Thanksgiving Classic tips off tonight
Warren County High School’s basketball teams will be home for the holiday, as they play host to a two-day classic this weekend.
The Papa John’s Thanksgiving Classic tips off tonight at the Charlie Dalton Gym, with the Pioneers and Lady Pioneers playing host to two full nights of basketball action.
Friday night begins with a junior varsity game between the Lady Pioneers and the Riverdale Lady Warriors.
The Lady Pioneers are still looking for their first win, after dropping a pair of Hall of Fame Classic contests last week. On Tuesday, Nov. 18, coach Ann Eades’ squad fell by a basket to Upperman, 49-47, only to drop a 49-39 loss to Cannon County on Friday, Nov. 21.
In that contest, the Lady Pioneers trailed by just three points — 25-22 — before the Lionettes steadily pulled away in the second half.
“This team is young and we have a lot of work to do,” Lady Pioneer coach Ann Eades said after last Friday’s game. “We are going to have to find some heart and be able to come out here and play the second half like we play the first half.”
In other action Friday, Riverdale will take on Cleveland in a boys game scheduled for 5:30, with the Riverdale girls taking on Franklin County at 7 p.m.
The Pioneer boys will face Livingston Academy Friday night at approximately 8:30, wrapping up the first night of the Classic.
New head coach Chris Turner’s squad fell to Upperman in their first Hall of Fame Classic game of the season, but bounced back with a solid 75-44 win over Cannon County a week ago.
“I was very impressed with our effort,” Turner said after that win. “We finally played the game of basketball a little better.
“Even though we’ve still got a lot of room for improvement defensively, I’m proud of the effort from all of our guys.”
The Classic continues Saturday night, with three games on tap. At 5 p.m., Livingston Academy’s boys will face Riverdale, followed by a girls contest pitting Franklin County against the Lady Pioneers.
Cleveland will take on Warren County’s boys at approximately 8 p.m. in the final game of the two-day event.
Following the Classic, the Pioneers and Lady Pioneers will return to action Tuesday, Dec. 2, with a road trip to Tullahoma.