The Warren County Pioneers cemented a third-place finish with a 68-61 win over the Cumberland County Jets in the District 6-AAA Tournament in Cookeville on Tuesday night.
The Jets soared to great heights in the first two regular-season meetings between these two teams. The Jets pulled off a two-point win in McMinnville on Dec. 4 and a three-point win Jan. 30 in Crossville.
The Pioneers got their revenge Tuesday night and it took all four quarters. The Pioneer defense grounded the Jets late in the game and Warren County pulled away at the free-throw line.
Isaiah Grayson led all scorers with a game-high 24 points. Grayson attacked the Jet defense and scored in all four quarters. He shot a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line in the final period.
Cade Smith led Cumberland County and was right on Grayson’s heels with a 23-point night.
WCHS head coach Chris Sullens said, “I am very proud of my team and their performance tonight.”
The Pioneers led 53-52 with 4:49 to play. Lorenzo Wilson brought the ball into the front court and appeared to pull up short of the 3-point line. The small hesitation froze the defender and Wilson changed direction and blew past the Jet defense and scored. The Pioneers led 55-52.
Cumberland County missed and the Pioneer defense rebounded the ball. The Warren County offense cleared the lane for Wilson. Trevor Gaines went up top and the duo executed a perfect screen-roll pass down the center of the lane. Gaines scored easily underneath and Warren County led by five, 57-52, the Pioneers’ largest lead of the half.
Nolan McClain responded for Cumberland County and got inside the Pioneer defense for two easy points and timeout was called with 3:56 to play.
Grayson was fouled on his way to the basket and knocked down a pair of free throws for a 59-54 Pioneer lead.
Cumberland County went to work and Josh Dykes picked up the foul on his way to the basket. Dykes shot a perfect 2-of-2 and the Jets trailed 59-56.
The Pioneers were left open from outside and missed a long 3-pointer. The Jets controlled the rebound and Smith from Cumberland County scored in the lane. The Pioneer lead was cut to one, 59-58.
A Warren County turnover forced coach Sullens to call timeout with 2:23 to play. Out of the timeout, Chance Hobbs deflected the inbounds pass and the ball went out of bounds off Cumberland County.
Lorenzo Wilson immediately drove past his defender and hit in the lane and Warren County led 61-58.
Silas Clark was open momentarily and he was fouled inside. The shot dropped and the lead was one, 61-60 with a chance to tie from the free-throw line. The lead hinged on the free throw and the shot was up, and no good.
The Pioneers rebounded and ran the floor. With numbers the ball was dumped to Gaines. He went up strong and the ball popped back out. Luckily for Warren County Gaines was there for the rebound and putback. The lead was back to three, 63-60.
With 1:07 to play, McClain was sent back to the free-throw line. He only connected on the front end of the 1-and-1. The Jets trailed 63-61.
After Warren County missed two foul shots, Clark was fouled inside the Pioneer defense. He missed the first shot of the 1-and-1 and Holden Baker tracked down the loose ball. Baker was injured and left the game with :22 to play.
Isaac Golden went to the free-throw line and buried both free throws and the Pioneers led 65-61.
The Jets needed four points and a desperation 3-pointer went off the front iron. The Pioneers rebounded and Chance Hobbs was fouled with :14 to play. He knocked down the first of two shot and Warren County led 66-61.
The second shot missed and the Jets ran the floor and another long 3-pointer missed and Grayson rebounded. He went to the free-throw line with :06 to play and buried a pair of free throws and Warren County led 68-61.
Time expired with Warren County on top 68-61 and the third time was indeed a charm for the Pioneers.
Sullens added, “It was a good win and we have more basketball to play. We look forward to playing Bradley Central on Saturday.”
The Pioneers travel to Bradley Central on Saturday for a first-round regional tournament matchup with the game scheduled for 7 p.m. Eastern and 6 p.m. Central time.
PIONEER SCORING – Isaiah Grayson 24, Trevor Gaines 16, Holden Baker 10, Lorenzo Wilson 8, Isaac Golden 4, Chance Hobbs 4, Logan Wilson 2
JET SCORING – Cade Smith 23, Silas Clark 12, Lee Hale 6, Alex Dixon 5, Josh Dykes 5, Nolan McClain 3, Ryan Graham 3, Jordan Graham 2, Drew Vaden 2.