For two quarters on Tuesday evening (Feb. 9), it was a competitive basketball game, with the score tied, 23-23 at the half.

After that, Polk County’s varsity women adjusted effectively, outscored host Hendersonville, 17-9, in the third quarter, and 19-5 in the final period, to trim the Bearcats, 59-37.

Polk will compete in the Western Highlands Conference tournament, which begins Monday, Feb. 15, after being postponed from today.

On Tuesday, Hayley Kropp led the Wolverines with 34 points, 13 rebounds and eight steals. Kendall Hall added eight points, while Autumn Owen scored seven, grabbed six rebounds, and Alana Seay brought down six rebounds, while scoring four points.

Kropp raised her career high school varsity point total to 1,608.

The Wolverines take a 9-13 overall record and a 4-8 mark in the Western Highlands Conference, into the WHC tournament. The Bearcats fell to 1-20 and 1-11, respectively.

The tournament’s opening round will be hosted by the higher-seed school. Semi-finals and finals will be at Avery County High School. Mountain Heritage’s women are undefeated in the WHC.