Something about playing district games stirs up the passion in the Pioneers. Warren County, coming off its worst loss of the season just three days prior, started District 9-4A play with a bang Friday, smashing Columbia 61-36 on the road.

Treyton Terry scored a season-high 25 points, Devin Fish added 15 points and sophomore Chance Whitlock was big off the bench with eight rebounds, four points and three blocks as the Pioneers took it to Columbia on its own court. It was a statement win for the Pioneers, who were picked at District 9-4A Media Day to go back-to-back as district champions this year. Doubt could've crept in when Warren County went 6-9 before district play, but the switch seemed to flip when the Lions were on the other sideline.

The Pioneers got off to a hot start on the road, fueled by an early 3-pointer from senior Alex van Vuuren and a rare four-point play by Fish. Warren County was working hard in transition after a steal when the sophomore found an opening on the outside and launched, hitting the shot as he was knocked over from behind. Fish nailed the ensuing free throw, getting in the groove early. Van Vuuren and Whitlock helped keep the momentum with the Pioneers late in the first quarter, starting a block party on defense. Both swatted shots emphatically against the Lions, part of a six-block night for Warren County as it took command of the paint.

Aaron Templeton made sure the Lions didn't start mounting a comeback in the second quarter, slicing to the basket for a three-point play to make it 19-12 after Columbia started the period on a 6-2 run.

Terry would pad the lead at the line late in the half, hitting four straight free throws at one point to push Warren County up 25-19 at the break.

A quick 7-0 spurt after the break, featuring two free throws and a short jumper by Fish and a triple from Terry gave the Pioneers their first double-digit lead, 33-21. 

The dynamic backcourt was only getting warmed up. Terry pushed the Pioneers up 40-26 with a 3-pointer later in the period, then Fish delighted a big group of Pioneer fans who made the two-hour trip by throwing down a dunk in transition after Terry's triple. Columbia asked for a timeout immediately, but the rout was already on.

Terry closed the third quarter with a 9-0 run of his own, including a contorting finish for an and-1 right before the buzzer, helping the Pioneers lead 52-27 going into the fourth.

No comeback would be mounted as Whitlock and Deashawn Adams had late baskets to cap off the impressive win.

Warren County will try to make it 2-0 in district play Tuesday when it hosts Spring Hill. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. 

Pioneer scoring - Terry 25, Fish 15, Templeton 5, Keyton Reno 4, Whitlock 4, van Vuuren 3, Adams 2, Nate Turner 2, Corban Felton 1