Beating a team three times in one season is very difficult. Just ask the Warren County High School girls basketball team.
Having won their previous two meetings with the Middle Tennessee Heat, the Lady Pioneers went to Hermitage looking for a clean sweep. Warren County left with a 46-42 loss as the Lady Pioneers continue to struggle after getting the season off to a fast start.
Warren County (10-10) began the year by winning nine of its first 12 games, but has since lost seven of its last eight.
The latest loss was the most troubling as the Lady Pioneers had defeated the Heat by a combined 20 points in the first two meetings.
Coach Erick Baird knew going into Tuesday’s game the first two meetings would have little to do with how the third game against the Heat would turn out.
“It is really hard to beat a team three times in one season and it showed on the road,” said Baird. “A lot of early threes buried us in a hole but we fought back. We just didn't execute late.”
Warren County fell behind by double figures after the first quarter as the Heat used the home rims to bury three 3-pointers in the first quarter.
Senior Lauren Wilkinson scored six of the Lady Pioneers’ eight points as the team trailed 18-8 after eight minutes.
Wilkinson continued to score in the second quarter and the Lady Pioneer defense started to show up as Warren County stormed back to take the lead.
Wilkinson put the Lady Pioneer offense on her back as she scored eight points in the second quarter despite facing constant double teams. Wilkinson was able to connect on a three-point play, pull up for a short jumper and drain a 3-pointer in the second period to keep the Heat guessing.
Warren County also found out a way to slow down the Heat on offense. The Lady Pioneers owned the glass and shut down the Heat as the home team scored two points in the second period.
By halftime, Warren County had gained a 21-20 advantage.
Following the break, two freshman Lady Pioneers began to bomb away from the outside. Bri Melton and Brittany Myers each sank 3-pointers as Warren County increased its lead to 30-26 entering the fourth quarter.
The Heat woke up in the final quarter though. After totaling just eight points in the second and third quarters combined, the Heat exploded for 20 points in the fourth.
After the Heat had taken the lead late in the game, Warren County was forced to foul to extend the game. The Heat didn’t falter at the free-throw line as the home team hit 7-of-9 from the charity stripe in the final period.
Five points from Wilkinson in the fourth and another 3-pointer from Melton weren’t enough as the Lady Pioneers lost their third straight game.
Wilkinson finished with a team-high 19 points for the Lady Pioneers. It was the 17th time in 20 games Wilkinson led the Lady Pioneers in scoring. Melton was next with nine as the freshman connected on three 3-pointers.
Warren County will try to end its losing streak tonight when the Lady Pioneers welcome White County into Charlie Dalton Gym.
The Lady Pioneers, who lost their District 6-AAA debut last Friday at Coffee County, will try to even their district record while White County will make its district debut.
Tip-off for tonight’s game is scheduled for 6 p.m.