The 2006-2007 Basketball Season

Story by Aaron Harvey

One more season of basketball is in the books. This season was a season to remember for many reasons. Coach Dallas Reed Davis (below) coached the last game of his career on February 26th, 2007. His Lady Bulldogs were defeated by eventual state runner-up, the Oliver Springs Lady Bobcats. Davis has been the coach of girls' basketball for over 30 years. He's also coached boys' basketball. Mr. Dallas Reed Davis has accomplished so much during his tenure as coach at CHS. He has been District Coach of the Year several times, and has made two trips to sub-state competition. On February 17th, 2005, the baskeball gymnasium was dedicated to Davis. Now every game that is played in that gym will go down in the Dallas Reed Davis Gymnasium scorebooks.

The Lady Bulldogs

The Lady Bulldogs made a strong run in the district to finish the season. After starting 1-5 in the district, they ended the season with a district record of 4-6, winning three of their last four district games. The only loss in that stretch came to Oliver Springs. In the district tournament, Oliver Springs proved to be a monkey on the ladys' backs when they defeated Wartburg for a third time in one season. Eventually Oliver Springs took a district championship and Wartburg took third place in the district after a victory over Oakdale in the consolation game.

In the region tournament, Wartburg would have to travel all the way to Cosby to take on the Lady Eagles, runner-up of the district 3A tournament. Having to travel didn't bother the Lady Bulldogs', who pulled out a 56-53 victory to advance to the second round. Wartburg just couldn't get rid of the "monkey". In the second round, they would have to face, for a fourth time, Oliver Springs. The whole game was close, but Oliver Springs finally pulled out a 61-53 victory, and eventually became region champions, sub-state champions, and state runner-up. The Lady Bulldogs' had a great season. They lose only one senior next season, but they also lose a legend in Dallas Davis.

The Bulldogs

On the other side of action, the boys' basketball team finished out a great season. The Bulldogs finished with a record of
22-9. They also boasted a sub-state championship and the first ever state appearance by any team from Wartburg. The boys' captured a regular season district championship, but fell short in the district tournament championship, finishing as a runner-up. After the district championship, it was time for the region tournament.

The Bulldogs beat former district foe, Rockwood, in the first round, keeping elimination away for at least one more game. They then had to face Grace Christian, who finished their season with a number five ranking in the CoachT Strength Rankings. The final score was 86-73 in Wartburg's favor. It was then time for the region championship. For the first time in school history, a team went to back-to-back region championships, and it was only the third appearance for boys' basketball. The Dogs fell short of a region championship for the second straight year, in double overtime on a last second shot by the Harriman Blue Devils. The final score was 80-81.

After being beat in the region championship, the Dogs had to travel to East Tennessee State University to take on the University High Junior Buccaneers. After a long, hard fought battle, the Bulldogs claimed a sub-state championship. A victory in the sub-state means a chance to play in the state tournament at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro.

The Bulldogs then had an eight day break from games and used this time to practice and prepare for the state tournament, where they would face Humboldt, home of the Vikings. Wartburg ended the season in a fashion that the Bulldogs had presented all season long, in a great game. At the end of the first half, the Dogs had a slim three point lead. After the end of the third quarter, they trailed by two. Sadly enough, that's as close as they got. Humboldt was able to pull away 68-59 and end the Cinderella season that the Bulldogs' had in mind.

Coach Joe Layne was named District 4A Coach of the year for the second straight year. Also, senior DJ Shannon took home the regular season District 4A Player of the Year and the Region 2A tournament Most Valuable Player. The team says goodbye to seven seniors: Dustin Brown, Aaron Harvey, Evan Jackson, Travis Nelson, Anthony Rogers, DJ Shannon, and Tyler Winstead. Wartburg does return a lone starter next year in Caleb Bunch. They also return players off of the bench such as, Adam Griffith, Jordan Hamby, Josh Kidd, and Shawn Langley, who was sidelined with a shoulder injury this season.

Even though the Bulldogs' were defeated, they had much support from all of Morgan County. The 2006-2007 Wartburg Bulldogs are the trailblazers for future teams to come. When the Bulldogs' travel to the state tournament again, they will have experience and a reputation of a great basketball program.