Team success is the ultimate goal for the Warren County basketball programs, but it doesn’t come without several individuals standing out. District 6-AAA coaches this week decided there were many locals who excelled on the hardwood this season.
Seniors Isaiah Grayson and Chance Hobbs were all selected to the All-District 6-AAA team released Wednesday. Also garnering recognition as honorable mention all-district were senior Tyree Ladet, junior Sloan Seymour and sophomore Irving Espinoza.
From the Lady Pioneers, junior Tyra Wright was selected as an All-District 6-AAA honoree while junior Megan Patch was honorable mention.
Five honorees speaks highly of the respect coaches have for the Pioneers, who finished second in the district and finished the regular season at 21-6. Coach Chris Sullens, who was named co-coach of the year with Rhea County’s Daniel Curtis, is happy his group made a strong impression on their peers.
“I’m proud of the guys who were selected by other coaches,” said Sullens. “I told the team from day one this season wasn’t about individual honors. That isn’t the reason you play a team sport. With team success comes individual praise, and I’m happy they received it after a successful season. They’re all very deserving of the honors.”
Coach Shea Panter shared a similar mindset.
“I think all of our girls worked hard this year. I’m proud Tyra and Patch were recognized by the other coaches in the district for the way they played this season,” said Panter.
Grayson, who was also an all-district honoree on the gridiron, was one of the district’s leading scorers. The senior forward averaged 17.9 points per game in eight district games, including a season-high 31 points in a comeback victory over White County at Charlie Dalton Gym. Grayson is also among the team leaders in rebounds, blocks, steals and assists.
Opposing teams often set their entire defense to stop Hobbs, but the sharp-shooting senior still found ways to break out. Hobbs had his best game at home against Rhea County, when he sank eight 3-pointers en route to a 28-point performance. Hobbs was also the team’s ultimate closer in the clutch, as his late free throws helped seal victories against Stone Memorial and White County.
A senior night performance for the ages highlighted Ladet’s season. The senior guard scored 22 points, including a game-winning putback, against Cookeville. Ladet averaged 10.6 points per game for the season, one of four Pioneers who averaged double figures.
Espinoza was the fourth, scoring 12.6 points per game this season. Espinoza led the team in scoring 10 times, the latest when he poured in 18 points to help the Pioneers beat Rhea County 65-64 on the road.
Seymour, who has sat out the last two games while dealing with a concussion, was counted on for his calming presence at point guard and length defensively. Despite primarily serving as the team’s primary ball handler offensively, Seymour was often tasked with mixing it up in the paint defensively. As a result, Seymour ranks among the team leaders in rebounds and blocks.
Wright was a pillar for the Lady Pioneers during their 1-7 run through district play. The junior post averaged 13.3 points per game in district games, her best performance coming on the final night in the regular season when she scored 24 points against White County. Wright also leads the team in rebounds and blocks, highlighted by swatting six shots against Cookeville at home.
Patch provided the outside threat to counter Wright’s post presence. Patch led the team in 3-point shooting and had several highlight shots, including a game winner against Cannon County.
The Pioneers and Lady Pioneers will be in action this weekend in the District 6-AAA tournament.
