Girls Bounce Back - Strong Tourney Win Over Jellico
It's Feb. 16, 2026. The regular season has concluded - and the tournament bracket has been set. Although they had just played on Friday at the same location for the last regular season game of the year... Wartburg and Jellico would square off again in a play-in game for the girls tournament. The winner would guarantee a top-4 finish in the district and a spot in the region tournament... the loser would end their season tonight.
During the regular season, Wartburg defeated Jellico in epic fashion in their first meeting with a score of 84-49. But then Jellico struck back on Feb. 13 with a win over Wartburg 60-54. Knowing that the loser of this game would see their season come to an immediate end would bring extra intensity to this contest. So who would find enough intensity to avoid seeing their season wrap?
Wartburg came into this game like their hair was on fire after being upset in their last game of the regular season. They jumped out to an early lead - ending the first quarter 18-4. They never let up as they played 4 quarters of Bulldog basketball. Ledford hit a 3-point buzzer beater going into the half - and London Wright hit another buzzer beater to end the third quarter. Everything was falling for the Lady Bulldogs tonight - and they punched their ticket to the next round of the playoffs.
Here are a few takeaways...
During the regular season, Wartburg defeated Jellico in epic fashion in their first meeting with a score of 84-49. But then Jellico struck back on Feb. 13 with a win over Wartburg 60-54. Knowing that the loser of this game would see their season come to an immediate end would bring extra intensity to this contest. So who would find enough intensity to avoid seeing their season wrap?
Wartburg came into this game like their hair was on fire after being upset in their last game of the regular season. They jumped out to an early lead - ending the first quarter 18-4. They never let up as they played 4 quarters of Bulldog basketball. Ledford hit a 3-point buzzer beater going into the half - and London Wright hit another buzzer beater to end the third quarter. Everything was falling for the Lady Bulldogs tonight - and they punched their ticket to the next round of the playoffs.
Here are a few takeaways...
Scoring Queens
I had the stats from the final game - but only had a chance to input them tonight (you can find the season's stats here)... In their final game of the season - Braylen Melton's 3 points gave her... 318 points on the season! And then Kaylee Ledford's 21 points gave her... 318 points on the season! Can you believe after a long season - where these two swapped the scoring title back and forth all year - they actually ended up tied with the exact same point total across the season? What a great season for both of the senior scorers! And they both led the team in their first playoff game of 2026... Melton had a double-double with 13 points and 10 assists, and Ledford led the team with 22 points. They've both played with intensity and tenacity all season - and they will need to carry that energy into their next matchup! Great job ladies!
London Bridge is... Standing Tall!
A year ago, London Wright was struggling to find her role consistently as a junior on the Wartburg team. One year later, she has responded well to her new Head Coach Jen Hendricks - she has worked her tail off - and the team wouldn't be the same without her! Her regular season ended against Jellico on Feb. 13 with 200 points! She then added 8 more points in this first game of the tournament - and tied for the team lead in rebounds with 6! London has been fun to watch as she came on strong down the stretch - providing a very clear third scoring threat on the team.
Basler Balls Out
Brylie Basler is a tough player in the post. She's played hard all year, but sometimes the post play doesn't land in the scoring column as much. Basler has come on strong in the last couple of games with some savvy rebounds and layups. Ending the regular season with 68 points - Basler tied for third on the team with another 8 in their first tournament game against Jellico. With a tough matchup against Coalfield coming up, Basler picked the perfect time to heat up! Let's go Brylie!
Sophomore Squad!
The makeup of this year's team is a little odd. You expect every team to have at least a player or two from each grade, but the Lady Bulldogs have 4 seniors and 4 sophomores. With zero juniors on the team this year - that points to zero seniors on the team next year. That means that barring a transfer or someone coming back that stepped away this year - these 4 sophomores will be heavily relied upon next year as Juniors.
1. Lila Frasier flipped a switch around Jan. 19. She went from being a part-time role player to playing with confidence and authority. She had 29 points in the first 14 games (scoreless in 7 of the 14).... but then 48 points in the final 9 (starting Jan. 19). That confident switch is just the tip of the iceberg for the sophomore standout. Frasier chipped in with 5 tonight.
