Bulldogs Tame the Green Wave - Both Girls and Boys Get Wins at Midway
On December 9, 2025, the Warburg Bulldogs went on the road to SOR. What's that you may ask? SOR is a term that stands for "South of the River" describing Midway's location in relation to rest of the county. Midway is known to be a tough opponent for the Bulldogs - with both Boys and Girls going 0-2 against Midway a year ago. To quote my good friend Cale Crouch, "I've been coming to Midway to watch basketball for many seasons, and I don't remember ever walking away with a win." I hate to paint a bleak picture - but heading out to SOR has proven to be somewhat of an Achilles heal for Wartburg... so how did it go down?
First up was the Boys JV. The (1-1) JV took the floor with a pretty good crew of athletes - led by sophomore standouts Noah "Psych" Ward, Reid Quinney, and the suddenly surging freshman "Jack Attack" Seay. The game went well for 3 quarters - with a tight score of 30-29 at the end of the third... but then the wheels fell off the wagon as the Green Wave dialed up the pressure with a full court press that the Bulldogs struggled breaking... It's hard to get outscored 19-4 in any quarter and win... but the 4th quarter especially. Seay led scoring with 11 points, Ward chipped in 7, Caleb Armes with 6, and Reid Q had 5... Green Wave JV take the win - 49-33.
Next up was the 1-4 Lady Bulldogs. They were coming off of 2 very tough losses where they played lights out for 3 quarters only to run out of steam in the 4th. One might wonder if that would be their routine this season with the short bench. But they came into this one with that fearless determination once again. The Lady Bulldogs have some things to clean up... Their shooting was off - both from 3 (1-14) and from the free throw line (12-25)... They were outscored in three of the 4 quarters... But let me tell you about the 2nd quarter. It was a frustrating quarter for the Green Wave as the Bulldogs smothered them with defense and had them frustrated to the maximum - even drawing a technical foul at one point. They absolutely smoked them Green Wave 14-2. That big swing in that one quarter gave them enough of a lead to live on for the rest of the game. The Lady Bulldogs came out on top 49-46 with an upset special that felt so right! Ladies jump to 2-4!
Last up was the 4-1 Bulldogs. They are looking poised for a great season all the way around. Midway was looking to spoil the Bulldogs' win streak. They clearly practice some game-isms... For instance, at one point Midway sent one of their post players in and had him stand midcourt with his hands on his knees while they brought the ball down the court. The ballcarrier then tried to use him to pick the defender (Jayden Pemberton) away. When Jayden collided with the boy - the ref blew the whistle and called it illegal. The coaches erupted, arguing that he was simply resting with his hands on his knees. C'mon man! Just play ball! They even continued to argue at halftime on the legality of setting a player in the middle of the court with his hands on his knees... sheesh... The Bulldogs rode the hot hand of Paxton Quinney to victory with his career-high of 28 points. They slammed the door on the Green Wave 69-61 - and the Bulldogs look like serious contenders for the best in the area - improving to 5-1.
Below are a few thoughts meant to encourage some of our young athletes that went above and beyond against Midway:
First up was the Boys JV. The (1-1) JV took the floor with a pretty good crew of athletes - led by sophomore standouts Noah "Psych" Ward, Reid Quinney, and the suddenly surging freshman "Jack Attack" Seay. The game went well for 3 quarters - with a tight score of 30-29 at the end of the third... but then the wheels fell off the wagon as the Green Wave dialed up the pressure with a full court press that the Bulldogs struggled breaking... It's hard to get outscored 19-4 in any quarter and win... but the 4th quarter especially. Seay led scoring with 11 points, Ward chipped in 7, Caleb Armes with 6, and Reid Q had 5... Green Wave JV take the win - 49-33.
Next up was the 1-4 Lady Bulldogs. They were coming off of 2 very tough losses where they played lights out for 3 quarters only to run out of steam in the 4th. One might wonder if that would be their routine this season with the short bench. But they came into this one with that fearless determination once again. The Lady Bulldogs have some things to clean up... Their shooting was off - both from 3 (1-14) and from the free throw line (12-25)... They were outscored in three of the 4 quarters... But let me tell you about the 2nd quarter. It was a frustrating quarter for the Green Wave as the Bulldogs smothered them with defense and had them frustrated to the maximum - even drawing a technical foul at one point. They absolutely smoked them Green Wave 14-2. That big swing in that one quarter gave them enough of a lead to live on for the rest of the game. The Lady Bulldogs came out on top 49-46 with an upset special that felt so right! Ladies jump to 2-4!
Last up was the 4-1 Bulldogs. They are looking poised for a great season all the way around. Midway was looking to spoil the Bulldogs' win streak. They clearly practice some game-isms... For instance, at one point Midway sent one of their post players in and had him stand midcourt with his hands on his knees while they brought the ball down the court. The ballcarrier then tried to use him to pick the defender (Jayden Pemberton) away. When Jayden collided with the boy - the ref blew the whistle and called it illegal. The coaches erupted, arguing that he was simply resting with his hands on his knees. C'mon man! Just play ball! They even continued to argue at halftime on the legality of setting a player in the middle of the court with his hands on his knees... sheesh... The Bulldogs rode the hot hand of Paxton Quinney to victory with his career-high of 28 points. They slammed the door on the Green Wave 69-61 - and the Bulldogs look like serious contenders for the best in the area - improving to 5-1.
