By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — High drama marked Watauga’s baseball home stand vs. Northwestern Conference 4A rival South Caldwell, right until the very end. With two outs in the bottom of the 7th inning, the bases loaded and having cut their deficit to the visiting Spartans to just a single run, the Pioneers couldn’t quite get the job done for a walk-off win.
Jake Blanton, Watauga’s best hitter this season made contact but his long, fly ball to centerfield fell into the waiting glove of the visitors’ Kori McCall for the third and final out, sealing South Caldwell’s 7-6 victory.
Each team committed three errors and Watauga rapped out a total of 12 hits compared to South Caldwell’s five, but the Spartans were more proficient in capitalizing on their scoring opportunities.
McCall hit a shot in the top of the 6th inning that cleared the left field fence for a 2-run home run and the Spartan cause was aided by timely, run-scoring doubles by junior catcher John Paul Smith and senior right fielder Walker Hartley to take advantage of opportunities.
With South Caldwell leading, 7-4, when the Pioneers came to the plate for their final at-bats, things started to look promising for the home team fans when Dillon Zaragoza and JJ Everett put runners on first and third with back-to-back singles.Then successive singles by Pioneer catcher Chase Gillin and second baseman Evan Burroughs scored Zaragoza and Everett, closing the deficit to 7-6. Senior shortstop Maddox Greene promptly lined a single to left, loading the bases. A single would have at least brought in the tying run, and possibly even the winning run, but on this night it was not to be.
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — It was a warm and clear sunny day on April 1, but there was a storm brewing at Jack Groce Stadium. The Watauga women’s soccer teams blew past Northwestern Conference rival South Caldwell, 7-0 (varsity) and 7-1 (junior varsity).
VARSITY – No foolin’ around
It might have been April Fool’s Day for the mainstream world but the Pioneers weren’t foolin’ around in this one. By the time 12 minutes had ticked off the game clock, Watauga had already scored three goals and were dominating play, maintaining possession largely in their attacking third of the field.
Sequence
Watauga senior Morgan Flynt attacks from the right side, sending the ball across the face of the net and under the goalkeeper’s outstretched hands for a Watauga goal on April 1. Photographic images by David Rogers for High Country Sports
Just minutes into the game, the Pioneers were awarded a penalty kick and sophomore Sammy Morgan lived up to her jersey number (10) to rip the ball perfectly past the Spartan goalkeeper to draw the proverbial first blood for the home team. By the time senior forward Morgan Flynt laced a shot across the face of the Spartan-defended goal and under the outstretched arms of a diving goalkeeper for the Pioneers’ third goal, the outcome was all but decided if only Watauga would keep up the pressure and attack.
Which they did, including with plenty of valuable field time for starters and reserves alike.
“It was great to pick up our first conference win last night and get the back half of our season started on the right foot,” said Watauga head coach Chris Tarnowski after the game. “Spreading the scoring around to six different players really showcases just how hard the entire team has been working over the past few weeks, and highlights their unselfish play. This group is so supportive of one another and really focused on the important aspects of the sport: empathy and trust for their teammates, integrity on and off the field, and a team-first attitude. We’re really proud as coaches of their progression since the start of the season.”
Watauga freshman Mary Flynn Sevensky (16) attacks the South Caldwell goal from the left side in the Pioneers’ 7-0 win over South Caldwell on April 1. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
Goals Scored:
Savannah Rogers (2 goals scored)
Savannah Duvall (1)
Sammy Morgan (1)
Morgan Flynt (1)
Chloe Weigl (1)
Emma Raymond (1)
Assists:
Savannah Rogers (3)
Morgan Flynt (1)
Emma Raymond (1)
Chloe Weigl (1)
JUNIOR VARSITY – Still got it
Not having played a game in the preceding two weeks because of weather and varsity-only scheduling decisions, the Watauga Junior Varsity head coach Jamie Raymond wondered how her charges would respond in the Northwestern Conference opener in hosting the South Caldwell JVs. Call the Pioneer JVs’ 7-1 curtain-raiser win a precursor for the 7-0 varsity performance that followed.
“The improvement that we have seen in these young athletes is both startling and gratifying,” said Raymond. “Some of our players have never played soccer before, so their lack of understanding the importance of moving the ball around early in the season was understandable. But the progress they have made as a team is remarkable and I have to give a lot of credit to the time we have spent watching film and with the varsity players explaining in their own words how they move the ball around to keep possession and attack.”
