Essentially a play-in game, Warren and McDowell entered with equal 1-4 Region 7 records with the winner advancing to play the region’s top 6A seed, Erie High (4-2).

Warren lost by 35 points, 69-34, to the Trojans just 11 days ago, but that was before the Dragons won two of their last three games, including once against Erie, with a renewed emphasis on defense.

“I knew the game would be tough,” said Warren coach Jenny Phillips. “McDowell has a nice group and they play hard. We needed to be sure (that) we played just as hard, and smarter. I’m extremely proud of this team and of how they played tonight, giving it everything they had for all four quarters and am so happy to have this win for our seniors. The dedication they have given to this program for the past four years is to be admired, and I knew they weren’t ready to be done yet. Fortunately, we aren’t. Our next feat, the 6A district title against Erie. We have played them twice and split, so this game will certainly be a battle.”

In addition to a senior recognition ceremony, Friday’s home game started at 4 p.m. due to a cancellation Thursday due to weather.

Photo by Mark Evans Four seniors, from left, Grace Carr, Emily Davidson, Alyssa Farr, and Alana Stuart were honored on Friday before the Warren girls basketball team’s 54-52 Region 7 win over visiting McDowell.

“After our game got postponed on Thursday night, I was hoping the girls wouldn’t lose energy or motivation coming into this afternoon,” added Phillips. “They were so hyped to play on Thursday night, especially since we were celebrating our seniors. My message to them before the game was, ‘it may be a different day, but the goal is the same — get the win.'”

One of four seniors, Emily Davidson sank two free throws with 7.5 seconds left to secure the win.

Tied at 36-36 after three quarters, senior Alana Stuart had 6 points, senior Alyssa Farr 5, and junior Peyton Wotorson 4 in Warren’s 18-16 fourth.

“We were pretty back and forth with them all game,” said Phillips, whose Dragons are 9-12 overall after three wins in four games. “McDowell and us had the same region record and the winner would advance to playoffs.”

Wotorson finished with 15 points, Stuart 14, Emma Roell 11, Davidson and Farr 5 apiece, and Peyton Hagg 4.

Kaylee Bithell led McDowell with 13 in the loss. Leah Major, who led McDowell with 25 points on Feb. 3, was held to 8 on Friday.

McDOWELL (52)

Major 3 0 8, Loomis 1 0 2, Bithell 6 0 13, Clemente 1 1 3, Netkowicz 3 3 9, Rivera 5 0 12, Payne 0, Dovichow 2 0 5, Smochek 0. Totals 21 4-4 52.

WARREN (54)

Farr 2 0 5, Davidson 0 5 5, E.Roell 3 5 11, Stuart 6 2 14, Wotorson 5 5 15, Rodgers 0, Hagg 2 0 4. Totals 18 17-25 54.

3-point goals–Major 2, Bithell, Rivera 2, Dovichow, Farr.

McDowell 12 10 14 16 — 52

Warren 12 13 11 18 — 54