VINCENT - While the Warren Warriors varsity basketball team was establishing an all-time school record in season wins Saturday night with a 58-47 victory over the Portsmouth Trojans, the Warrior junior varsity team was busy making Warren history as well.
With a 63-26 win over the Trojans JV squad, the Warriors completed an undefeated season, the first in Warren history.
"I am very proud of the sacrifices that each player made to help our team be successful," said junior varsity head coach Mark Duckworth, whose team finished the season 21-0. "Our players are not the most talented, but they play together, sacrifice for each other, and have a tremendous will to win."
Article Photos
MIKE MORRISON The Marietta Times
Warren JV Andrew Drayer (32) establishes a defensive position against a Portsmouth player in a game in Vincent last Saturday. The Warriors finished the season undefeated at 21-0.
The Warriors averaged 55 points per game on the season while allowing just 31.
Only five games on the season were decided by double figures or less including dramatic two-point victories over Logan (54-52) and Newark Catholic (48-46).
With the varsity and junior varsity squads combining for a phenomenal 42-1 record on the season, Duckworth gives a lot of credit to the coaching done at the junior high level.
Fact Box
WARREN PERFECTION
Junior Varsity Record 21-0
Warren Junior Varsity Roster: Marshall Church, Andrew Drayer, Luke Drayer, Seth Hall, Andrew Henthorn, Tanner Huck, Blake Kidder, Aaron Mazurkiewixcz, Eli Mollohan, Collin Welch.
Nov. 30 Warren 51 Meigs 18
Dec. 4 Warren 45 Fort Frye 40
Dec. 7 Warren 41 Gallia 37
Dec. 14 Warren 58 Portsmouth 24
Dec. 15 Warren 43 Chesapeake 25
Jan. 2 Warren 54 Logan 52
Jan. 4 Warren 51 Chillicothe 46
Jan. 5 Warren 58 Belpre 12
Jan. 8 Warren 65 Athens 29
Jan. 11 Warren 45 Jackson 20
Jan. 15 Warren 59 Marietta 23
Jan. 18 Warren 62 Gallia 48
Jan. 21 Warren 48 Newark Catholic 46
Jan. 29 Warren 78 New Lexington 23
Feb. 1 Warren 50 Logan 40
Feb. 5 Warren 50 Fort Frye 38
Feb. 8 Warren 35 Chillicothe 29
Feb. 9 Warren 71 Belpre 27
Feb. 12 Warren 61 Marietta 40
Feb. 15 Warren 61 Jackson 24
Feb. 16 Warren 63 Portsmouth 26
"Our JV team this year is a product of the Warren basketball system," said Duckworth, who owns a 321-76 record as junior varsity head coach, with 237 of those wins coming at Warren. "We have consistency in our junior high coaching and everybody teaches the same thing."
With the three leading scores on the varsity squad returning next year, (Evan French, Reece Patton, and Michael Hall) varsity head coach Blane Maddox has to be excited about the future that lies ahead for Warren basketball.
"I am just so proud of our JV squad and Coach Duckworth," said Maddox, whose varsity squad opens sectional tournament play in Logan this Saturday as the number one seed. "They are not very big, but those kids are quick and they get after it and they scramble and we are very excited about the future."
Duckworth feels that his teams ability to play as a team was the key to their success in the 2012-2013 season.
"Basketball is a team sport and until your players realize that it takes a team effort to win championships, it won't happen," said Duckworth. "I just can't say enough good things about the kids and their work ethic in practice. It's just team all the way. This season is just a credit to some great kids and great families."
