Pioneers pick up Papa John’s win

By DALE STUBBLEFIELD / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Warren County point guard Brooks Majors brings the ball downcourt while being fronted by Livingston Academy’s Shawn Gray during first-half action Friday night in the Papa John’s Classic.

Friday night Warren County’s boys basketball team picked up its third win of the year, downing Livingston Academy in the Papa John’s Thanksgiving Classic 64-45.

The first half was very even as both teams swapped baskets during the first period. Reese Bishop put the Pioneers’ first points on the board and Kyle Thompson followed with two of his own.

But Livingston’s Brandon Mathew answered with a 3-pointer to pull his team within one. Bishop and Thompson combined for 11 of the Pioneers’ first-quarter points as Warren County held a 10-6 lead with three minutes left in the period.

Mathew made it a 10-9 game with another 3, then Todd Gilley found the basket for the Pioneers to give WCHS some brief breathing room. Livingston made it a two-point game, however as Brian Colson hit with a minute left to close the period at 13-11.

Warren County turned up the defensive pressure in the second period, creating several turnovers by the Wildcats which were turned into 15 points in the second period. Livingston was held to 11 points as the Pioneers took a 28-22 lead at the break.

In the second half Warren County continued to use backcourt pressure and team speed to charge ahead of the Wildcats. Brooks Majors had back-to-back baskets at the five-minute mark, including a 3-pointer, as the Pioneers extended their lead to 33-24.

Warren County kicked the ball down low to Brandon Adcock and Josh Nunley as they each had a basket and the Pioneers built a 45-36 lead by the end of the period.

In the final period Warren County got the job done from the foul line, hitting 7-of-10 down the stretch. Brad West tried to get the Wildcats back in contention with a 3, but it was to little too late as the Pioneers picked up the 19-point victory.

For the Pioneers, Bishop led all scorers with 16 points. Thompson had 14, Majors added 11, Andrew Deason and Todd Gilley added six points each. Ross Marlowe had five, Adcock hit for four and Nunley pitched in two points.

For Livingston, Colson had 14 and Matt Reeder hit for 13 points. Mathew had eight, Brad West five, Shawn Gray four and Wesley Puckett added one point.