Goals:
Lilly Wilson (3)
Lindsay Wade (3)
Emma McKibbin (1)
Assists:
Lilly Wilson (2)
Parker Strickland (1)
Marlene Alcaraz (1)
Watauga Varsity is now 4-3-1 overall, 1-0 in Northwestern Conference play. The Pioneer JVs are 3-2-1 overall, 1-0 in NWC. Next up for both teams are home matches vs. 4A rival Alexander Central on Friday, April 4. The JV curtain-raiser is scheduled for 4:30 p.m., with the varsity nightcap to follow.
By David Rogers. MORGANTON, N.C. — Allowing just one run on four hits while striking out eight Freedom batters over five innings, Watauga pitcher Daniel Jones did his part in the Pioneers’ run-rule win, 14-1, over the Patriots on March 28. Four-hit batting performances each by Jake Blanton and Cade Keller led a multi-faceted, offensive barrage that did the rest.
Freedom got on the board in the bottom half of the first inning to draw the proverbial first blood, but the Pioneers pulled even at 1-1 in the top of the third, then exploded for 13 runs in the fourth and fifth innings while Jones kept mowing down the Patriot batters.
After Dillon Zaragoza grounded out to first in the top of the fourth inning, the Pioneers got three consecutive singles from JJ Everett, Keller, and Brett Vannoy ahead of a double to left by Walker Ransdell. Everett scored on Vannoy’s single and Keller crossed home plate on Ransdell’s two-bagger. A sacrifice ground out by Evan Burroughs pushed David Pastusic (a courtesy runner for Vannoy) home and moved Ransdell to an even better scoring position at third base. Ransdell then scored on a wild pitch with Maddox Greene at the plate before the senior shortstop eventually drew a walk. Greene advanced to third base on a Blanton single, then scored on another wild pitch by the Patriots’ sophomore hurler, Alex Wall.
Wall got out of the inning without further damage, but after four innings the visitors from Boone had a comfortable lead, 6-1.
Three consecutive strikes by Jones cooled off any Freedom thoughts of retaliation in the bottom of the fourth, setting the stage for a final 8-run outburst by the Pioneers in the top of the fifth. Consecutive singles by Everett, Keller and Vannoy produced one run, then a brilliant sacrifice bunt by Watauga catcher Chase Gillin moved Keller and Vannoy to better scoring position at 3rd base and 2nd base, respectively. A walk to Burroughs loaded the bases and yet another walk issued to Greene forced home Keller, extending the Pioneer lead to 8-1.
But with the bases loaded and only one out, Watauga wasn’t done. Blanton ripped the ball up the middle for a single, scoring Burroughs and Vannoy. Then JT Cook lashed a double to the centerfield fence, scoring Greene for an 11-1 Pioneer lead. Zaragoza piled on with an RBI single to left, scoring Blanton, before Everett lofted a sacrifice fly to right for only the second out of the inning, with Cook tagging up at third base and jogging home. After Zaragoza alertly stole second base to put himself in scoring position, Keller sent a fly ball through the gap in right field for a double, Zaragoza taking advantage for the 14th and final run of the game.
Jones finished off the Patriots in the bottom half of the fifth, the 13-run lead triggering the NCHSAA run-rule win after five innings are in the books.
On Saturday, March 29, Watauga travels to Davie County for a 1 p.m. tilt, before another road trip on April 1 to challenge Ashe County.
KEY PERFORMERS
WAT – Jake Blanton: 4-4, 1 run scored, 2 RBIs, 3 stolen bases
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — A week out from Northwestern Conference play, the Watauga women’s soccer team seems to be “gelling” at just the right time. A 9-0 shellacking of visiting Ledford on March 28 at Jack Groce Stadium is proof positive.
Savannah Rogers’ “hat trick” (three goals scored) led a trio of Pioneers with multiple goals in the match, a group that also included Rebekah Riley (2 goals) and Savannah Duvall (2). Morgan Flynt and Scarlett Rupp also found the back of the net for Watauga, with one goal each. Keaton Wuest was credited with two assists, with additional assists contributed by Savannah Duvall and Mary-Flynn Sevensky.
