The Cumberland County Lady Jets spoiled what was supposed to be a celebration of three senior Lady Pioneers Tuesday night at Charlie Dalton Gym.The Lady Pioneers were defeated 55-45 on a night where Lauren Wilkinson, Bree Smith and Taylor Johnson were honored for their four-year contributions to the Warren County girls basketball program.Despite getting 25 points from Wilkinson in her second-to-last game at Charlie Dalton Gym, the Lady Pioneers failed to pick up their second win in District 6-AAA and fell to 1-6 in district and 12-16 overall.Warren County got off to a great start at home thanks to the return of Smith to the starting lineup. Smith sat out the Lady Pioneers two games last week, both losses, but came back and scored the first basket Tuesday.Wilkinson added her first points moments later on a 3-pointer from the top of the key off a perfectly executed inbound play to give Warren County a 5-4 lead.A late layup by Wilkinson, along with Jessie Newby scoring off a great pass from Smith, gave Warren County a 10-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.The Lady Jets started to pick up the pace in the second quarter as the visitors started to figure out the Lady Pioneer defense.For most of the first half, Lady Pioneer coach Erick Baird switched between zone looks to try to slow down the outside shooting of Jaclyn Reagan and Taylor Vaden.The plan worked for most of the first quarter, but Reagan broke through with a 3-pointer in the second quarter as the Lady Jets went on a big run to take the lead.Warren County was able to stay close by riding Wilkinson offensively. Wilkinson scored seven of the team’s nine points in the second quarter, including hitting another 3-pointer.Even with Wilkinson’s offense, the Lady Pioneers went into halftime trailing 22-19.Wilkinson continued her hot shooting outside by burying her third 3-pointer early in the second half.
Lady Pioneers fall to Cumberland County