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. The senior forward would add a layup and two free throws to bring her quarter total to seven. Newby, Smith and Bri Melton combined for seven points in the period as the Lady Pioneers trailed 39-33 entering the fourth.
Warren County started the final period on a big run, but the momentum swung on a questionable call on the baseline.
After the Lady Pioneers had cut the lead to 44-40 with three minutes to play, Warren County had the ball with a chance to make it a one-possession game.
Wilkinson caught a pass on the right wing and made her way to the baseline where she pulled up for a jumper. A whistle blew just as the shot fell through the net, but the shot was waved off as Wilkinson was called for an offensive foul.
The call seemed to end any hope of a comeback as Cumberland County scored the next eight points and left Warren County with a 10-point victory and in first place in District 6-AAA.
Smith scored seven points on senior night, while Newby and Melton finished with four points apiece.
Tuesday’s loss means the Lady Pioneers won’t be able to avoid the District 6-AAA play-in game next week when the District 6-AAA tournament starts in Cumberland County Thursday.
Next week’s opponent in the play-in game will be the Cookeville Lady Cavaliers, the same team Warren County will face tonight.
The Lady Pioneers conclude their regular-season district schedule in Cookeville tonight at 6 p.m.