After a tough and demanding non conference schedule, including TC Roberson, Asheville, and Saint Stephens, it’s nice to see our team coming together as we enter our conference schedule next week.” said Watauga head coach Chris Tarnowski. “It’s a talented and young team that is really learning how best to work together on the field, but as coaches we’re most proud of how positive and supportive they are of one another. It’s a team of caring individuals who want the best for the entire group and their teammates, which makes them an absolute dream to coach. We always say we want to help develop good people before we develop good players, and this group has really taken that message to heart.”
The Pioneers will have no time to fool around with three Northwestern Conference tilts within a week’s time beginning on Tuesday, April 1, vs. South Caldwell (6-2-1 overall, 0-0-1 in conference), then Friday, April 4 vs. Alexander Central (1-3-4, 0-0-1) before going on the road to face an always tough Hibriten (5-3-2, 0-0) on April 8.
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Both teams got 10 hits, but one capitalized more than the other. Hibriten centerfielder Karli Pelfrey and left fielder Adriana Figueroa each rapped out three hits in four plate appearances on March 25, powering the Panthers to a 7-4 win over the host Watauga Pioneers.
Among the hits by the Hibriten outfielder duo were triples by each. Pelfrey put herself into scoring position to score two runs on the night while Figueroa’s offensive performance included one run scored and one RBI.
While Hibriten jumped on Watauga starting pitcher Katie Matheson for a run in each of the first two innings, the first four innings were largely a pitcher’s duel. The Pioneers got on the board in the bottom of the third inning when third baseman Jayden Arnette singled and eventually scored on a passed ball, narrowing the deficit to 2-1.
Watauga’s Katie Matheson went the distance March 25 against Hibriten. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
Even though Figueroa smashed a 2-out triple to the right field fence in the top of the fourth inning, Matheson was able to get herself out the jam by getting the Panthers’ first baseman Sydney Turnmire to ground out to second, ending the inning.
Matheson went the full seven innings in the circle for the Pioneers, but it came at a cost to her ERA (earned run average). The Panthers exploded for five more runs in the fifth and sixth innings to take command with a 7-1 lead.
Pelfrey ripped a 1-out single in the fifth inning after freshman teammate Claire Rotting reached first on an error. A walk to Parker Boggs loaded the bases for junior catcher Presley Smith, who promptly doubled to the gap in center, scoring all three of her teammates.
Figueroa led off with a single in the sixth, then was brought home by a Turnmire double to the centerfield fence. Turnmire later was brought home with an RBI groundout.
Watauga was able to narrow the big deficit with two runs in the bottom of the 6th. Chloe Moretz led off with a line drive single to center, then advanced to 2nd base on a hard ground ball through the infield by Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute-bound Jordin Greene. Watauga catcher Chloe Wilson — who will join Greene at Caldwell next season — drew a walk to load the bases with no outs. Ansleigh Watson lofted a sacrifice fly to left that saw all baserunners tagging up and advancing, including Moretz crossing the plate. The Pioneers loaded the bases again when Julie Matheson reached first base on an error, with Wilson holding up at second and Greene at third. Rotting, the Hibriten pitcher, helped herself by throwing out Greene at home on a grounder back to the circle. But that still left the bases loaded. The Pioneers took advantage when Wilson scored on a slow roller single back to the pitcher by Presli Wood, shrinking the deficit to 7-3.
Watauga’s Ava Carignan rips a triple to left in the junior varsity game vs. Hibriten on March 25. Photographic image by David Rogers
Watauga scored one more time in the bottom of the 7th on consecutive 1-out singles by Moretz and Greene, then another walk awarded to Wilson, loading the bases for yet another time for the Pioneers. Moretz scored for the game’s final run but the scoring threat was squashed on a pop-up double play to end the game.
Next up for Watauga (2-7 overall, 0-3 Northwestern Conference) is a trip to East Bend, N.C. (Yadkin County) to challenge Forbush High School (8-3) on March 26.
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — “Blustery” was a good way to describe the March 25 weather for Watauga’s Northwestern Conference baseball game against visiting Hibriten. A better way to describe the Panthers’ hitters? “Flustered” by the Pioneers’ starting pitcher, Everett Gryder. The versatile junior threw seven strong innings, allowing just one run on four hits and striking out seven Hibriten batters in Watauga’s 3-1 win.
Both teams were held scoreless through the first three inning, knotted at 0-0 going into what became the decisive fourth frame. Hibriten remained scoreless in the top of the fourth inning, even though they threatened with a leadoff double by senior catcher Micah Greer. Gryder was able to wriggle out of the inning unscathed, setting up the Pioneers to take a 2-run lead in the bottom half of the frame.
