It feels like the ball has been bouncing against the Pioneers all season. Tuesday was another test of Warren County’s resolve, with the boys seeing a gritty comeback get spoiled in the final seconds.

Tullahoma got a buzzer-beating layup to fall at home as it handed the Pioneers a 54-52 loss. It was a stunning way for Warren County to lose after it rallied from a 16-point deficit in the second half to tie things up in the final seconds.

“Our better days are in front of us. It’s just the same as it has been and we must keep grinding,” said coach Danny Fish after the team suffered its third loss by three or less in the last three weeks. “District is what means the most and we will be battle tested and prepared for whatever we will see. (We have to) Make deposits now so we can make withdrawals then.”

Fish had to be proud of his team’s fight in the fourth quarter against the Wildcats, when Warren County rallied from down 11 to start the period to tie. The lid finally came off the basket for the Pioneers in the final eight minutes, leading to squad pouring in 28 points after shooting 8-for-47 through the first three quarters.

Sawyer Seymour, who has been ripping the nets of late, hit a corner triple to kick off the rally in the fourth. Aaron Templeton followed with a tip-in, helping the Pioneers make it 37-31 with 6:45 to play.

Freshman Devin Fish cut the deficit in half moments later, splashing in another 3-pointer for the Pioneers as Tullahoma’s defense started to falter. It was a part of a coming-out party of Devin, who finished with a team-high 17 points.

The young Pioneer added a slicing layup and pull-up jumper from the free throw line later in the quarter as he found a hot hand late. It was only the start of his personal highlight reel in the final period too.

Fish had a contorting finish in the lane while being fouled with 1:31 left, tossing a leaner off the glass while going to the ground. By the time he sank the ensuing free throw, Warren County was down 50-46 with 91 seconds to play.

Coming out of a timeout, Tullahoma was able to break the Pioneer press for an easy layup, but Kaden Rutledge followed swiftly with a 3-pointer to make it a one-possession game.

Nate Elrod came up with a huge defensive stand with 42 seconds left, stuffing Tullahoma in the paint and gaining possession as Warren County got a chance to set up a play to try and tie the game. Coach Fish called a timeout with 32.4 seconds left, knowing his team needed a long ball to tie.

There were no shortages of options – Rutledge, the senior, had just hit a clutch shot seconds early, while Seymour, another senior, had knocked down 12 triples in the last 12 quarters for Warren County. The Pioneers went with the hot hand though, electing to send Devin off a double screen for the bucket.

The freshman answered the call, rocketing off the pick and hitting nothing but net on a wing 3-pointer with :15 left to tie the game. 

Tullahoma would get the final celebration though. The Wildcats got possession with 3.2 seconds left under their own goal after an offensive rebound and took a timeout to set up a final play.

Warren County worked to swarm the ball and nearly had a five-count, but Aubrey North made a heads up pass, throwing the ball off the back of a Pioneer player and grabbing the carom after stepping inbounds. He swiftly swung it under the goal to Anthony Taylor, who threw in the game winner just before time expired.

Warren County fell to 2-8 with the loss, though its last five defeats have come by a grand total of just 19 points. The Pioneers were coming off a big win Saturday, where they defeated Ooltewah 67-37. 

Seymour led the way against the Owls, scoring 19 points and hitting five 3-pointers. He finished with 13 points against Tullahoma, while Rutledge had 10.

The Pioneers will be back in action Friday at home against Cookeville. Action is set to start at 7:30 p.m.