Looking Ahead to WCHS Basketball with Coach Eric Mitchell

After 22 seasons leading the White County Warriors, head coach Eric Mitchell has experienced just about everything high school basketball can throw at a program.

District championships. Region championships. Substate appearances. A trip to the TSSAA State Tournament in 2023. And countless memorable nights inside one of the Upper Cumberland’s most intimidating basketball environments.

But as Mitchell prepares for his 23rd season in Sparta, he’s dealing with something entirely new. His two best basketball players are still chasing a football state championship.

Senior guards Cole Sims and Tucker Pinion have been instrumental in White County’s historic 11-0 football season, leaving Mitchell without approximately 40 points per game as the Warriors prepare to open their basketball schedule.

It’s an unusual challenge, but one Mitchell is more than willing to navigate. After all, the alternative would mean the football team’s remarkable season had already ended.

“If you’d have told me 10 years ago that we’d be 11-0 and fixing to make a run at a state championship, I’d have told you that was crazy,” Mitchell told Tri-Star Sports Network during an Inside the Locker Room interview.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the early portion of the schedule, Mitchell believes this could become one of his more exciting basketball teams in recent years. The Warriors return experienced scorers, feature several promising younger players, and have developed a perimeter-oriented offense designed to compensate for their lack of traditional size.

“We’re tough, we’re athletic, and they’re going to give it everything they’ve got,” Mitchell said.

And once the Warriors get everyone back on the hardwood, Mitchell believes they could be difficult to handle. White County finished 20-11 last season, a respectable record that included impressive wins over Cannon County, Liberty Creek and Smith County.

The Warriors defeated Smith County twice, an accomplishment made even more impressive by the Owls’ eventual appearance in the TSSAA State Tournament. But the overall record didn’t tell the entire story.

White County struggled through District 7-AAA competition, finishing 2-6 in league play before going 1-3 in postseason games. The season ended with a hard-fought loss to Cumberland County in the region semifinals at Watertown. Mitchell believes the Warriors were closer to competing with the district’s best teams than their record suggested.

“Our district is just so tough and so well coached,” Mitchell said. He pointed to several tightly contested games against Cumberland County and other district opponents that could have changed the standings with a few different possessions.

The Warriors were solid defensively throughout much of the season, but inconsistent offensive production sometimes proved costly. Mitchell believes that will be one of the biggest differences this winter.

“This year, we score the ball better than we did last year,” he said. That’s an encouraging statement considering the amount of offensive production returning to Sparta.

White County graduated four seniors from last year’s team: Mason Steele, Lukas Smith, Davion Baird and Noah Skieth. Steele and Smith were athletic starters who provided defensive toughness and leadership, while Baird and Skieth contributed valuable depth and effort in practice. Mitchell praised all four for their coachability and commitment to the program.

Despite those departures, he estimates the Warriors return approximately 90 percent of their offense. And much of that production begins with two familiar names. Senior point guard Cole Sims led White County in scoring last season, while senior shooting guard Tucker Pinion was right alongside him.

According to Mitchell, both averaged approximately 19 to 20 points per game. Sims provides the Warriors with an explosive ball handler who can penetrate defenses and create scoring opportunities.

“Nobody can stand in front of Cole Sims,” Mitchell said while discussing the Warriors’ offensive capabilities.

Pinion brings versatility to the backcourt, with the ability to attack the basket, finish through contact, and knock down perimeter shots. Both are three-year starters who have played together for years. They’re also two of the driving forces behind White County’s undefeated football season.

Pinion has directed the offense at quarterback, while Sims has been a major contributor in the Warriors’ running game. Mitchell understands how valuable both are to his basketball program.

“Cole and Tucker are my two best players, and they’re the quarterback and running back,” he said. Their leadership, physical toughness and competitive nature will be central to White County’s basketball expectations. The challenge is simply getting them back in uniform.

