Turnham announces 2026-27 roster
Brent Carden photo - Cortlyn Porter is one of many contributors back for the Lady Pioneers in 2026-27.
The climb back toward relevance continued last season for the WCHS Lady Pioneers. Now, the next challenge for coach Kyle Turnham is proving Warren County can sustain it.
After finishing 14-12 last winter and delivering just the program’s fourth winning season in the last 26 years, the Lady Pioneers are bringing back a roster filled with continuity, youth and growing expectations entering the 2026-27 campaign.
Warren County released its new roster Friday, unveiling a 28-player group that mixes returning all-district talent with experienced varsity contributors and another wave of accomplished young players moving into the program.
The senior class will help anchor the team as Addison Steakley, Aubrey Oleksik and Harmoni Kennerly all return after gaining major varsity experience during last season’s breakthrough year.
Steakley enters her final season coming off a District 9-4A all-defensive selection after averaging 8.1 points per game and scoring in double figures 11 times. Kennerly also emerged late last year as one of the team’s top spark plugs off the bench, while Oleksik bring additional veteran leadership and versatility back to the lineup as a multi-year starter. Chloe Wanamaker is also a part of the senior class, though an ACL injury suffered in flag football - and subsequent surgery last week - could keep her out of all sports until February.
The senior class also gained an addition with the arrival of Katie Bechtel, a transfer from Boyd Christian. Bechtel already owns an offer from Roane State Community College and enters the season with more than 100 varsity games of experience. She averaged over nine points per game last winter while serving as one of Boyd’s top perimeter scorers and playmakers, earning TSIAA All-Tournament and NACA All-Tournament honors during her career.
The junior class is headlined by all-district standout Brynlee Chisam, who emerged as one of the toughest two-way players in the district last season while averaging 9.3 points per game. Chisam hit the game-winning overtime 3-pointer in Warren County’s district road win at Shelbyville and routinely guarded opposing top scorers throughout the year.
Joining Chisam in the junior class are returning contributors Cortlyn Porter and Presley Winfree, both of whom gained varsity experience last season and could see expanded roles this winter.
The sophomore class may ultimately determine the long-term ceiling of the program. Returning players include Addison Cantrell, Izzy Geesling, Dorlia Haycox, Zara Laxson, Karsyn Mathis, Harper Patrick, Reese Reinitz, Maelee Turner, Baylee Vincion, Briar Williams and Kate Williams.
Patrick already earned a varsity start as a freshman last season, while Reinitz and Turner are expected to make impacts after injuries sidelined both throughout the 2025-26 campaign.
The freshman class also arrives with plenty of winning experience. Tenlee Medley was the tourney MVP during Centertown’s unbeaten WCEBA run last winter, while Willa Denning earned an Upper Cumberland MVP award after earning an invite to an all-star game following a dominant year with the Lady Warriors. Ansley Pepper, part of a trio from Centertown to make the squad, also played a major role in the Lady Warriors’ dominance.
Former WCMS standouts Maddie Bryant, Kinsley Simpson, Anna Templeton and Christy Farmer are also joining the high school roster after already spending years competing inside the Lady Pioneer system at the middle school level.
Additional newcomers to the program include Aubrey Alford and Emmalin Lyle.
Aubrey Oleksik, Willa Denning and Katie Becthel, pictured, all are part of the 2026-27 WCHS Lady Pioneer roster.
