Bullock beats buzzer

Tussle between crosstown rivals decided at the horn

January 14, 2026 by Ken Lay

Emerie Bullock scored just three points, but her final one proved decisive.

Bullock, a junior guard for the Lady Mavericks, drilled a 3-pointer as time expired to lift Anderson County High School to a 48-47 comeback victory over crosstown rival Clinton on Friday night in a District 4-AAA girls basketball game at Don W. Lockard Gymnasium.

The buzzer-beater snapped a three-game losing streak for Anderson County (7-8 overall, 1-1 District 4-AAA) and erased a 32-15 halftime deficit.

Bullock’s impact extended well beyond the final shot. The Lady Mavericks’ leading rebounder, she pulled down six boards to go with five assists against the Lady Dragons.

“She’s our glue,” Anderson County Coach Mitch Cupples said. “She always does what I ask her to do and she never complains.”

Cupples said the halftime message was simple.

“We didn’t make any changes,” he said. “I just told them to calm down and take a breath. I didn’t give a pep talk and I didn’t say anything special.”

The Lady Mavericks methodically chipped away after the break, trimming the deficit to 41-33 by the end of the third quarter when Ansley Freeman buried a long-range jumper late in the period.

Anderson County tied the game at 45 late in the fourth, but Clinton briefly regained the lead when Caylin Taylor scored inside in the final minute. Taylor missed a pair of free throws moments later, however, and Bullock secured the rebound before knocking down the game-winner just before the final horn, ending Clinton’s 16-game winning streak.

“This was a big win for us for several reasons,” Cupples said. “It’s a rivalry game, it’s a district game, and it snapped the streak. I couldn’t be prouder.”

Macy Basford led Anderson County with a game-high 19 points. The Lady Mavericks connected on 10 3-pointers, including six after halftime. Addison Grooms finished with seven points and six rebounds, Bethany Lowe scored seven points, and Julia Owens added six.

Taylor paced Clinton with 16 points. Josie Moody scored 11, and Addi Gamble finished with nine for the Lady Dragons (18-2, 1-1).





Tony Cox | The Courier News

Anderson County’s Julia Owens and Clinton’s Addi Gamble scuffle after a loose ball late in Friday night’s rivaly matchup at Don W. Lockard Gymnasium. The Lady Mavericks won the matchup 48-47 after Emerie Bullock hit a last-second three-pointer.









Ellie Hatmaker | The Courier News

Clinton’s Addi Gamble brings the ball up the floor during the Lady Dragons’ home game against Anderson County on Friday, Jan. 9. Gamble scored nine points in the rivalry matchup. Earlier in the week, she posted 12 points and 12 assists in a 70-29 win over Union County.





Tony Cox | The Courier News

Anderson County’s Addison Grooms looks for an open teammate as Clinton’s Cailyn Taylor defends during the Lady Mavericks’ 48-47 comeback victory over the Lady Dragons on Friday night.





Tony Cox | The Courier News

Anderson County Assistant Coach Emily Bullock embraces her daughter, Emerie Bullock, after Emerie’s last-second 3-pointer lifted the Lady Mavericks to a 48-47 comeback victory over crosstown rival Clinton on Friday night.



Ellie Hatmaker | The Courier News

Clinton’s Lanee Carmichael drives to the basket during the Lady Dragons’ rivalry game against Anderson County on Friday, Jan. 9.