Owen’s Warhorses turned back Polk County’s women’s and men’s varsity basketball teams on Wednesday, Jan. 27.

Polk’s women fell, 63-44, while the men missed out at the buzzer, with Owen hanging on for a 75-74 win.

Both games were played at Owen. The losses dropped Polk’s women to 8-10 overall, and to 3-5 in the Western Highlands Conference. Polk’s men fell to 5-13 overall, and also 3-5 in the WHC.

On Friday, Jan. 29, both Polk teams visit Avery County, another WHC rival.

After trailing Owen, 23-14, after the first quarter, the Wolverine men launched a comeback, leading 54-48 after three.

Polk head coach Josh McEntire reported, “Owen hit a put back, and a foul with 1.7 seconds left, to take the lead. Polk’s shot at the buzzer rimmed out.”

Jamal Wheeler (20 points), Wes Mullis (17) and Dillon Overholt  (10) scored in double figures for the Wolverines. Teammates Daniel Painter (nine), Holden Owens (seven), Jaymes Wingo (six) and Davis Derkach) rounded out the scoring.

Hayley Kropp led Polk’s women with 25 points, 14 rebounds and five steals. Autumn Owen scored nine and grabbed seven rebounds. Ansley Lynch also pulled down seven rebounds, and scored four. Kendall Hall (four) and Alana Seay (two) filled out Polk’s scoring.