Wolverines close season with split; WHC tourney pairings set

Polk County’s varsity basketball teams closed their regular seasons Monday night against Owen. They will open postseason play on Tuesday in the same manner.

The Wolverine girls rolled to a 62-31 victory while the Polk boys dropped an 80-67 decision at Owen in the regular season finales for all teams.

The weather-delayed Western Highlands Conference tournament now awaits beginning Tuesday, and the four teams will be in action against one another again. Polk County’s girls (12-9, 6-6) will host Owen (8-15, 3-9) at 6 p.m. while the Wolverine boys will travel to Owen for a 6 p.m. contest. WHC officials decided Monday morning to hold all first-round games on Tuesday and to let higher seeds host.

Hayley Kropp and India Godlock each scored 13 points as the Wolverines won their fourth straight game. Two of those four wins have been over Owen.

Polk County Scoring

Hayley Kropp 13, India Godlock 13, Ashley Love 9, Savannah Ross 8, Janada Carson 8, Lyric Flood 5, Sarah Phipps 4, Kayelyn Miller 2.

Michael Pomeroy scored 37 points to lead the Owen boys (12-11, 7-5), who clung to a four-point lead in the fourth quarter before pulling away late. With the win, Owen climbed to the No. 2 seed for the WHC tourney.

Jamal Tanner scored 19 points, Wes Mullis added 12 and Anthony Carson and Saquan Miller each added 11 points for Polk County (6-15, 2-10).

Polk County Scoring
Jamal Tanner 19, Wes Mullis 12,  Anthony Carson 11, Saquan Miller 11, Jordan Smith 5, Jaylin Hines 5, Jaron Bontrager 2, Wes Brady 2

Western Highlands Conference tourney
Tuesday’s games
Boys
No. 7 Polk County at No. 2 Owen
No. 6 Hendersonville at No. 3 Mountain Heritage
No. 5 Mitchell at No. 4 Madison
No. 1 Avery County, bye

Girls
No. 7 Hendersonville at No. 2 Avery County
No. 6 Mitchell at No. 3 Madison
No. 5 Owen at No. 4 Polk County
No. 1 Mountain Heritage, bye