Warriors split in Frank’s Shootout

The WCHS Warrior basketball team went 1-1 at the 2nd Annual Frank’s Shootout that took place here in Sparta. The Warriors first game of the shootout was against the York Dragons played on day two. Both teams came out looking ready to play and nearly matched each other bucket for bucket for the first half which ended with the Warriors trailing by 3. However, in the third quarter, the Dragons went on an 18-7 run which was enough to secure the win. The final score was the Warriors 49 and the Dragons 59. The York Dragons went on to win the tournament.

In the game, the Warriors’ leading scorer was Junior Lucas Dickerson with 14 which included four shots from beyond the arc. Freshman Cole Sims was a significant contributor scoring 12 with 6 rebounds and 2 steals. Junior Tripp Pinion was also all over the stat sheet with 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists.

On day 3 of the shootout, the Warriors took on the Tennessee Heat and won in dominating fashion. The game began with the Heat scoring the first 6 points but the Warriors answered and went on a 21-4 run to close out the first quarter. The second quarter was more of the same as the Warriors stretched their lead to twenty-eight with a score of 44-16 at the end of the first half. The Warriors began the third quarter right where they left off going on a 26-8 run and ultimately cruised to a big win with a final score of 86-33.

Thirteen different Warriors scored in the rout. Tripp Pinion led the way with 14 points while also accumulating 4 boards, 3 assists and 3 steals. Lucas Dickerson poured in 12 points along with 2 rebounds and 3 steals; Senior Keaton Sparkman scored 10; and Cole Sims put up 6 points with 3 assists and led the team with 7 rebounds. 

The 5-7 Warriors now shift all of their attention to district play as it begins when they travel to Smithville to take on Dekalb County on January 5th. Ten of the next twelve games for the Warriors are district matchups.