Camps start for high school squads
Coach Danny Fish is looking to revamp his varsity roster this summer.
Summer may be the time to hang out by the pool for most high school kids, but for the Pioneers and Lady Broncos, this week was the perfect time to get back in the gym. And it won't be long before the Lady Pioneers and Boyd Broncos join them.
The WCHS boys team opened its summer schedule Tuesday at Coffee County, dropping games to Green Hill and Stewart County as coach Danny Fish began the process of evaluating a roster that looks dramatically different from the one that won 21 games last winter.
Green Hill topped the Pioneers 59-35 in the opener and Warren County followed with a 53-42 loss to Stewart County. And while the results weren’t what Warren County will want when the season began, coach Fish knows the biggest lessons from Day 1 of summer won’t come from win-loss records.
"We had signs in the second game today of what we could be. The biggest takeaway from today is game speed," said Fish.
The summer is expected to be one of transition for the Pioneers, who must replace seven seniors who played the majority of the team's minutes over the last two seasons. Among those losses are three college signees in 2026 District MVP Keyton Reno, 2025 District MVP Devin Fish and Motlow signee Corban Felton. Reno also signed with Motlow, while Fish will continue his career at LaGrange College.
"We had four practices (before camp) and we have a long way to go. We have to find our identity. The energy has been good and the defense will get after it," said Fish. "Offensively, ‘How?’ and ‘Who?’ are the questions. We're going to get everyone minutes this summer and see what shakes out."
One encouraging sign was the return of Canaan Parris, one of the team's few players with significant varsity experience. The rising senior was able to see action Tuesday after suffering an ankle injury a few weeks ago. Kristopher Robledo, another rising senior guard, was one of the team's most productive offensive players, scoring 10 points against Stewart County while showing confidence from beyond the arc.
Big men Silas Murphy, Eli Davis and Alex Perez also flashed in the paint, while Dom Robinson, Maddux Baker, Anden Green and Christian Munoz were among the young guards looking to make their mark and push for playing time in the varsity rotation.
Warren County used a 13-player rotation in both games as the coaching staff continues searching for the right combinations heading into the winter. The Pioneers return to Coffee County for two more games Wednesday before traveling to Tennessee Wesleyan on Saturday for three more contests.
The Boyd Lady Broncos at MTSU’s summer camp Monday.
Meanwhile, Boyd Christian's girls began a busy summer Monday at MTSU and immediately showed signs they could once again be a factor this winter.
The Lady Broncos opened by defeating Macon County 43-36 before falling by a combined two points in losses to Eagleville, 35-34, and York 33-25.
Not surprisingly, Boyd's all-time leading scorer wasted little time making her presence felt.
Brooke Kesey led the Lady Broncos in scoring in all three games, pouring in 23 points against Macon County and adding 21 more in the one-point loss to Eagleville.
Coach Tim Page felt free-throw shooting was the difference between a 1-2 day and a possible 2-1 start.
"We probably missed 15 free throws in that Eagleville game that could've swung it, but overall I really was pleased with our defense," said Page. "This is an extremely young group of kids but their help and their communication was already at a high level. We have a chance to have another very special group."
Boyd graduated four seniors and also lost an all-conference player through transfer, putting added pressure on a talented sophomore class to contribute immediately.
Early returns were encouraging.
Madi Noll scored nine points against Macon County and controlled the boards throughout the day. Charleigh and Channing Gannon showed the ability to create offense and knock down shots, Kendall Kesling anchored the defense and Allee Willmore and Brooke Jernigan provided valuable depth.
The Lady Broncos were back on the floor Tuesday for three more games. Those results will be added when they become available.
UP NEXT: The Lady Broncos will finish four days of competition at MTSU on Friday before heading to Pigeon Forge next week. Boyd will wrap up its summer schedule with games at Murray State June 14-16.
The Boyd Broncos are scheduled to begin their summer slate Tuesday, June 9, with games against Red Boiling Springs and Whitwell in Spencer.
The Lady Pioneers are also expected to make their summer debut Wednesday at MTSU.
