Davis has revealed that he’s retiring after this season with more than 930 wins.
The Wildkittens (26-5) will host Upperman (25-7) in a Class AA sectional, and the longtime coach expects the town to be painted red. Polk County hasn’t hosted a sectional since 1984 — the last time he took a team to the state tournament.
“They’re going to come out,” Davis said of the Wildkittens’ supporters. “I have players whose parents played on the last state-tournament team, so they’re excited because it’s been a long time since we’ve been in this position. Twenty-six years is a long time, so they’re going to fix this town up.”
TONIGHT’S GIRLS’ SECTIONAL SCHEDULE(All times EST)Class AAABlackman at Walker Valley, 7Cleveland at Riverdale, 8Class AAUpperman at Polk County, 7McMinn Central at Cannon County, 8Class ARed Boiling Springs at Arts & Sciences, 7Marion County at Jackson County, 8
The senior leadership provided by German, forward/post Alex Rogers and guard Sara Wilson has been important.
“They stabilize the whole team,” Davis said. “They really handled the pressure well against Central and have set a good example for the other kids.”
The Lady Bees feature 6-foot-4 senior post, Karissa Dyer. Polk’s tallest starter is 5-foot-10 point guard German, so defending Dyer will take a collective effort. Included in those responsible for defending the post will be the 5-foot-6 Rogers, whose versatility will be put to the test.
“I usually just try to go by them,” Rogers said. “I don’t pay attention to height. I’m just going to try to get her out to the 3-point line and get her out of her comfort zone.”
Said Davis: “We really play with five guards. All of them can handle the ball well, so we’re pretty hard to guard one-on-one.
“We know it’s going to be tough. Upperman plays in what probably is the toughest region in the state. Their 6-4 girl will cause problems, but they have to travel to us. We have nothing to lose and a lot to win, and they’re going to have to come in and beat us. We’re not going to lay down.”