Wait till next year.
That was the mantra of Warren County High School golf coach J.W. Holt after his Lady Pioneer team finished fourth in this week’s state tournament held at WillowBrook golf course.
“This was a learning experience for our team,” said Holt. “We played well and got a feel for the big stage. It can only help us going forward.”
Warren County – featuring freshman Hannah Powell, sophomore Saylem Powell and junior Brittany Myers – went into the final day of competition in a three-way tie for first, but a rough outing Wednesday dropped the Lady Pioneers three spots in the standings.
Science Hill – one of two teams tied with Warren County going into the final day – won the event with a combined team score of 309. Rossview was second at 316, while Farragut edged the Lady Pioneers for third with its 328 team score.
Warren County finished the two-day event with a team score of 329, consisting of Hannah Powell’s 164 and Saylem Powell’s 165. The scores were good enough to place the Powells in the top 20 in the individual portion of the tournament. Myers turned in a two-day score of 176.
The Lady Pioneers started play Wednesday with a chance to win the tournament title, but a rough start – coupled with Science Hill’s top duo playing well - doomed any chances of a championship.
Hannah began her day with a birdie on No. 2, but things began to slip for the freshman following her good start. Hannah shot 80 on the first day – tied for third  in the individual tournament – but finished the second day at 84.
Saylem had a similar day as the sophomore couldn’t duplicate the magic from her front nine on the first day. After firing a 38 on the front nine Tuesday, Saylem was plus-19 for the rest of the tournament.
Myers couldn’t seem to string together a solid round either day as she finished 29th in the tournament. The oldest member of the Lady Pioneers was disappointed with the finish, but believed her team was great all year.
“I struggled putting more than anything, so needless to say I wasn’t pleased with my play,” said Myers. “I am proud of us as a team for being able to work together and accomplish what we did. My goal is to repeat this season’s success and pair it with a better finish at the state tournament.”
The Lady Pioneers finished the year as the District 6-AAA and Region 3-AAA champion, along with winning three tournaments throughout the season. It was at the Murfreesboro tournament – one the Lady Pioneers won over a stacked field – that coach Holt believed his team realized its potential.
“When we won in Murfreesboro and all three girls shot in the 70s, I think people took notice,” said Holt. “Our girls had a great year and we’re looking forward to next season.”
Hannah, who was named the District 6-AAA player of the year despite as a freshman, got a good look at two players who could be her biggest rivals the next three years.
Hannah was paired with freshman Aubree Jones from Brighton Tuesday – the winner of the individual tournament with a two-day score of 148 – and played in the same pairing with Science Hill freshman Addison Baggarly Wednesday. It was Baggarly’s round of 72 Wednesday, matching Jones’ performance from Tuesday as the best single round in the tournament, that secured the state championship for Science Hill.
 Rounding out the top five of the individual tournament was senior Samantha Griffith from Ooltewah (second with 149), Baggarly (third, 152), Daniel Boone senior Haley Wagner (fourth, 153) and Rossview freshman Caroline Caudill (fifth, 157).