Aggressive baserunning by Watauga’s Evan Burroughs (7) put him in scoring position after stealing second base in the first inning, March 25. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
Pioneer first baseman JT Cook jumped on Hibriten senior hurler Jon Spears’ first pitch for a line drive double to right. The big senior represented the game’s first run when consecutive singles followed off the bats of right fielder Dillon Zaragoza and left fielder Walker Ransdell.
With one out, Pioneer third baseman Cade Keller was credited with an RBI, knocking a slow roller to Hibriten second baseman, sophomore Maddox Marley, for a ground out that allowed Zaragoza time to score from third base, giving Watauga a still tenuous, 2-0 lead after four innings of play.
Hibriten responded with a run in the top of the fifth inning thanks largely to a line drive triple to the centerfield fence by outfielder Tanner Moore. Some alert baserunning by the talented junior allowed him to cut the deficit to just a single run before Gryder could extinguish the Panther rally.
Later in Watauga’s March 25 game against Hibriten, batter JT Cook would smash a double and score. But here he twists out of the way of an inside pitch to stay alive in the at-bat. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports.
Speedy Watauga second baseman Evan Burroughs smashed a one-out double to left to get things going in the bottom of the fifth inning, then promptly stole third base on Spears’ second pitch to Maddox Greene. The Pioneers’ senior shortstop capitalized, lofting a sacrifice fly to center that brought Burroughs home for the game’s final run.
The top of the sixth inning was another three up, three down pitching performance by Watauga’s Gryder and Hibriten’s Spears responded in kind, his inning only marred by an outfielder’s error that allowed Pioneer pinch hitter JJ Everett to reach second and put himself in scoring position. But the threat was to no avail when Spears got the final out when shortstop Julius Martin cleanly fielded a sharply hit ground ball by Watauga catcher Chase Gillin to end the inning.
Gryder finished the game on the mound for Watauga in the top of the seventh. He gave up a leadoff single to Hibriten right fielder Braxtyn Conn, but a game-ending double play got him out of any potential jam two batters later. Burroughs fielded a sharply hit grounder off the bat of the Panthers’ Moore, stepped on second base and whirled to throw the ball to first baseman Cook to complete the double play.
With the win, Watauga’s overall record improves to 4-7 and 1-2 in Northwestern Conference play. They travel to Morganton on March 28 to challenge Freedom (6-6, 0-3).
KEY PERFORMERS
WAT – Everett Gryder: 7 innings pitched, 1 run allowed, seven strikeouts, 58 of 75 pitches were strikes, 1 walk
WAT – Evan Burroughs: 1-3, 1 run scored, double, 2 stolen bases
WAT – JT Cook: 1-2, 1 run scored, 1 walk, double
WAT – Maddox Greene: 0-2, 1 RBI, sacrifice fly
WAT – Dillon Zaragoza: 1-3, 1 run scored, 1 stolen base
By David Rogers. TAYLORSVILLE, N.C. — Going 4-for-5 with a home run and three singles — and adding a pair of stolen bases — Watauga senior shortstop Maddox Greene’s breakout day for the 2025 season turned out to be not quite enough. In the top of the 10th inning, Alexander Central’s designated hitter Wyatt Smith lofted a long fly ball to centerfield, scoring junior first baseman Maddix Reese for a walk-off sacrifice fly to win, 5-4.
In the top of the 7th inning, Greene’s solo home run tied the game at 4-4 and both teams wriggled out of defensive jams for the next two frames to send the game into extra innings.
Greene got the scoring started in the top of the 3rd inning with a 2-out single, then scored when first baseman JT Cook doubled to center. Then Pioneer right fielder Dillon Zaragoza followed with a double to left, scoring Cook, allowing Watauga to take an early, 2-0 lead. The Cougars rallied for three runs in the bottom of the 3rd to take a one-run advantage, but in the top of the 4th, the Pioneers’ speedy second baseman Evan Burroughs stole third base and scored on a fielding error by the Cougars’ third baseman, freshman Gunnar Johnson, knotting the score at 3-3.
