While I’m sure letters have been sent to Santa from all the local athletes, I want to lend a helping hand and add a few things for Warren County. I’ll mostly keep it topical for the winter, but since Santa only comes once a year, it may be a good time to help all sports too.

For WCHS basketball, nothing would be better than a time machine. Both the Pioneers and Lady Pioneers would benefit greatly in the present if they had the future versions of what their young players should be.

Granted, the Pioneers are still in prime position to defend their district title with the current roster, particularly with seniors Alex van Vuuren, Treyton Terry and Dylan Stepp making contributions, but it’s still hard not to want to rush to the finish line with their promising youngsters. I said it two years ago  - and I haven’t changed my stance since then – the current sophomores are probably the most well-rounded group of kids I’ve seen come in together for the Pioneers in over a decade (CJ Taylor and company were strong, but it took Dee Spates moving in from Murfreesboro to solidify that class).

Devin Fish, now averaging over 13 points per game, is blossoming into one of the best players in the area. Classmates Keyton Reno and Deashawn Adams have had big moments this season as well, including Reno’s buzzer-beating triple to beat Cannon County that is the biggest make for the Pioneers – so far. 

Add in Chance Whitlock (who is just scratching the surface on his immense potential in the post), guard Corban Felton, big post Luke Saldana and the eventual returner of uber-athletic Isaiah Robledo and that class can offer up a full starting five and key reserves for a few years.

On the girls side, it’s hard not to start thinking about the future when the JV team has nearly triple the amount of wins as the varsity team. The Lady Pioneers showed what the future could hold with wins last week in JV games against Riverdale and Cannon County. 

Seniors Miranda Medley and Lex Verge were huge in helping Warren County pick up a pair of wins in the Smoky Mountain Christmas tournament last week. Junior Bri Taylor, now back after an ankle injury, has been the team’s leading scorer this season, while her classmate Brinlee Griffith has been one of the team’s top shooters. 

If those upperclassmen were surrounded by more vets (or what the current freshmen will be in 2-3 years) then I doubt Warren County would be 3-11 right now.

For WCHS wrestling, I’m hoping they get more state bids for Christmas. Even if Santa forgets the wrestling program, I don’t think it would matter – Warren County will just go out and earn the respect it deserves.

Coach Matt Turner has been sending 3-4 kids to state for the last few years and it looks like that trend will continue in February. Zerek Keel, Xavier Simmons and JR Mares have all flashed big potential this year, while the team’s youngsters are growing up quick. District titles, region championships and state appearances could easily be the result of the Pioneer wrestling season.

As for overall WCHS athletics, I’m hoping that Christmas can deliver the path toward another state title in 2024. Ally Beneke and Lauren Slatton made sure Warren County won titles in the last two years, but they have exhausted their eligibility now. The next great Warren County athlete or team is out there, it’s just going to take finding them.

Lastly, I’d be remiss if I didn’t include my own team, the Lady Broncos. Coaching them has given me more joy and fulfillment than I could have ever asked for already, so I won’t get greedy with a Christmas list now. I just want us to get healthy and stay that way for the next three months so we can pursue TSIAA and NACA championships.

Merry Christmas everybody!