Pioneers push past Warriors

By ROB NUNLEY / Sports Editor for the Southern Standard

Mark Harvey of the WCMS varsity boys puts up a shot over Centertown’s Michael Brewer during the first half of Tuesday night’s game in the Warren Lodge Christmas Tournament. (Rob Nunley photo)

Warren County Middle School’s eighth-grade boys built an early lead, then used a third-quarter run to pull away for good in Tuesday night’s 48-38 victory over Centertown in the Warren Lodge Christmas Tournament.

After seeing its 12-6 edge cut to 21-17 by halftime, WCMS applied some tough defensive pressure in the third, and Jay Hutchings turned several turnovers into easy layups, scoring 10 unanswered points over a two-minute stretch.

Hutchings gave his team a 34-19 lead, and Ethan Turner nailed a pair of 3-pointers in the period ? one to open his team’s scoring in the frame and another to close it ? as the Pioneers carried a 39-24 edge into the game’s final period.

Turner started the fourth with his third 3-pointer of the game, and the Warriors could get no closer than 14 points until the game’s closing minutes, when a seven-point run closed the gap to nine. Mark Harvey, who finished with nine points for the Pioneers, knocked down a free throw with 16 ticks left for the game’s final margin of victory.

Hutchings led all scorers with 12 points, while Turner finished with 11. Brett Patterson had eight, including a pair of 3-pointers, and Tyler Glenn scored six. Patrick Harvey added two to the Pioneers’ winning tally.

For the Warriors, Michael Brewer led the way with nine, including all six of his team’s first-quarter points. Marshall Hobbs and Matt Wilson had eight each, while Bradley Steg finished with six. Jacob Lee added five points, and Garrett Pack wound up the Warriors’ effort with two.

WCMS is slated to take on DeKalb Middle School in tonight’s semifinal round.