Woodland?s Warriors win opener vs. WCMS

Warren County Middle School?s boys are known for using their speed and tough defensive pressure to force opponents out of their game plan. Thursday night, however, they ran into a squad which turned the tables on them by using the same strategy.

Facing Cannon County Woodland in the opening round of the Warren Masonic Lodge Christmas Tournament, The Pioneers struggled against the Warriors? press, resulting in numerous turnovers on the way to a 34-26 loss.

Woodland was led by Justin Davenport and Austin Higgins, who scored 14 points apiece in the win. Davenport knocked down a pair of 3-pointers to open the game, and used his quickness to score several transition buckets and help turn a 12-6 first-quarter edge into a 22-14 halftime advantage.

Hunter Adams scored Warren County?s first eight points on his way to a 12-point night, but shooting struggles early in the game prevented the Pioneers from using their full-court pressure, and although they matched the Warriors? 12 second-half points with a dozen of their own, they were never able to get closer than seven down the stretch.

Jacob Reagan finished with eight points for WCMS, while Brett Mullican, Micah McColloch and Hunter Daniel had two each. Alex Higgins had six to help the Warriors? winning effort.