Alexander Central scored again in the bottom half of the 4th to take the lead, 4-3, and that is where things were until Greene’s HR to lead off the 7th inning and tie things up at 4-4. The Cougars threatened in the bottom of the sixth when Johnson tagged up at third base on a fly ball to right by Smith, but Zaragoza rifled the ball home to catcher Brett Vannoy, in time to tag Johnson out at the plate.
Watauga (3-7 overall, 0-2 in Northwestern Conference) returns home on March 25 to face Hibriten (8-2, 2-0, then travels to Morganton to take on Freedom (6-5, 0-2) on March 28.
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Post-season honors keep piling up for Kate Sears. Adding to earlier recognition in her remarkable 4-year career playing high school basketball, the Watauga senior point guard was named the Gatorade North Carolina “Player of the Year” this week for women’s basketball.
With 13 “triple-doubles” in 28 games during the 2024-25 season, Sears nearly averaged a triple-double: 27.2 points, 13.1 rebounds and 9.3 assists.
FILE PHOTO. Kate Sears. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
Sears led Watauga in all statistical categories in helping the team to an NCHSAA 4A quarterfinals berth in the state playoffs, where the Pioneers lost to the 4A West bracket champion, Lake Norman, who play the 4A East champion, Wakefield, on March 15 for the state title.
MORE… AND MORE
Also this week, Sears was named to the North Carolina Basketball Coaches Association District 11’s all-district team and the District 11 “Player of the Year.” Watauga head coach Bill Torgerson also was recognized as the District 11 “Coach of the Year.”
In a mid-week press release from the Northwestern Conference, Sears and Torgerson were also named the league’s player- and coach-of-the-year, respectively.
Sears finished her high school career with a remarkable, 2,613 points scored, 978 rebounds, 715 assists, 242 steals, 89 blocked shots vs. only 261 turnovers, according to MaxPreps.com. The ultimate teammate, Sears’ average per game in assists during her senior season puts her No. 2, nationally.
She will take her 4.54 weighted grade point average to play NCAA Division I basketball at Virginia Tech after she graduates later this spring.
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — What do Maggie Cheves, Kate Sears, Josiah Railey, David Gragg, Bill Torgerson and Bryson Payne have in common?
The first three were named Northwestern Conference “Player (or Swimmer) of the Year” in their respective sports, Swimming, Women’s Basketball, and Men’s Basketball. The final three were named “Coach of the Year” in those same sports, respectively.
The conference released its all-conference nods earlier this week and Watauga High School was well-represented.
FILE PHOTO. Michael Makdad dives into the pool at the start of the Men’s 200 IM, which he won during the Northwestern Conference league championship meet. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
2024/2025 NORTHWESTERN ЗA/4A ALL CONFERENCE – SWIMMING
Women’s Champion: Watauga
Women’s Swimmer of the Year: Maggie Cheves – Watauga
Women’s Coach of the Year: David Gragg – Watauga
Men’s Champion: South Caldwell
Men’s Swimmer of the Year: Owen Griffith – South Caldwell
Men’s Coach of the Coach: Maura Schaffer Greer – South Caldwell
All-Conference Women
Lola Herring – Watauga
MK Riddle – Watauga
Athena Elliott – Watauga
Tessa Buchanan – Watauga
Hannah Wasson – South Caldwell
Kyra Westerfield – South Caldwell
Peyton Felts – South Caldwell
Chloe Bolick – South Caldwell
Maggie Cheves – Watauga
Ama Higgs – Hibritren
Addie Wilson – Watauga
Chessy Martin – Watauga
Addy Connor – Hibriten
Kaylee Moore – South Caldwell
Acacia Felmlee – Hibriten
Reese Sturgill – Alexander
Chloe Penley – Hibriten
All-Conference Men
Owen Griffin – South Caldwell
Mason Hubbard – South Caldwell
Max Clark – South Caldwell
Nathan Hall – South Caldwell
Sean Causby – Freedom
Braden Cullen – Freedom
Nicholas Chiota – Freedom
Nate Carswell – Freedom
Nathan Mull – Hibriten
Stacy Eggers – Watauga
