Papa John’s Classic to open tonight
Warren County High School’s basketball squads are ready for a busy holiday weekend, as they play host to the Papa John’s Classic today and Saturday at Charlie Dalton Gym.
Action begins today at 4 p.m., with Riverdale’s girls and boys taking on Rossview. At 7 p.m., the Lady Pioneers (1-1) face Harpeth Hall, a squad that coach Ann Eades said has a history of success.
“Harpeth Hall has a tradition,” she said. “They go to the state tournament every year, they’ll be well-disciplined, and we’ve got our hands full — we’ll have them full both nights.”
Coach Doug Keil’s Pioneers wrap up tonight’s action, taking on the Smyrna Bulldogs. Like WCHS, the Bulldogs are off to a 2-0 start this season, including Monday night’s 55-49 win over perennial District 7-AAA power Oakland.
“Smyrna is a great ball club,” Keil said.”They’ve got some size that will be a challenge for us. I know that we’re going to have to come out and fight to have a chance to win.”
Saturday, Riverdale’s girls open up against Harpeth Hall, followed by a matchup between the Warrior boys and Smyrna. Warren County’s squads will then take on Rossview, a new school from Clarksville, in a doubleheader to wrap up the weekend’s events.
“Rossview is in their second year, and I understand they’ve got a couple of transfers that have come in to help their program,” Eades said. “They’re supposed to be loaded with quickness, too.”
Eades said her team is looking forward to staying at home this weekend and competing against some quality competition.
“It gives us a chance to stay off the road, and we get to see two teams that have never been here,” she noted. “We’re hoping for a good crowd, and looking forward to a good week.”
Keil and Eades also agreed that they’ll be taking time during the Classic to get a look at Riverdale’s squads, as they prepare to take on the Warriors and Lady Warriors in district action later this season.
“That’s always fortunate, to get to scout them a little bit,” Keil said. “They probably won’t have all their players out because of football, but we can get an idea of what they’ve got.”