Strong start lifts Lady Pioneers to win

By DALE STUBBLEFIELD / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Warren County Middle’s Allison Conner puts up a shot against Centertown’s Ashley Driver during Tuesday’s game. (Dale Stubblefield photo)

Tuesday night in the first round of the Warren County Middle School’s fifth- and sixth-grade basketball tournament, the Lady Pioneers poured in 20 first-half points to down the Lady Warriors of Centertown 37-13.

The Lady Warriors had a hard time holding on to the ball due to Warren County’s back court pressure. The Lady Pioneers turned turnovers into points as Caroline McKinley, Kimberly Warden and Kelsie Douglas combined for eight points in the first period. Katie Womack put the Lady Warriors on the board just before the quarter ended as the Lady Pioneers held a 8-2 lead.

In the second period Centertown did a better job of holding on to the ball, but had a hard time finding the bottom of the basket. Warren County’s defense continued to put pressure on the ball, giving its offense a chance to run off 12 straight points during the first five minutes of play. McKinley worked the boards for four points in the period. The Lady Warriors scored five points in the final minute of play in the first half, when Laci Varner hit from under the basket and then added a 3-pointer just before the buzzer. But the Lady Warriors trailed at the break 20-7.

Douglas opened the third period with a jumper from the paint for the Lady Pioneers. Centertown found an offensive spark as the Lady Warriors hit for six unanswered points as Varner had one basket and Annie Jones added two goals. But it would be the last points Centertown would post on the board.

Warren County scored 13 in the third period and added four in the fourth to secure the victory.

For the Lady Pioneers, McKinley led all scores with 13 points. Warden hit for six, Douglas, Kaci Lupo and Sarah Jacobs added four points each. Allison Conner and Jordan Dyer hit for two points each.

Varner hit for seven points for the Lady Warriors, while Jones had four and Kati Womack added two points.