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Dwyer powers Webb girls over PCA for first-ever state championship





Webb School senior Lashae Dwyer lifts the DII-A state championship trophy in Cookeville on March 6, 2021.Harrison McClary

Webb School senior Lashae Dwyer lifts the DII-A state championship trophy in Cookeville on March 6, 2021.Harrison McClary

COOKEVILLE – The Webb School girls basketball team needed a boost after finishing 4-17 last season.

Hamilton Heights transfer Lashae Dwyer provided that and more.

After being snubbed for Miss Basketball, the Miami (Fla). signee went on a tear in the postseason, leading the Lady Feet to their first district and region tournament titles as a do-it-all point guard.

There was one box left to check on Saturday at Tennessee Tech.

“There was a lot of motivation because people were in my ear saying I should have been (Miss Basketball),” Dwyer said. “But to be honest, the only thing we were really worried about was winning this state championship. And we did it.”

Dwyer finished her high school career with a game-high 23 points in a 54-38 victory over Providence Christian to secure the TSSAA Division II-A state title – the first team championship in Webb’s history.

“That’s pretty special,” first-year Webb coach Matt Shewmake said. “Not a lot of people in this century can say they’re the first ever. We made history all year.”

Webb reacts to winning the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

Webb reacts to winning the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

PCA coach Tara James knew her team was in for a challenge in guarding Dwyer, who had already beaten the Lady Lions four times earlier in the season, including for the district and region championships.

“(Dwyer) is a very talented player, and she’s surrounded by some good players as well,” James said. “We knew that we wanted to try to contain her – you can’t stop her – but try to contain her and hold everyone else to a low number.”

PCA accomplished half of that goal.

No other Webb player scored more than eight points, but Dwyer did enough damage on her own. The senior hit a pair of threes, grabbed 12 rebounds and dished out six assists to earn tournament MVP.

“I waited four years for this one moment,” Dwyer said. “That kept me pumping. I kept telling the team, ‘Pick our heads up, we got this, no letting up.’”

PCA seniors AC Markham and Mariah Edmonds finished with 14 and 9 points, respectively. Otherwise, the 2019 state champions were unable to find consistency on offense.

PCA reacts to losing the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

PCA reacts to losing the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

“We struggled offensively, and we have this season against their 1-3-1 (defense),” James said. “We had a difficult time trying to penetrate that.

“I thought we were doing a good job defensively, but (Webb) opened up hitting a couple threes in the third. It’s hard to recover against a team like theirs.”

Shewmake is hoping Webb can become an athletics powerhouse alongside its academic reputation. The private boarding school was established in 1870 and produced more Rhodes Scholars than any other high school in the United States during its early days.

Now the Bell Buckle school is proving it can compete on the court too.

“This isn’t IMG or Montverde, this is Webb School,” Shewmake said. “It’s historically a prestigious academic school. We can do both here. We can be good and excel in athletics, and we can excel in the classroom.”

Webb reacts to winning the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

Webb reacts to winning the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

BOX SCORE

PCA (38): AC Markham 14, Mariah Edmonds 9, Mia Alexander 8, Abby McFarland 5, Alia Callum 2.

Webb (54): Lashae Dwyer 23, Shanice Simpson-Wheatley 8, Lauren Vann 7, Ava Butts 5, Brookelyn Pedigo 5, Sanai Thomas 4, Charlotte Carkuff 2.

Webb’s Shanice Simpson-Whitely (23) passes under pressure from PCA during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

Webb’s Shanice Simpson-Whitely (23) passes under pressure from PCA during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

PCA's Alla Callum (32) drives to the basket during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

PCA’s Alla Callum (32) drives to the basket during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

PCA's Alla Callum (32) and Webb’s Lashae Dwyer (2) dive for a loose ball during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

PCA’s Alla Callum (32) and Webb’s Lashae Dwyer (2) dive for a loose ball during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

Webb’s Lashae Dwyer (2) and PCA's AC Markham (5) during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

Webb’s Lashae Dwyer (2) and PCA’s AC Markham (5) during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

PCA's head coach Tara James during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

PCA’s head coach Tara James during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

PCA student section during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

PCA student section during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

Webb’s Shanice Simpson-Whitely (23) teaches for a rebound during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

Webb’s Shanice Simpson-Whitely (23) teaches for a rebound during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

PCA's Abby McFarland (22) and Webb’s Brookelyn Pedigo (11) during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

PCA’s Abby McFarland (22) and Webb’s Brookelyn Pedigo (11) during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

PCA's Mariah Edmonds (10) shoots past Webb’s Shanice Simpson-Whitely (23) during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

PCA’s Mariah Edmonds (10) shoots past Webb’s Shanice Simpson-Whitely (23) during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

PCA's AC Markham (5) loses the ball during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

PCA’s AC Markham (5) loses the ball during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

PCA student section during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

PCA student section during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

PCA's Alla Callum (32) and Webb’s Shanice Simpson-Whitely (23) reaches for a rebound during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

PCA’s Alla Callum (32) and Webb’s Shanice Simpson-Whitely (23) reaches for a rebound during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

Webb’s Lashae Dwyer (2) trips during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

Webb’s Lashae Dwyer (2) trips during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

Webb's Shanice Simpson-Whitely (23) shoots during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

Webb’s Shanice Simpson-Whitely (23) shoots during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

PCA's Abby McFarland (22) during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

PCA’s Abby McFarland (22) during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

PCA's AC Markham (5) blocks Webb’s Brookelyn Pedigo (11) during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

PCA’s AC Markham (5) blocks Webb’s Brookelyn Pedigo (11) during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

PCA's Mia Alexander (3) and Webb’s Lashae Dwyer (2) dive for the ball during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

PCA’s Mia Alexander (3) and Webb’s Lashae Dwyer (2) dive for the ball during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

Webb’s Ava Butts (5) chases the ball during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

Webb’s Ava Butts (5) chases the ball during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

Webb’s head coach Matt Shewmake talks with Webb’s Lauren Vann (10) during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

Webb’s head coach Matt Shewmake talks with Webb’s Lauren Vann (10) during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

Webb’s Brookelyn Pedigo (11) trapped on the sidelines during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

Webb’s Brookelyn Pedigo (11) trapped on the sidelines during the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

PCA's head coach Tara James after the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

PCA’s head coach Tara James after the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

PCA's Alla Callum (32) with the runner up trophy after the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

PCA’s Alla Callum (32) with the runner up trophy after the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

Webb’s Lauren Vann (10) with the trophy after winning the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

Webb’s Lauren Vann (10) with the trophy after winning the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

PCA after the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

PCA after the TSSAA State Championship final in Cookeville, Tennessee, Saturday, March, 6, 2021. Photo: Harrison McClaryHarrison McClary

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