Womack the hero in freshmen’s latest win
The Warren County freshman Pioneers entertained the Blue Devils of Lebanon Thursday night and it took all 32 minutes on the clock before Warren County’s Ethan Womack gave his team the 38-35 victory at the buzzer.
The Pioneers could do no wrong in the first period. Aggressive defense and sharp shooting by Warren County’s Tyler Blair, Derrin Rogers and Jonathan Morris — who hit a 3-pointer to get things going for Warren County — put the Pioneers on top 11-4 by the end of the period.
Warren County opened the second period with a inside basket by Womack, but their offense went cold over the next two minutes. Lebanon still had no offensive rhythm in the game and Conner Burger produced all six points for the Blue Devils in the period. Morris broke the Pioneers scoring drought with a 3, as Blair and Justin Fults added baskets to give Warren County a 22-10 lead at the break.
In the third period, momentum swung towards Lebanon as the Pioneers turned the ball over several times during the first four minutes. Warren County had one point from the foul line at the 5:36 mark as Lebanon narrowed the gap to 23-19 with just under three minutes left in the period. Warren County closed out the quarter with a pair of baskets from Chase Basham to hold a 30-23 lead.
Things got interesting in the fourth period with Lebanon taking the lead after a nine-point run at 32-30 with 2:51 left in the game. Rogers tied the game for Warren County at 32-32 with 2:40 showing on the clock.
Down 34-32 with 38 ticks left in the game, Morris gave Warren County a one-point lead with a three-point play. Lebanon drove the ball downcourt and had a chance to give the Blue Devils a two-point lead but Bradley Whifed hit one and tied the game at 35-35.
Warren County worked the ball down court with 10 seconds left in the game, finding an open Womack in the right corner for the buzzer-beating, game-winning 3-pointer.
Leading the way for Warren County was Morris with 12 points. Womack hit for seven, Blair and Rogers had six points each. Basham hit for four, Justin Fults had two and Kenny Roberts added one point.
For Lebanon, Terrence Logue led with nine points, Burger had eight and Jon-Austin Ash hit for seven points.
The freshmen take on Riverdale at home Monday night, with the girls game scheduled for a 6 p.m. tipoff.