A district title is still in reach for the Pioneers, but Warren County won’t hoist the District 6-4A title with an unblemished record this year.

Franklin County snapped Warren County’s four-game winning streak Friday, beating the Pioneers 51-48 at Charlie Dalton Gym. It was the first loss for Warren County in district play, dropping the group to 3-1 but not changing its path to the crown. The Pioneers can still clinch the regular-season title by beating Shelbyville and Coffee County this week, with those games coming on Tuesday and Friday, respectively.

Warren County (11-14) had a chance to put a stranglehold on the district standings Friday, but couldn’t come up with another clutch win down the stretch. Just three days after running by the Red Raiders in overtime on the road, the Pioneers looked destined for more extra time or a buzzer-beating victory at home.

After trailing by as many as seven in the fourth quarter, Warren County had the deficit down to 50-48 with :49 left. Treyton Terry, who had a team-high 12 points, went on the attack after the Pioneers dribbled 20 seconds off the clock, but was stripped before he got to the back.

Warren County was forced to foul with 16.9 seconds left, but the Rebels left the door open by splitting a pair of freebies.

Down by three, the Pioneers tried to free up sharpshooter Sawyer Seymour, but the Rebels were swarming at the arc. Seymour’s desperation heave over two defenders falling short at the horn as the Pioneers lost for just the second time in January.

Seymour and Alex van Vuuren led the late charge, with each hitting key 3-pointers in a 7-2 run to give the Pioneers a chance in the final minute. Devin Fish also had a key steal, setting up one of three chances the Pioneers had to tie or take the lead in the final 90 seconds.

Warren County gets back to action this Monday with a rivalry game against Sparta at home. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Pioneer scoring – Treyton Terry 12, Sawyer Seymour 11, Devin Fish 8, Alex van Vuuren 6, Nate Elrod 5, Keyton Reno 2, Aaron Templeton 2, Braylon Grayson 2