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By Joe Whitfield

MACON — You’ve heard the old saying “You live by the sword, you die by the sword,” right? That is pretty much what happened Wednesday night to the Calhoun County Lady Cougars in the state championship game in Macon. All season the Lady Cougars have relied on an intense defense and hot three-point shots to dominate their opponents. Wednesday night Marion County’s defense was too much and those three-point shots the Lady Cougars love, would not fall.

Marion County twins Ansley and Ashley Whitley scored 20 and 12 points, respectively to lead the Lady Eagles past the Calhoun County Lady Cougars 50-38 in the Class A state championship game at Macon’s Centreplex. The Lady Eagles finished the year 29-1 overall while Calhoun’s Lady Cougars end with an impressive 29-3 record.

The senior 6’1” pair were quick to the basket throughout the game and created issues for the Lady Cougar defense the entire night. Their height and speed kept them on the free throw line and Calhoun’s inside players in foul trouble. Ansley Whitley hit 12 of 14 free throws while Ashley downed six of nine free throws. Ashley snagged 12 rebounds while Ansley pulled down nine.

Marion County led almost the entire game and pulled out to a 24-12 halftime lead. Still, the Lady Cougars battled in the second half. Jateriah Wimbush nailed a three-pointer from the top of the key with 20 seconds left in the third quarter that closed the gap to nine points – 36-27 as the two teams headed into the final period.

Even though both Ashley and Ansley suffered leg injuries during the final period and were on the bench, the Lady Cougars could not get the shots to drop in the final quarter. Calhoun’s Destiny Hightower did score nine fourth-quarter points, but Wimbush was the only other Lady Cougar to score.

The Lady Cougars had a dismal shooting night in Macon, hitting only three of 26 three-point attempts and only 16 of 59 two-point shots. Calhoun County senior Kanashus Enocher led the Lady Cougars all season, but Wednesday night was not her night. The three-point ace was 0-8 from outside the arc and 0-12 from two-point land. The two inside players for Calhoun who have dominated all season – Maya Wims and Takia Davis – had rough nights as well. They scored six and four points, respectively – thanks to the inside presence of the tall twins.

With her nine fourth-quarter points, Hightower led the scoring for the Lady Eagles with 12 points and Wimbush followed with 10.