While Sims and Pinion headline the returning group, Mitchell believes several other players could play important roles. Senior Jackson Carpenter gives the Warriors one of their most dangerous perimeter shooting threats. Carpenter’s ability to knock down three-pointers forces opposing defenses to account for him whenever he steps onto the floor. Mitchell said teams frequently have to face-guard Carpenter because of his shooting ability.

“He’s one of the best shooters that’s come through here,” Mitchell said.

Junior Kolton Norris has also made significant strides. Norris was particularly effective rebounding during summer competition, regularly reaching double figures on the glass. His development will be important for a White County team that doesn’t have an abundance of size.

Junior Griffin Adams and sophomore Eli Sims bring another element Mitchell values tremendously: physical toughness. Both are strong, aggressive players who compete for rebounds, loose balls, and extra possessions. “They’re going to get those 50-50 balls,” Mitchell said.

Senior Jack Walker provides another experienced body and has shown improvement offensively. Together, those players give Mitchell a foundation of experienced contributors who understand his expectations and the demands of competing in District 7-AAA.

White County’s official 2026–27 roster lists 22 players, including a substantial group of freshmen and sophomores. Mitchell believes several younger players have the potential to become important contributors, particularly with so many football players currently unavailable.

Freshman Tate Pinion is among those drawing attention. Mitchell hopes the younger Pinion can bring the same toughness and competitive spirit to basketball that he has displayed on the football field.

Freshman Carson DeLong, who stands approximately 6-foot-4, offers size and shooting ability. Mitchell has also been impressed with freshman Kyson Taylor, whose father previously played for him.

Among the sophomores, Ben Walker, Blane Floyd, Matthew Haley and Zander Simmons are competing for opportunities. Floyd has impressed defensively, while Haley and Simmons offer additional size and physical presence. Mitchell believes the freshman class has considerable potential, although several members are also involved in football. The absence of those athletes has created additional opportunities for the players currently practicing. And Mitchell likes what he’s seeing.

He praised the effort, attitude, and competitiveness of the group through the opening two weeks of practice. The Warriors will need that development to continue as they navigate an early schedule without several of their most experienced players.

White County’s football success has created excitement throughout Sparta, and Mitchell is enjoying watching his basketball players contribute to something special. But the extended playoff run has also complicated basketball preparation. Mitchell said approximately eight players have been unavailable during the opening weeks of practice. That includes Sims and Pinion, who account for a substantial portion of the team’s returning offensive production.

The Warriors could begin the season without those players for several games, depending on how far the football team advances. Mitchell said the physical transition from football to basketball typically takes approximately two weeks.

The move from grass to hardwood places different demands on the feet, legs, and conditioning of athletes. That adjustment period could push White County’s full basketball preparation well into December.

Still, Mitchell sees significant value in having football players involved in his program. Throughout his coaching career, some of his best basketball teams have featured tough, physical football players who brought a competitive edge to the hardwood.

He mentioned former Warriors such as Cade Clark, Devin Davidson, Tripp Pinion, JoJo Armstrong and J.J. Taylor as examples of athletes who contributed to that culture. Mitchell believes those athletes often provide a level of physicality and toughness that can help a basketball team compete against more talented or bigger opponents.

This season, however, the challenge is different because his two leading scorers are also among the football team’s most important players. Mitchell hopes the Warriors can navigate the opening portion of the schedule and begin finding their rhythm once everyone returns.

“Hopefully we’ll be hitting our stride come January,” he said.

Mitchell isn’t pretending his team has the size to match up physically with every opponent in District 7-AAA. In fact, he’s quite open about the Warriors’ limitations. White County will frequently face teams with significantly taller frontcourts, particularly against opponents such as Upperman. But Mitchell believes his team has enough athleticism, strength, and perimeter shooting to create matchup problems of its own. The plan is simple. Spread the floor. Attack the basket. Knock down three-pointers. Pressure the basketball. And make opponents play at White County’s pace.

“We’ve got to beat strength with speed and knocking down threes,” Mitchell said. During summer competition, Mitchell saw how difficult the Warriors could be to defend when all five players on the floor were capable of shooting from beyond the arc. Sims can break down defenders off the dribble. Pinion can score inside and outside. Carpenter stretches defenses with his shooting. And the supporting cast provides additional perimeter options and physical toughness.

