By Brayleigh Boggs
Carter County Times
The East Carter Lady Raiders and the Morgan County Lady Cougars faced off in a highly anticipated rematch of the 2025 62nd District Championship at the Harold L. Holbrook Athletic Complex. In a tightly contested battle, Morgan County came out on top, defeating East Carter 53–50 to bring home the hardware.
One year after falling just short on the same stage, Morgan County proved why experience and composure matter in championship moments. In a game that featured multiple lead changes, clutch three-pointers, and defensive stops down the stretch, the Lady Cougars leaned on timely shooting and poise in the final minute to secure victory over East Carter and claim the 2026 62nd District title.
Morgan’s Lily Litteral (33) got the Cougars on the board early. The Lady Raiders responded quickly with a three from Bristol Boggs (1), who followed up with a steal moments later. Jocie Rudd (10) added her own triple to the mix, but Sara Jenkins (3) wasted no time adding her own to the score sheet. Rudd (10) went 2-2 outside the arch and added another basket from inside, giving East a steady lead early in the first quarter. Brynlee Walker (24) muscled through pressure for her first points of the night. Litteral (33) cut the deficit to three just before Coach Derrik Young called his team to the sideline to regroup.
Sophomore Jenna Goble (20) and Boggs (1) held the Cougars scoreless, picking up multiple rebounds. Abby Boggs (5) bought home a triple just as time expired to end the first quarter, 19-12 in the Lady Raiders favor. Boggs (5) seemed unbeatable defensively, with multiple steals and a possession-ending block from Walker (24). Tori Bishop (21) drove into the lane to give the Raiders a double-digit lead. Litteral (33) revived the Cougars, posting up under pressure. Jenkins’ (3) and-one jumper put Morgan back in the game. Emma Clinger (11) had the last shot of the half, keeping the ball game within five.
Litteral (33) opened the second half for the Cougars. Boggs (1) added with two free throws, and Walker (24) followed in the paint. Clinger (11) stayed consistent for Morgan, but Hall (4) never made it easy with strong defensive pressure. Bishop sent the ball downcourt to Rudd, who grabbed two in transition. Soon, Clinger (11) fired back with one of her own. Bishop (21) scooped up an and-one, just before Boggs (5) snagged a steal. KK Halsey (1) and Litteral (33) combined to give the Cougars a one-point lead going into the final eight minutes of the match.
Bishop (21) knocked down a floater but was matched by Bella Smith’s (13) long three-pointer. Boggs (1) hit Hall (4) backdoor to put East back on top. Rudd (10) hit a clutch three, but Morgan quickly evened the playing field. The Raiders trailed by two with under a minute remaining. Walker (24) tied it up once again. Jenkins (3) added three for the Cougars. With 29 seconds remaining, the Raiders regained possession. Even with multiple last-second attempts, the Lady Raiders could not connect and fell short. Morgan County finished 53-50 over East Carter, officially naming them the 2026 62nd District Champions.
Contact the writer at news@cartercountytimes.com
