WCHS splits at Gallatin – Pioneers use free throws to nail down victory

GALLATIN ? Warren County?s second straight win on the hardwood didn?t come without its tense moments. But fortunately for the Pioneers and the fans who made the trip to the Sumner Sports Medicine Christmas Classic, it did come, in the form of a 58-55 victory over Greenbrier.

The Pioneers, who upped their 2006 mark to 2-6 by winning their next-to-last contest of the year, never led by more than seven points throughout Thursday?s contest, and trailed 12-11 after the opening quarter when the Bobcats? Kurt Caton put back his own missed shot just before the horn.

Tied at 21-apiece with less than two minutes to play in the second quarter, the Pioneers took control just prior to the half thanks to a 5-0 run which featured a steal and layup, then a 3-pointer, from Carlzell Robinson. GHS scored on another buzzer-beater, however, and went into the half trailing Warren County 28-23.

Up by six midway through the third (their largest advantage of the second half), the Pioneers went into the game?s final stanza with a 41-37 lead, but quickly saw the Bobcats claw their way back into the game despite being called for a flagrant foul and a pair of technicals.

Emmanuel Tavares, who scored nine of his team-high dozen points in the fourth quarter, pulled GHS within a point with a pair of free throws at the 4:11 mark, but Chase Officer drove to the basket to swing momentum back in the Pioneers? favor, and Chris Weitzel ? who led all scorers with 18 ? followed with a layup to give WCHS a 52-47 edge.

Tavares scored five unanswered points, tying the score at 52-all with just 39 seconds to play, but with time running out and the Pioneers controlling the ball Greenbrier had to foul, and Jared Vanatta, Ryan Daniel and Weitzel nailed down the victory at the free-throw line, hitting six of eight attempts down the stretch.

Caton and Tavares both had 12 for Greenbrier, while Bryan May and Zach Cline finished with 10 each.

The Pioneers, who play Pope John Paul II today at 5:30, were helped to the win by Donta Weir, who scored nine of his 12 points in the first quarter, and Vanatta, who finished with 10 ? including seven free throws in the fourth. Robinson added eight, while Daniel chipped in five.