Mitchell intends to push the tempo and apply defensive pressure throughout games. He said the Warriors plan to press on virtually every possession. The emphasis on strength has also been significant. Players not participating in football have been lifting weights three times per week since the summer dead period. Mitchell said the consistent participation has produced one of his physically strongest teams in recent years.

“We’re really stronger than we’ve ever been,” he said. That added strength could be especially important when the Warriors face taller opponents around the basket.

Mitchell entered summer basketball knowing the Warriors had talent. What he didn’t know was just how effectively the pieces would fit together. By the end of the summer, his optimism had grown considerably. White County closed its summer competition with impressive performances against Maplewood and Davidson Academy at a BCAT event.

Against Davidson Academy, the Warriors faced a team featuring a 6-foot-11 center. With Sims standing approximately 5-foot-10, White County faced a considerable size disadvantage. But the Warriors countered with quickness, ball movement, and perimeter shooting. Mitchell said White County was able to knock down a barrage of three-pointers. The performance reinforced his belief that the Warriors can be effective without a traditional post presence.

“We just had a fantastic summer,” Mitchell said. He has been equally encouraged by the players currently participating in preseason practices. Mitchell described this group as one of his better shooting teams in recent years. Now the challenge is translating that summer success into consistent performances during the regular season.

White County’s path to a district championship won’t be easy. Mitchell considers District 7-AAA one of the strongest basketball districts in Tennessee, and he believes the competition could be even more demanding this season. Upperman, Cumberland County, Stone Memorial and Livingston Academy all present significant challenges. Livingston Academy returns experienced talent and should be motivated to improve on last season. Cumberland County advanced deep into postseason competition and remains a formidable opponent. Stone Memorial continues to field competitive teams capable of challenging anyone in the district. But Upperman has particularly caught Mitchell’s attention.

The Bees have added several transfers, and Mitchell believes their combination of size, experience, and talent could make them exceptionally difficult to beat. Mitchell expressed concerns about Tennessee’s current transfer rules and their impact on competitive balance in high school basketball. He acknowledged that Upperman has operated within the rules while questioning whether the broader system benefits traditional high school competition.

Regardless of the challenges, he believes White County has the competitiveness to make life difficult for district opponents. The Warriors may not have the size or depth of some of their rivals, but Mitchell expects his team to compete with physicality, effort, and confidence. And he isn’t backing away from the challenge.

White County opens its season on the road at Cannon County before facing Warren County, Van Buren County, York Institute and DeKalb County during the early portion of its schedule. Those games could be particularly challenging if the Warriors remain without their football players. Mitchell specifically mentioned Van Buren County as a dangerous opponent, highlighting the talent of Callyn Sullivan and Ty Measles.

The early schedule should provide valuable opportunities for White County’s younger players to gain experience. Mitchell understands there could be growing pains. But he also believes December provides an opportunity to develop chemistry, establish rotations, and prepare for the games that matter most in January and February. His goal is to have the Warriors playing their best basketball when district competition begins to determine postseason positioning. Mitchell arrived at White County in 2004 after previous coaching stops at Pickett County and Loudon.

Now entering his 23rd season leading the Warriors, he has built a career filled with memorable moments. District and region championships. Substate appearances. A trip to the state tournament in 2023. And countless nights inside Roy Sewell Gymnasium when the atmosphere seemed to lift the Warriors to another level.

Mitchell remembers being told about the famous roar of the White County crowd when he first arrived in Sparta. It didn’t take long for him to understand.

“There’s no place like White County,” Mitchell said. He compared the atmosphere inside Roy Sewell to Neyland Stadium when the crowd gets rolling. “I’ve been very blessed to have great kids, great fans, and I’ve got to hear that roar a lot,” Mitchell said.

More than two decades after arriving in Sparta, Mitchell says he wouldn’t want to coach anywhere else. And with another promising group preparing for the season, he’s hoping to give Warrior fans plenty more reasons to make some noise.