Michael Makdad – Watauga
Gilbert Lanson – Watauga
Silas Powell – Watauga
Harris Inman – South Caldwell
JP Andrews – Hibriten
Titus Felmlee – Hibriten
Justin Schlageter – Hibriten
Ethan Hass – South Caldwell
Brendan Rothwell – South Caldwell
Women’s Team Scores
Watauga 385 points
South Caldwell 245
Hibriten 238
Alexander Central 139
Freedom 78
Ashe County 28
Men’s Team Scores
South Caldwell 272 points
Watauga 248
Hibriten 217
Freedom 198
Alexander Central 164.5
Ashe County 3.5
2024/2025 NORTHWESTERN ЗA/4A ALL CONFERENCE – WRESTLING
Regular Season Champion: South Caldwell
Lower Weight Wrestler of the Year: Bridger Fairchild (Ashe County)
Upper Weight Wrestler of the Year: Luke Osborne (Ashe County)
Tournament Champion: South Caldwell
Tournament Most Outstanding Wrestler: Kaleb Flores-Martin (South Caldwell)
All-Conference Selections
Ryland Walker (South Caldwell)
Xander Vue (Freedom)
Brayden Reid (Hibriten)
Landen Wilson (Ashe County)
Marshall Brown (Ashe County)
Logan Rudisill (South Caldwell)
Bridger Fairchild (Ashe County)
Mason Yount (South Caldwell)
Kaleb Pearson (Freedom)
Iziah Ayers (Alexander Central)
Kaleb Flores-Martin (South Caldwell)
Gabe Smith (Ashe County)
Mason Hollar (South Caldwell)
Connor Walley (Alexander Central)
Luke Osborne (Ashe County)
Camden Brock (Watauga)
Coy Greer (Watauga)
Coan Suttles (South Caldwell)
Noah Koenig (Hibriten)
Alex Engle (South Caldwell)
Mikey Portante (Watauga)
Mario Quivera (South Caldwell)
Aidan Plemons (Watauga)
Alan Vicente Perez (Freedom)
Ashton Woodruff (Hibriten)
Ben Bare (Ashe County)
Cade Hartis (Alexander Central)
Trenton Stevens (Hibriten)
Liam Perry (Watauga)
Carson Smith (Watauga)
Landon Baker (Hibriten)
Avin Crawford (Hibriten)
FILE PHOTO. Watauga senior guard Julie Matheson (1) looks to drive baseline at Lake Norman on March 7. Photographic image by Jared Everett for High Country Sports
2024/2025 NORTHWESTERN ЗA/4A ALL CONFERENCE – WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
2024-25 Women’s Basketball All Conference Champions: Watauga
Player of the Year: Kate Sears – Watauga
Coach of the Year: Bill Torgerson – Watauga
All Conference Selections
Kate Sears – Watauga
Julie Matheson – Watauga
Kaitlyn Darner – Watauga
Blair Haines – Watauga
Jeff Parham – South Caldwell
Ava Anderson – South Caldwell
Kristin Barber – South Caldwell
Peyton Caldwell – Freedom
Haven Gladden – Freedom
Meredith Wile – Alexander
Aamori Patterson – Hibriten
Abby Sheets – Ashe Co
Honorable Mention
Chloe Wilson – Watauga
Izzy Torgerson – Watauga
Maggie Wilks – South Caldwell
Holland Weisner -S Caldwell
Kaitlyn Hagmann – Freedom
Malayah Adams – Alexander
Addison Jack – Alexander
Karlee Starnes – Hibriten
Zoe Rector – Hibriten
Ally Greer – Ashe Co
Abby Eller – Ashe Co
FILE PHOTO. Jace Blocker finishes off a monster dunk during the Feb. 14, 2025, men’s basketball game between Watauga and Ashe County. Photo by Jared Everett for High Country Sports
2024/2025 NORTHWESTERN ЗA/4A ALL CONFERENCE – MEN’S BASKETBALL
2025 Men’s Basketball All Conference Champions: Watauga and South Caldwell
Player of the Year: Josiah Railey – Watauga
Player of the Year: Jay’on Connor – Alexander
Coach of the Year: Bryson Payne – Watauga
All Conference Selections
Cade Keller – Watauga
Jace Blocker – Watauga
Maddox Greene – Watauga
Josiah Railey – Watauga
Tyler Cline – S Caldwell
Connor Setzer – S Caldwell
Caleb Greene – S Caldwell
Amore Connelly – Freedom
King Johnson – Freedom
Jay’on Connor – Alexander
Bryce Peters – Ashe Co
Rob Beasley – Hibriten
Honorable Mention
Jackson Love – Watauga
Lawson Wilkes – S Caldwell
Carter Anderson -S Caldwell
Kobe Johnson – Freedom
Braxton King – Freedom
Jaheim Redmond – Alexander
Cole Treva – Ashe Co
Christian Reynolds – Hibriten
Julius Martin – Hibriten
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Sportswriters usually wait until someone has been tested in college before describing an athlete as a “generational talent.” Perhaps it is premature, but Watauga High School women’s basketball senior Kate Sears could well be the deserving exception.
