The win was within reach, but the Pioneers could never seize control in Franklin County.
The Warren County High School boys basketball team played from behind most of the second half and couldn’t make a late run in a 56-54 loss to the Rebels on the road.
Warren County (1-3) was always within one basket on tying or taking the lead in the second half, but the shot never seemed to fall for the Pioneers.
Even with freshman Trey Cantrell carrying the offense late, Franklin County was able to escape with a two-point win by sinking four clutch free throws in the final minute.
Cantrell caught fire in the fourth, scoring eight points in the frame and momentarily giving the Pioneers a lead. Cantrell sank a 3-pointer to put the Pioneers ahead early in the fourth quarter.
The lanky lefty also drove for a floater and hit three free throws in the quarter to try to push the Pioneers to their second win.
The great effort from the freshman wasn’t enough though as Warren County lost for the third time in four tries this season when Franklin County got two free throws each from Clayton Jackson and Matt Schmitz in the waning seconds.
It was the unlikely scoring of senior point guard D’Andre League that kept the Pioneers in the game early. League – who rarely looks for his own shot – scored 10 points in the first half while Warren County kept pace with the Rebels.
Lance Kelley - League’s senior running mate at shooting guard - had four points in the second quarter, helping the Pioneers stay within five, 30-25, going into halftime.
Warren County kept slicing into the lead after the break. Sophomore Holden Baker had six points in the third quarter – three coming at the line after being fouled on a 3-pointer and the other three coming on a long-range shot. Cantrell also hit a 3-pointer during a Pioneer run that would cut the Franklin County lead to 46-44 entering the final eight minutes.
Cantrell’s late rally gave Warren County a chance to win, but the Pioneers never got a look to tie or take the lead in the final minute. The game ended with Tyler Beaty making a layup at the buzzer for the Pioneers.
League and Cantrell led the Pioneers with 13 points apiece while Baker and Beaty added eight points each.
The Pioneers will return home Friday for a game against DeKalb County. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.