Quitman’s title defense starts well

QUITMAN 65, CARLISLE 56

JUDSONIA — Quitman’s quest to defend its Class 2A state title began Friday with a 65-56 victory over Carlisle at the girls state tournament at White County Central.

But Quitman, drawing a bye into Friday’s round, got all it could handle from the Lady Bison.

Carlisle scored the first four points of the game, then held off Quitman 18-14 after one quarter.

The teams worked through seven lead changes in the second quarter after Quitman started the frame with an 8-2 run to take its first lead of the game at 2220 with under four minutes to play.

The lead went back and forth before ending with Quitman holding a 28-27 halftime lead.

Carlisle continued to challenge in the second half, getting within two points at 34-32 with 3:59 to play in the third quarter.

Quitman finished out the third quarter with an 11-6 run to lead 45-38.

“Our shots weren’t falling for us like we hoped they would,” Quitman Coach Tim Hooten said. “And in the first half, our rebounding was not very good. We knew at halftime we would have to be better in both areas.”

Making defensive changes was key to Quitman’s fourth quarter, which saw the Lady Bulldogs push their lead to 50-42 with five minutes left, taking advantage of Carlisle’s sophomore guard DaShaye Hicks fouling out.

Kylie Warren made a pull-up jumper to get Carlisle within 50-48 with 4:10 remaining, but a quick pass to Quitman’s Nicki Hooten from Gracie Smith left Carlisle down by four. With just over a minute to play, Quitman led 55-52 and then made it 57-52 on free throws by Aspen Johnson.

Quitman dropped in eight consecutive free throws to set the final score.

Nicki Hooten led Quitman with 27 points, the only Lady Bulldogs player with 10 or more points. Savannah Henry and Lucy Holland each finished with nine points.

“Hooten, my niece, had a tendency and the ability to take over a game,” Coach Hooten said. “She can play all the parts, shoot the three, hit the pull-up jumper or take it to the rim. She works at it a lot.”

Warren led Carlisle with 22 points while Ricks had 11 and Kiara Miller added 13.