2. Jordyn Pemberton has played like she's older than a sophomore all year. She quickly garnered the nickname "Pitbull" because she plays with an edge. Her edge helps her in the paint - but she also has a sneaky-good three point shot. She was the top sophomore scorer on the team with 112 points on the season - and she tied for the team lead in rebounds tonight with 6.
3. Bradlee Sexton got a late start to the year after a minor surgery on her knee before the season began. Sitting out til January cost her 8 games of the regular season. Much like Pemberton, Sexton plays in the post with an edge. She doesn't shy away from contact - if anything - she leans into it. Sexton gobbles up the rebounds and putbacks. She will be a mainstay in the post next season.
4. Addison Brown looked like she was poised to take a huge step forward this year. She was the 2nd leading scorer on the team over the first 2 games of the season only behind Kaylee Ledford when tragedy struck. She has maintained a solid presence with her teammates as she rehabs a significant knee injury. It says a lot about a player when you are there with your team even when you can't practice and play. Pray for a speedy recovery - because Brown is going to be needed next year in a big way!
1. Lila Frasier flipped a switch around Jan. 19. She went from being a part-time role player to playing with confidence and authority. She had 29 points in the first 14 games (scoreless in 7 of the 14).... but then 48 points in the final 9 (starting Jan. 19). That confident switch is just the tip of the iceberg for the sophomore standout. Frasier chipped in with 5 tonight.
2. Jordyn Pemberton has played like she's older than a sophomore all year. She quickly garnered the nickname "Pitbull" because she plays with an edge. Her edge helps her in the paint - but she also has a sneaky-good three point shot. She was the top sophomore scorer on the team with 112 points on the season - and she tied for the team lead in rebounds tonight with 6.
3. Bradlee Sexton got a late start to the year after a minor surgery on her knee before the season began. Sitting out til January cost her 8 games of the regular season. Much like Pemberton, Sexton plays in the post with an edge. She doesn't shy away from contact - if anything - she leans into it. Sexton gobbles up the rebounds and putbacks. She will be a mainstay in the post next season.
4. Addison Brown looked like she was poised to take a huge step forward this year. She was the 2nd leading scorer on the team over the first 2 games of the season only behind Kaylee Ledford when tragedy struck. She has maintained a solid presence with her teammates as she rehabs a significant knee injury. It says a lot about a player when you are there with your team even when you can't practice and play. Pray for a speedy recovery - because Brown is going to be needed next year in a big way!
What's Next?
So the girls advance to the next round where they will take on the Coalfield Yellow Jackets on Feb. 19 at Roane State Community College. This will be an uphill battle - but as long as you get a chance to play - you always have a chance. Come out to support the Lady Bulldogs at Roane State!
But tomorrow, Feb. 17, the boys team has their chance to win a play-in game to make it into the top-4 of the district and a spot in the region tournament. They play Oliver Springs at home in Wartburg at 7 PM. To rev up the unity and community - the students are putting out the all-call - EVERYBODY WEAR A JERSEY! I'm told it's any jersey - Wartburg - college - pro... Just wear a jersey! C'mon - let's let the students lead and jump on board... Get your jersey out - dust it off - and let's ride! 7 PM - Dallas Reed Davis Gym - GO DOGS!!!
But tomorrow, Feb. 17, the boys team has their chance to win a play-in game to make it into the top-4 of the district and a spot in the region tournament. They play Oliver Springs at home in Wartburg at 7 PM. To rev up the unity and community - the students are putting out the all-call - EVERYBODY WEAR A JERSEY! I'm told it's any jersey - Wartburg - college - pro... Just wear a jersey! C'mon - let's let the students lead and jump on board... Get your jersey out - dust it off - and let's ride! 7 PM - Dallas Reed Davis Gym - GO DOGS!!!
It's tournament time! Let's go win a championship!
Go Dogs!
