Answers emerging for Pioneers
Brent Carden photo - Anden Green is emerging at guard for the Pioneers this summer.
When the summer started, the biggest question facing the Pioneers wasn't whether they would win games. It was whether they would know who they were by the time June ended.
Replacing seven seniors and three college signees was never going to happen overnight. The departures of Keyton Reno, Devin Fish and Corban Felton alone left Warren County searching for scoring, leadership and experience. Add in injuries that limited some returning contributors throughout June and it would've been easy for the Pioneers to spend the summer simply trying to survive.
Instead, coach Danny Fish believes his team spent the last few weeks laying the foundation for what it wants to become.
"The kids are progressing - working hard and working through the hard," said Fish. "They're learning new roles and getting better at them takes time."
As the Pioneers prepare to wrap up their summer schedule at the BCAT Hoops Fest Friday, there are signs Warren County is beginning to discover its identity. One of the biggest developments has come in the paint.
Rising junior Eli Davis turned heads throughout June, emerging as one of the team's most reliable offensive options. Davis capped his summer with another standout performance Tuesday at Covenant College, scoring 15 points and grabbing five rebounds while shooting 6-of-7 from the field against Baylor.
It wasn't an isolated effort.
Davis entered the week coming off a 13-point performance in a win over Moore County and a 12-point, eight-rebound outing against Webb. Game after game, the 6-foot-plus post showed improved confidence around the basket and a growing ability to finish through contact.
The development of Davis wasn't the only encouraging sign for Warren County's frontcourt.
Fellow post player Alex Perez also put together a productive summer, displaying the versatility to score inside while stretching defenses with his perimeter shooting. Perez scored nine points against Baylor, including a 3-pointer, and continued to provide toughness on the glass and in the paint.
While the post players made strides, Warren County also found contributors around them.
Kristopher Robledo, already a trusted member of the varsity rotation thanks to his relentless defense, consistently supplied offense from the perimeter and showed the ability to create his own shot. Luke Simpson emerged as one of the team's top playmakers, combining outside shooting with the ability to facilitate for teammates. Anden Green knocked down big shots throughout June, while Isaac Smith continued to take advantage of increased opportunities.
The Pioneers also received valuable minutes from a large rotation all summer, allowing Fish and his staff to evaluate combinations and identify players capable of contributing at the varsity level.
Perhaps the most exciting development came from some of the program's youngest players.
Freshman Kingston Judkins earned increasing opportunities with the varsity squad and looked more comfortable with each appearance. Christian Munoz - back healthy from the shoulder injury that cost him valuable time last year - also continued to make an impact, helping highlight a freshman and JV group that finished 4-0 during recent summer action in Coffee County and Van Buren County.
On Wednesday, the Pioneers beat Stone Memorial 47-29 and defeated Whitwell 38-35.
"The freshmen and JV have been good and are learning the system," said Fish. "There's a bright future for our young Pioneers."
The summer wasn't without challenges.
Canaan Parris, one of Warren County's most experienced returning players, missed much of the offseason while recovering from an injury. Silas Murphy, who got off to a strong start this summer, has also sidelined this week.
Still, Fish believes the experiences gained over the last several weeks will pay dividends once the season arrives.
"Guys are learning the pace in which this team needs to play and trusting the process more is going to be crucial to our success this season," said Fish.
As Warren County heads into the final days of team camp season, the Pioneers appear to have found some answers. The squad gets one final test Friday at BCAT. Warren County is scheduled to take on Evangelical Christian School at 10 a.m. and Beech at 5 p.m.
