Three Warren County High School basketball players received honors last week from District 6-AAA coaches.
Seniors Trace Taylor and Jessie Newby and junior Brittany Myers were each named honorable mention all-district for their solid performances for the Pioneers and Lady Pioneers.
Taylor, who joined the WCHS boys basketball team before his junior season, emerged as the Pioneers’ top offensive option during his senior year. Blessed with outstanding athleticism and a knack for finishing around the rim, Taylor averaged 13.9 points per game in the nine district contests he was able to play. The senior forward missed the Pioneers’ district debut in December against Cumberland County with an eye injury.
Taylor was at his best on the road, where he scored in double figures all five games. His best outing was a career-high 22 points against the Jets. He had 19 points in games at White County and Rhea County.
First-year coach John Dillard wishes he could have more years coaching the talented senior.
“Trace has improved as much as any young man I have coached in one season,” said Dillard. “When I arrived he was an athletic player, who had little playing experience. Through hard work and excellent teaching by assistant coaches Jerry Brown and Josh Nunley, who work with post men on their individual skills every day, Trace became our go-to guy.”
“With his quickness and athleticism, he was a matchup nightmare for opponents. I wish I had more years with him and had time to improve his perimeter skills.”
Newby was the heart and soul behind a Lady Pioneer team that shocked many by winning 17 games in the regular season. Known as a defensive dynamo, Newby emerged as a top option for coach Erick Baird in the post during her senior year. Newby had three double-digit scoring games in district play while averaging 8.9 points per game in eight contests.
Significant injuries to her elbow and foot forced Newby to miss two district games late in the season, but she returned to play her final game at Charlie Dalton Gym. The Lady Pioneers would claim their second district victory with a 60-55 victory over Stone Memorial.
The first district win came in White County when the Lady Pioneers snapped a 12-year losing streak to the Warriorettes. The 51-45 victory in Sparta, when Newby and Myers each scored eight points, proved to be the only loss for White County in district play as the Warriorettes claimed the regular-season title.
Coach Baird praised the impact his senior made on the team while playing through pain.
“Jessie has really played well the whole year. She has fought through injury and, even though she wasn’t 100 percent, she always gives 100 percent effort.”
Myers was a stabilizing force for the Lady Pioneers as her senior teammate dealt with ailments. The junior guard, who showed great touch from the outside all season, averaged a team-high 11.1 points per game in district play.
Myers particularly enjoyed playing Stone Memorial. In two matchups against the Lady Panthers, Myers finished with a career-high 20 points and 16 points in last week’s victory that clinched the No. 5 seed in the District 6-AAA tournament for the Lady Pioneers.
While Myers made a big jump offensively this season, coach Baird also thought the guard made big strides defensively.
“Brittany has become a good scorer along with playing good defense. She’s risen above her nickname as a traffic cone on defense,” said Baird. “She’s becoming a leader and really got us hitting our stride heading into the postseason.”
All the all-district honorees took the court Saturday night as the District 6-AAA started in Cookeville after being postponed two nights. Results were unavailable at press time.
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