Santa Claus is mere hours away from making his way down the chimney and delivering a bounty of gifts to all the good boys and girls of Warren County. He’s made his list, checked it twice and will leave behind a trail of happy campers.
My unrelenting drive as a reporter led me to use this opportunity to get another inside source in the Warren County sports world. An unnamed elf, we’ll call him “Buddy,” leaked to me the wish list of many of the Warren County sports teams.
Here’s a sneak peak of what local winter coaches are hoping for as the calendar switches over.
WCHS boys basketball - Coach Chris Sullens probably isn’t going to get a magic potion to increase his team’s size “Monstars” style. So maybe the Pioneers can get a consolation prize of increased depth.
Warren County has begun the season 13-2, but those wins have come at the cost of some wary legs. The Pioneers play a frantic pace and don’t have a ton of depth.
Getting extended minutes from Raven Lewandowski, Austin Hodges or sharpshooter Eli Jones would be a boon.
WCHS girls basketball - More agreeable rims would be great for the Lady Pioneers. The Warren County girls have been plagued by some cold shooting nights early this season.
The Lady Pioneers are ahead of the curve this year with a core that will stay mostly intact next season, but a few more made shots would have the team already knocking on the door of 10 wins.
Hopefully next week’s trip to Florida dethaws the Lady Pioneers’ cold shooting.
WCHS wrestling - More participation is all Matt Turner needs.
If coach Turner gets athletes to step on the mat, he’ll turn them into productive grapplers. The Warren County wrestling team starts too many matches having to forfeit weight classes.
A proven WCMS program and budding AAU system should change that soon.
My wish list - This one wasn't as tough to get my hands on this Christmas. My sports wish list is in three parts.
• I want Kawhi Leonard to get healthy and able to play big minutes during the stretch run for the Spurs.
• I want coach Jeremy Pruitt to salvage the UT recruiting class before February's signing day.
• I want Blake Bortles to carry over being the best quarterback in the NFL in December into the postseason when the Jaguars make their first playoff appearance in 10 years.
Merry Christmas!
