Before the Pioneers could start cleaning off a spot for a banner, or plan a parade for their impending district championship, they first had to beat White County Friday on the road. The only problem - somebody forgot to make sure the Warriors were advised of the plan.

White County walloped the Pioneers 63-45 Friday, avenging two narrow losses to Warren County from earlier in the season. The loss, coupled with Cookeville beating Stone Memorial, eliminated any possibility the Pioneers would claim their first district championship in over 30 years.

"We just didn't get it done as a team," said coach Chris Sullens. "We didn't battle. They whipped us, plain and simple."

White County (11-18, 2-6) led wire-to-wire, including holding a double-digit lead the entire second half. The Warriors were up 17-10 after the first quarter, with an Isaiah Grayson's late 3-pointer being the only thing keeping the Pioneers from trailing by double figures after eight minutes.

Warren County (21-6, 5-3) had only one bright spot - an 8-0 run in the second quarter. Irving Espinoza and Chance Hobbs both hit 3-pointers before Tyree Ladet threaded the needle to Caleb Newby for layup. The run cut the deficit to 21-18. 

White County responded swiftly. The Warriors got a big boost going into the locker rooms when Dylan Reese sank a 3-pointer with seconds left for a 28-20 lead.

The Warriors opened the second half on a 14-2 run, most coming by dumping the ball in to David Kinser.  The Pioneers had no answers for the powerful post, who scored 11 points in the period and a game-high 17 points overall. Reese also had 17 points as the Warriors dominated.

Hobbs led the Pioneers with 15 points, while Grayson finished with 13. Espinoza added 9, followed by Newby and Austin Hodges with 3 each and Bunker Brock with 2.

A preview of the Pioneers' district tournament game will be in Friday's Southern Standard.