The Lady Pioneers looked every bit like a top 10 team in Tennessee when they opened the season Tuesday night, but Danny Fish and the Pioneers will be looking forward to getting a new opponent as soon as possible.

The Warren County girls started the season with a resounding 59-13 victory over Walker Valley in a Hall of Champions matchup, but the Mustangs topped the Pioneers 66-44 in Fish's debut on the sidelines.

Anthony Lippe knows the expectations are high for his Lady Pioneers and the opener will do nothing but make people even more hyped for success. Warren County rushed out to a 40-4 halftime lead and saw point guard Sable Winfree explode for 17 points to nail down its first win. Lippe and the Lady Pioneers are hoping for at least 23 more to match last year and they'll have to stay sharp to do it.

"We played a really good first half - the press caused a lot of turnovers for us," said Lippe. "We came out in the second half and didn't play well at all - didn't score for the first five minutes and had uncharacteristic turnovers.

"Defensively, we played great. Overall, we cleaned it up, played a good fourth quarter and I'm proud of the win."

Shelby Smartt, one of five lethal seniors in Lippe's rotation, had 11 points, while Brienne Kelsey reprised her role as a sharpshooter with nine points -- all on triples.

A sweep wasn't to be for Warren County though. The Pioneers just couldn't buy a basket early against the Mustangs and fell behind 35-8 by halftime.

Coach Fish was proud of the way his Pioneers fought in the second half, where the Pioneers actually outscored the home Mustangs by five, but his first victory with Warren County will have to wait.

Nate Elrod (11 points) and Treyton Terry (10) led the offense for the Pioneers.

Both teams can make big statements this Saturday when they compete in the Hall of Champions in Manchester. The Lady Pioneers are set to face perennial powerhouses Bradley Central and York, while the Pioneers will also tangle with the Bears and square off with Ravenwood.