First Home Games... Two Wins for Wartburg
It's November 25, 2025... Tomorrow is the first day of Thanksgiving Break in Morgan County, TN, but tonight the Wartburg faithful came out to their first home basketball games of the high school season. They would be hosting 2A Eagleton College and Career Academy from Maryville, TN. Last year, the Bulldogs had a big win for the ladies, and a very lopsided 73-34 loss for their male counterparts. In this young season, the Lady Bulldogs have suffered crucial injuries to their already small roster, so the question would be whether they could get the job done with six girls. On the other side, it's a new year for the Bulldogs - and the boys looked like world beaters against a tough Van Buren team. Would they be able to carry that momentum into a game that was a hard loss a year ago? Let's take a look:
Without a JV game tonight, the Lady Bulldogs would start things off. The Bulldogs have a pair of sophomore standouts on crutches so far in Bradlee Sexton and Addison Brown. Losing two players can be overcome - but with only 8 players to start with - these 2 represent 25% of the roster! Yikes! New Bulldogs Head Coach Jen Hendricks knows she has to prepare for ironman ball - where the breaks are few and far between, everybody plays a lot, and getting into foul trouble is not an option. The Bulldogs started off a little slow - jumping out to a modest 8-6 lead at the end of the first quarter. But they gained confidence and momentum - averaging almost 19 points per quarter for the rest of the game. By the end of the game, they were picking off passes at will and taking fast breaks to the house on a regular basis. The demoralized Eagleton squad was outscored 17-2 in the 4th quarter - ending the game with Coach Hendricks' first win as a Bulldog - in very impressive fashion - 65-22.
Next up were the boys. After losing by almost 40 a year ago and having no answer for the physical Eagleton squad, one had to wonder if the Bulldogs would be capable to take the floor. To be fair, Eagleton had at least one star player that is still playing football and was not dressed out for basketball... but the Bulldogs looked like a force to be reckoned with from the word "Go!" with MONSTER performances from Ian Robinson and Paxton Quinney - and a Defensive clinic by Daniel Bunch with countless blocks while only getting 1 foul! Quarter after quarter, the Bulldogs had Eagleton's number with a firm pressure on defense and an unstoppable offense that repeatedly cut through traffic seemingly scoring at will. They matched their 34 points from last year mid-way through the 2nd quarter as they boasted their highest total of the season with 76... beating Eagleton 76-49. Let's go Dogs!
Below are a few thoughts meant to encourage some of our young athletes that went above and beyond against Eagleton:
Without a JV game tonight, the Lady Bulldogs would start things off. The Bulldogs have a pair of sophomore standouts on crutches so far in Bradlee Sexton and Addison Brown. Losing two players can be overcome - but with only 8 players to start with - these 2 represent 25% of the roster! Yikes! New Bulldogs Head Coach Jen Hendricks knows she has to prepare for ironman ball - where the breaks are few and far between, everybody plays a lot, and getting into foul trouble is not an option. The Bulldogs started off a little slow - jumping out to a modest 8-6 lead at the end of the first quarter. But they gained confidence and momentum - averaging almost 19 points per quarter for the rest of the game. By the end of the game, they were picking off passes at will and taking fast breaks to the house on a regular basis. The demoralized Eagleton squad was outscored 17-2 in the 4th quarter - ending the game with Coach Hendricks' first win as a Bulldog - in very impressive fashion - 65-22.
Next up were the boys. After losing by almost 40 a year ago and having no answer for the physical Eagleton squad, one had to wonder if the Bulldogs would be capable to take the floor. To be fair, Eagleton had at least one star player that is still playing football and was not dressed out for basketball... but the Bulldogs looked like a force to be reckoned with from the word "Go!" with MONSTER performances from Ian Robinson and Paxton Quinney - and a Defensive clinic by Daniel Bunch with countless blocks while only getting 1 foul! Quarter after quarter, the Bulldogs had Eagleton's number with a firm pressure on defense and an unstoppable offense that repeatedly cut through traffic seemingly scoring at will. They matched their 34 points from last year mid-way through the 2nd quarter as they boasted their highest total of the season with 76... beating Eagleton 76-49. Let's go Dogs!
Below are a few thoughts meant to encourage some of our young athletes that went above and beyond against Eagleton:
Getting the Band Back Together!
If there's one thing I missed about this year's football season - it was the band! There's just something about rolling into those Friday night lights - the football team is ready, the cheer leaders are cheering, the fans are buzzing... and the band is playing! This year, Wartburg lost their band with most of the musicians joining forces with the Sunbright band. Tonight's first home game had the joy of a small pep band to play the National Anthem and to play some inspiring tunes during timeouts throughout the night. I don't know if it's a long-term answer - but I.... AM.... HERE.... FOR...... IT! Great job to the Pep Band!
All Day Bray
After taking their lumps in the first couple of games, the girls got an opponent they could handle this time. And once Braylen Melton got into a groove, there was no turning back. She had a Bulldog season-high 23 points... but also added 10 Assists, 5 Rebounds, and 5 Steals. Normally, when you get out to a big lead, you take out the seniors and/or starters... When you only have 6 active players and you get out to a big lead, there are no subs to sub in - so the seniors and starters just keep rolling. "All Day" Bray never let up - and she had herself a game! Great work!
Ledford Leads
The most consistent force for the Lady Bulldogs over their three games is senior Kaylee Ledford. Averaging almost 14 points per game, Ledford put up 16 points tonight - but also chipped in with 8 rebounds and 5 steals as well. Maybe the most impressive part of Ledford's game is her leadership on the court. You can watch her encouraging, directing, and motivating her teammates on the court - which shows a unique ability to lead. Good leaders elevate the people around them - and Ledford seems to be the tone-setter for that. Great work!
Hair Jordan
The team's leading scorer for 2 straight games, junior Paxton Quinney had a GAME tonight! Paxton was able to slice and dice his way through the lane, avoiding pressure and traffic - while also shooting 6/9 from the free throw line and scoring 24 points. Quinney looks to be in mid-season form already. One thing to know about Quinney - after every score - he has to whip his head to the side to get his hair out of his eyes... Maybe it's a tactic? The opponent can't see where he's going - because they can't see his eyes. Let's go Hair Jordan... do what you need to do!
The Dunk That Woke The Dogs
While Quinney may be the leading scorer over the last 2 contests - he has exactly 1 more point than Ian Robinson in each game... and Robinson still is the leading scorer for the Dogs for the season with 59 points through 3 games. Robinson has been known for being too athletic for his own good in previous seasons - shifty and quick, he can become chaotic - like a nuclear reactor that's about to blow. This year, he is a more poised, calmer presence on the court. One thing he was able to do tonight - is to get a monkey off his back. With plus athleticism, he is able to dunk the ball in the right scenario... but until you get that first one in a game - it's always in the back of your mind when you approach... "Do I dunk it?... Do I go for the lay up?"... Tonight - Rob got his dunk and broke the seal on that super cool feat. Robinson isn't just a scorer... and he isn't just a dunker... he's also a great defender that loads up on steals and fast breaks... but tonight... We celebrate that first in-game dunk! Congrats!
I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving! Gobble Gobble!
Go Dogs!
