SPORTS

The last name Dodgen has been a name embedded in the White County High School girls’ basketball program in recent years.

Michael Dodgen has been the head coach of the Warriorettes since 2015, having 262 wins so far.

His oldest daughter Gracie Dodgen (‘21) soon came through not long after he took the position as head coach.

Gracie Dodgen also made her mark as a Warriorette. In the beginning of her junior season, she joined the 1000 Point Club and had her name permanently marked in Roy Sewell Gymnasium.

After high school, Gracie Dodgen went on to play for the MTSU Lady Raiders all four years, where she is now an assistant

The youngest daughter of Michael Dodgen entered high school in 2022, Addison Dodgen ('26), but her story had a different turn than her older sister.

Addison Dodgen suffered from a tear of the ACL and meniscus in the beginning of her freshman season. The community expected her to come back the following season and make her presence on the court.

When the following season got closer, Addison Dodgen wasn’t cleared. She had to go through another prolonged surgery.

Her sophomore and junior seasons were filled with healing and rehabilitation. During this time, Addison Dodgen stayed on the sideline and learned the game from a different perspective.

Entering her final season as a Warriorette, the news spread that she would be cleared to play for the first time since her eighth grade year.

On November 24th, 2025, Addison Dodgen had her first appearance on the court after a long awaited arrival.

Addison Dodgen talked about that moment. “It felt amazing to finally be back on the floor with my teammates and to get to play for my dad.”

Michael Dodgen talked about it from his perspective as a coach and her father. “She’s worked really, really hard. She’s had a couple setbacks that have pushed her, which she’s worked really, really hard to get back to this point. You know, proud of her for that.”

She continued to make appearances in the following game, but she had yet to make her first point.

Addison Dodgen then made her presence on the state sheet on January 2nd, 2026, where she made a three pointer.

Addison Dodgen said, “I was just so happy because if people are watching the game, they know I have been wanting to make this three for a while. So when it finally happened, it was just such an exciting feeling and moment.”

The gym proved that they have been keeping up with her journey because when she made the shot, the crowd exploded in excitement for her.

Michael Dodgen joked, “If she shot like her daddy and not like her mama, she’d have made a shot a long time ago.”

“But, no, she’s worked really, really hard, and she’s a very key part of the team. And she brings a lot of energy for our kids, and she’s their biggest fan. You gotta have those types of kids in the program.” he continued.

Addison Dodgen might have had the same path as her older sister and father, but her resilience and determination for the game of basketball has made her mark in the White County High School girls’ basketball program for generations to come.