Franklin from Williamson County came to McMinnville on Friday night and whipped the Pioneers convincingly, 75-46. Last season the Pioneers lost to Franklin on the road 78-41.
WCHS head coach Chris Sullens has said this is a young Pioneer team that will have wins and lessons. Franklin was a very effective teacher.
Franklin did about everything you would expect a high school basketball team to do. The Admirals had intense emotion and energy. They dunked the ball. They made 13 3-pointers. They made steals on defense consistently, and ran a fast-paced offense. Their head coach, Jason Tigert, said, “We had really good energy starting on our bench. We knew there would be a hostile crowd here. The energy from the bench is worth points on the floor.”
Coach Tigert said Warren County is the first team Franklin has faced this season that plays a zone defense. He said, “We found gaps, and we made inside-out 3s, which is what we want.” Franklin was effective at taking the ball in the paint and passing it back outside for 3-point shots. Noah Magee made six 3-pointers for Franklin in the first half for 18 points.
The bright spots for Coach Sullens regarding the Pioneers were Kaden Desmaris who had 8 points and Isaiah Cummings who scored 7. Sullens felt as though each of these players stepped up and showed promise for the Pioneers. Cummings got into early foul trouble that restricted his playing time in the first half. Desmaris was a tenacious rebounder and shotmaker around the rim.
The loss made the Pioneers’ season record fall to 5-3.
HEAD COACH COMMENTS
Coach Chris Sullens was quick to give Franklin credit after the game. He said, “They have plenty of guys who can shoot the basketball. Give them credit. We flat out got our butts kicked. When you get your butts kicked, you get back out and practice on Monday to get better. That is what we are going to do. That is good basketball. Credit to Franklin They whipped us on our home floor. What we told our kids is that we will get better, period. Walk out of here with your heads held high. You are part of the Pioneers basketball program. We will get better from here, I promise you.”
NEXT GAME
The Pioneers play Tullahoma at home on Tuesday after the girls’ game at approximately 7:30 p.m.
BOYS
FRANKLIN 75
PIONEERS 46
WARREN COUNTY Kaden Desmaris 8, Kaden Rutledge 8, Isaiah Cummings 7, Chance Hunter 6, Eli Kuykendall 4, Alex van Vuuren 4, Braylon Grayson 4, Hayden Collins 2, Nate Elrod 2, J.J. Brown 1
FRANKLIN Noah Magee 18, Hudson Taylor 9, Jack Medalie 9, Tom Fortner 7, Drake Mullen 7, Michael Faragalli 6, Sam Newborn 6, Myers Tschantz 4, Davis Long 3, Sam Medalie 2, Riley Jordan 2, Cooper Jordan 2
