Every week the Pioneers get out on the court, they get better. Last weekend, the unified team from Warren County High School was the best in the state.

The WCHS Pioneers won a tournament held at Lipscomb University, going 3-0 over two days. The Pioneers won the final in thrilling fashion, beating Sycamore 19-17 in the championship.

The team, which plays competitive 5-on-5 in the Tennessee Special Olympics, was a defensive juggernaut all weekend. The Pioneers defeated the Uknighted Pioneers 22-10 in their first game, topped Sycamore 31-29 in Game 2 and then locked down again in the championship game.

Genaro Sanchez was a terror for opposing guards  on the perimeter, Jake Whitman erased shots in the paint and Evan Cary, Faith Coates and Hannah Riley played the passing lanes and cleaned the glass for the Pioneers. Talan Mullican, Rudy DeArmond and Dom Marquez helped patch the team together, serving as glue guys and gals on the court for the unified Pioneers.

Riley, Cary and Coates also showed off their skills on offense, firing it up from midrange to pile up points for the Pioneers. Sanchez was a blur in the open court, attacking the rim relentlessly. Whitman, just like on defense, did his damage in the paint, while DeArmond, Mullican and Marquez orchestrated the offense and knocked down key free throws. 

Warren County will continue to compete in Tennessee Special Olympics games throughout the spring, with hopes of bringing home more titles in state competitions.