Polk County gave Mitchell much more of a test than perhaps the Mountaineers expected before falling 56-42 in a foul-filled Western Highlands Conference girls basketball clash in Ledger.

Mitchell (3-4, 11-7) opened a 16-8 lead at the end of the first period, then used a 6-2 run to start the second period to grab a 22-8 lead. But the Wolverines (1-15, 0-8) kept the margin there until Megan Dellinger hit a 3-pointer just before the halftime buzzer to make it 27-11 at the half.

Polk County then opened the third period with a 7-0 run, cutting the deficit to 27-18 and forcing Mitchell to take a timeout. The Mountaineers surged ahead 41-25 by the end of the third period, then extended the margin to 53-31 with 2:30 remaining before Polk County again rallied, outscoring Mitchell 12-3 in the final two minutes.

Autumn Owen scored 29 points to lead Polk County, with Mariah Overholt adding five points and Haley Fowler scoring four in her first varsity action of the season. Bella Marino and Ava Marino each added two points.

Taylor Newton grabbed 11 rebounds for the Wolverines, with Owen grabbing five rebounds.

Polk County returns home on Friday, hosting Avery.

POLK BOYS FALL: After three quarters of lead swaps and back-and-forth play, Mitchell pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 75-52 win in varsity boys play.

The Mountaineers (2-5, 5-13) closed the third period with a seven-point spurt to take a 55-46 lead, then pushed the margin into double digits early in the fourth period.

Polk County (2-14, 0-8) cut the deficit to eight with four minutes left, but Mitchell closed the game with a 17-2 run to seal its third win over the Wolverines this season.

Dillon Overholt scored 12 points and Brandon Bacher had 10 to lead Polk County, which also got six points from Amir Gary, five from Seth Hardin, four each from Malik Miller, Clark Phipps, Wyatt Derkach and Markell Lipscomb and three from Jaymes Wingo.

JUNIOR VARSITY: Polk County’s girls dropped a 57-20 decision to Mitchell. The Wolverines are now 2-9.

– article submitted by PolkSports.com