Below are a few thoughts meant to encourage some of our young athletes that went above and beyond against Midway:
Getting Stronger
The calling card for the Lady Bulldogs so far this season is to play 3 quarters strong, then run out of gas in the 4th on some hard fought games. In this game, the Lady Bulldogs had their typical six-pack of players... and they played a very up-tempo brand of basketball like usual... but I noticed something. At the end of the game, it looked like Midway was the team red-faced, breathing heavy, with hands on hips. Our girls still looked fresh and ready to roll. If their shooting had been on - they might have beaten Midway by double digits. It's impressive to have an off night shooting - but still manage to win with six players! This was undoubtedly an upset special for Coach Jen Hendricks... And it looks like they are going to play the Spoiler this season for many teams that think a six-pack of players will simply roll over. Way to grind! Stay Strong!
Rico Suave
There were 2 really good games that Wartburg came out on top... so that should be highlight enough... but man oh man... I laughed until I hurt over a Daniel "Rico Suave" Bunch play. There was a flurry of activity on the Midway end of the court. It was one of those moments where there's a wad of bodies fighting for possession that seems to endlessly kick back and forth right under their basket. When Midway finally emerged for a shot - Daniel Bunch swatted it - but it was from a weird angle due to the crowded area - and it immediately pinged off the bottom of the backboard and straight into Ian Robinson's head and across the court. It all happened so fast! Robinson looked like he'd been shot by a gun for a moment - and all heck broke loose. It was a ricochet in the truest sense of the word... So Ricochet is gonna get shortened to Rico for Bunch's nickname ... and now all I can hear is the cringey 80s pop song by Gerardo "Rico Suave". Congrats Mr. Bunch (and indirectly Mr. Robinson) - it was my highlight of the night!
Season Highs All Around
With 2 great games, you could expect a few season highs to come out... and a couple are repeats from the day prior!
1. Paxton "Pacman" Quinney: Pacman can be seen gobbling up rebounds and baskets regularly with his slippery, slasher style. The other teams have the scouting report... I'm sure they know his name - and they know his play... but they still can't stop him. Quinney can hurt you in a variety of ways - and he put it on Midway to the tune of 28 points - a career best! I'm fighting the urge to just call him "I Can't, Reid" after the WCHS media day video posted!
2. Kaylee Ledford: Ledford has notched double digit points in every game this season as a stalwart, consistent part of the Lady Bulldogs offensive attack. Against Midway, she matched her season-high from the Eagleton game with 16 points - bringing her to a team leading 82 points on the season.
3. Johnny "Green Bean" Bingham: The man known for his willingness to pull up from DEEP for three had been quiet for a couple of games without a triple. In this game, Green Bean knocked down two of his signature deep shots and also went 2/2 from the charity stripe. His 10 points is his best scoring outing of the season.
4. Evan Crouch: In the game before Midway, Crouch posted a 4-point performance which tied his best outing of the year... and then he goes out the next night against Midway and more than doubles it by dropping 9. When you win 69-61 - taking 9 points of the board means you lose the game! I threw Crouch Potato out there last time... nah... Now I am thinking Crouching Tiger? Nah... I'm looking for a nickname for Crouch that feels right... Somebody help!!!
1. Paxton "Pacman" Quinney: Pacman can be seen gobbling up rebounds and baskets regularly with his slippery, slasher style. The other teams have the scouting report... I'm sure they know his name - and they know his play... but they still can't stop him. Quinney can hurt you in a variety of ways - and he put it on Midway to the tune of 28 points - a career best! I'm fighting the urge to just call him "I Can't, Reid" after the WCHS media day video posted!
2. Kaylee Ledford: Ledford has notched double digit points in every game this season as a stalwart, consistent part of the Lady Bulldogs offensive attack. Against Midway, she matched her season-high from the Eagleton game with 16 points - bringing her to a team leading 82 points on the season.
3. Johnny "Green Bean" Bingham: The man known for his willingness to pull up from DEEP for three had been quiet for a couple of games without a triple. In this game, Green Bean knocked down two of his signature deep shots and also went 2/2 from the charity stripe. His 10 points is his best scoring outing of the season.
4. Evan Crouch: In the game before Midway, Crouch posted a 4-point performance which tied his best outing of the year... and then he goes out the next night against Midway and more than doubles it by dropping 9. When you win 69-61 - taking 9 points of the board means you lose the game! I threw Crouch Potato out there last time... nah... Now I am thinking Crouching Tiger? Nah... I'm looking for a nickname for Crouch that feels right... Somebody help!!!
It's good to take double W's... but Coalfield comes to town Friday. Be ready - We're in for a Dogfight!
Go Dogs!
