Second-period push lifts Pioneers

After a slow start, Warren County Middle’s junior varsity boys erupted in the second period to take a commanding lead on their way to a 40-22 win over Manchester Westwood Tuesday night.

The Pioneers trailed 4-2 after one period, but posted 19 points ? including 10 by Michael Thrower ? in the second to take a 21-8 halftime lead.

“Defensively we stepped up,” said head coach Monica Moore. “Gareth Llewellyn and Hayden Wood came off the bench and did a great job, and Tyler Glenn crashed the boards and was scrapping for some loose balls.

“(Thrower) controlled our offense against their ‘man’ defense, and he is really seeing the floor well and taking the ball to the hoop.”

Thrower finished with a game-high 18 points, and came away with four steals to help the defensive effort for the Pioneers. Glenn had a dozen points, as well as nine rebounds and four steals of his own.

Additionally, WCMS got four points from Wood, and two each from Mitchell McCorkle, J.T. Cutrell and Llewellyn, who also had five boards.

The Rockets were led by Bran Welch, who scored 11 of his 13 points in the second half. Tyler Cooper and Roel Scrofe had four each, and John Brasfield had one.

The Pioneers were in action Thursday against Shelbyville’s Harris Middle School, and will take on Franklin County North Thursday, Dec. 8. The boys will tip off first in that doubleheader, which begins at 4:30 at WCMS.