It was hard to tell White County came limping into Tuesday night’s district matchup against Warren County on a two-game losing skid.
The Pioneers played at full tilt and gave an inspired effort, but it wasn’t enough to capture a win on the road as White County earned a 76-60 win in Sparta.
Sloppy passing and an abundance of turnovers ultimately doomed the Pioneers, even though they played with great intensity. Jacob Reagan led the way with a team-high 14 points and Kendall Rutledge added nine.
White County was able to wear down the Pioneers and force turnover after turnover with an active half-court trap. The Warriors employed an interesting strategy with their tall, lanky defenders up top, and point guard Devon Davidson roaming the paint.
The game plan worked as the Pioneers were unable to pass over the taller defenders and either threw the ball out of bounds or to White County players.
Despite Warren County’s struggles, the game was still in reach at the half as the Warriors led 36-27. In fact, it could have been much closer.
The Pioneers failed to convert from the free throw line with two one-and-one situations just before the half. Conversely, White County did convert its two one-and-one opportunities to maintain breathing room.
The difference came in the third quarter when White County outscored the Pioneers 24-8. The Warriors displayed so much quickness and athleticism on the perimeter, Warren County went several minutes without even getting a shot.
During one stretch, the Pioneers turned it over twice in the post, had a bad pass at the top of the key, and then threw the ball away in the corner. Those miscues allowed White County to start the second half on a 13-3 run.
Pioneer point guard Mitchell McCorkle played well in the opening half as he created offense with dribble penetration. McCorkle drove down the middle of the lane for baskets twice, and kicked the ball out to Reagan for a wide open 3-pointer on another occasion.
Hunter Daniel scored eight points, while McCorkle and Nick Simmons added six each. Hunter Adams scored five, Tucker Smith and Lee Carden had four each, and Mac Britton and Thomas Locke had two each.
White County’s Kane Young blistered the nets for a game-high 26. Davidson added 13.
The loss drops Warren County to 2-4 in the district and 13-13 overall. White County improves to 3-2 and has swept the season series with the Pioneers.
Warren County returns to the friendly confines of Charlie Dalton Gym for a game tonight against Cannon County. The Pioneers won the meeting earlier this year in Woodbury, 61-44.