The Warren County Pioneer basketball teams were in action in Van Buren County on Friday during a play day and it was a chance to get the feel for playing with new teammates.
The freshman team was up first and they are loaded with talented young men from Warren County Middle School, as well as Morrison, Eastside, Dibrell, and Centertown.
Right from the opening tip Sloan Seymour and Ethan Smith ran the floor with support from a speedy duo of brothers, Dillon and Logan Young. It seems the freshman team is loaded with guys who can get it up the floor far beyond these four guys. Many can also step back and pull the trigger from 3-point range if needed.
Several other from Eastside and Morrison are playing in the wing position and the post. A duo of bigs inside are Jamison Holt who loves to bang and Austin Newby who is definitely playing with a height advantage under the basket. With so much talent, it should not be a problem keeping fresh legs on the floor.
It will take some time for all this talent to learn to play together as a unit since playing against each other over the last several years. Everyone should be excited to see what happens when this group becomes one and the freshman Pioneers take the floor this fall.
The varsity Pioneers were also in Van Buren County on Friday for a full day of basketball and they played a team that only brought five players to the play day. You either have to be really good to only show up with five, or you have to desire to get better with the five you brought.
 Warren County jumped out to a large lead with point guard Isaac Golden, who is no stranger to the hardwood after leading last year’s team. He was supported by several teammates from last year’s Pioneer team. This includes sharp-shooting Holden Baker and Joelah Solomon, who can shoot from mid-range or who can get physical and bang inside. And you can’t forget Isaiah Grayson, who made an impact last year as only a freshman.
This is another group who has added more to the lineup for this upcoming season. Chance Hobbs has one of the smoothest jumpers on the team and he had a great shooting game Friday. Teams will surely have to spread the defense when he is on the floor. Wesley Jennings is another talent from the outside.
Tyree Ladet has proven he can handle the ball when called on. The Pioneers will be wide inside with Hunter Hawkins returning in the paint along with Krojhn Calbert. Others inside who can get it done and move people are McCall Turner, Lucas Patrick, and Bunker Brock.
There is lots more talent on this Pioneer floor than meets the eye, but you will have to wait and see this fall.