Last-minute basket lifts Patton JVs girls past Polk County

Polk County Middle’s junior varsity girls showed dramatic improvement in their second game in two nights – nearly earning a win as well.

Patton scored the go-ahead basket in the final minute Friday to upend the Wolverines 23-22 in a Mountain Foothills 7 Conference matchup at Polk.

How it happened: The Wolverines (0-2) scored just two points Thursday in their season opener, but topped that in the first quarter Friday and took a 14-9 lead at halftime.

Polk built the lead to 18-12 in the second half, but the Panthers slowly chipped away, and finally pulled in front on a long jumper with 58 seconds remaining. Wolverine foul trouble played a key role in aiding Patton’s rally – Polk played more than half the final quarter with just four players after having two players foul out.

The Wolverines had a couple of possessions in the final seconds, but could not get the go-ahead basket to fall.

Scoring: Exziah Staley had six points to lead Polk County, with Avia Cunningham scoring five. Akyla Cunningham had four points, with Bianca Pitts adding three and Jeri Allen and Gabby Savaia each scoring two.

Next up: Polk County is scheduled to travel Tuesday to Hendersonville for a 4 pm. tipoff.