Even if the defender is a bigger athlete, Kate Sears finds a way to get by and to the basket. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
CONSIDER:
It was the ultimate compliment on March 7, 2025, in what became Sears’ final high school game, when Lake Norman double- and triple-teamed her from start to finish in the NCHSAA 4A West semifinals. Holding the Watauga point guard to “just” 18 points (well below her season average of nearly 28 points per game) allowed the No. 2-seeded Wildcats to move on to the 4A West bracket final against No. 1 McDowell and potentially winning a state championship.
Sears is the only player in 2025 to be voted All State by the North Carolina Basketball Coaches Association for three consecutive years (2025 balloting has not yet been completed or announced). She was voted 1st Team All State in 2024, her junior season. She was voted 2nd Team All State in 2022 and 2023, her freshman and sophomore seasons.
Sears was voted District 11’s “Player of the Year” in her freshman, sophomore and junior seasons. Will her senior season follow?
She was named 3A/4A Northwestern Conference “Player of the Year” AND the conference tournament’s “MVP” for each of those first three seasons.
Sears’ growth and impact is reflected in Watauga’s team accomplishments:
Four consecutive Northwestern Conference regular season championships
Four consecutive Northwestern Conference tournament championships
Finishes in the NCHSAA 4A Women’s Basketball Championship playoffs:
Freshman year – Sweet 16
Sophomore year – Elite 8
Junior year – Final Four
Senior year – Elite 8
Evidence of Sears’ basketball skills surface in the numbers. Without getting into the specifics, it is remarkable that Sears leads Watauga in every statistical category maintained by MaxPreps (scoring, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks, as well field goal percentage and 3-point field goal percentage).
Kate Sears is a disruptive force on defense, too. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
According to MaxPreps, Sears is among the Top 20 players nationally in assists per game (No. 2), double-doubles (No. 19) and free throws made (No. 14).
Also according to MaxPreps, Sears ranks in the Top 25 of eight statistical categories in all of North Carolina, including assists per game (No. 1), double-doubles (No. 2), free throws made (No. 2), charges taken per game (No. 8), points per game (No. 8), rebounds per game (No. 17), field goals made (No. 17), and 3-pointers made (No. 24).
In the NCHSAA 4A West division, which includes 54 competing large schools, Sears’ dominance is even more commanding, including rebounds per game (No. 1), free throws made (No. 1), assists per game (No. 1), charges taken per game (No. 1), double-doubles (No. 1), points per game (No. 2), field goals made (No. 4), and 3-pointers made (No. 6).
In the 6-team Northwestern Conference, the Pioneer senior is No. 1 in points per game, rebounds per game, field goals made, free throws made, assists per game, blocks per game, charges taken per game and double-doubles. She is No. 2 in 3-pointers made and steals per game.
Sometimes Kate Sears attacks the basket vs. fierce opposition. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
MaxPreps doesn’t publish records for players recording triple-doubles, but Sears has recorded 12 triple-doubles in the 2024-2025 season. Notable performances include:
39 points, 17 rebounds, 13 assists vs. East Lincoln (Dec. 14)
22 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assists vs. North Wilkes (Dec. 17)
50 points, 16 rebounds, 11 assists vs. South Caldwell (Jan. 31)
43 points, 21 rebounds, 15 assists vs. Freedom (Feb. 12)
Since watching Sears embarrass older middle school opponents — as a 6th-grader at Blowing Rock School — our interest in what she might do at the next level has grown with each passing season, level after level.
Recently, Sears announced her acceptance of a scholarship offer to play NCAA Division I women’s basketball at Virginia Tech. As Watauga was preparing to go deeper into the playoffs last week, High Country Sports sat down with Sears for a one-on-one conversation about her basketball career and life plans.
Kate Sears is among the most unselfish of players, always looking to get her teammates the ball. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
High Country Sports: What is it that drives your passion and performance in basketball?
Kate Sears: I am super competitive and always have been, so it is natural to gravitate toward sports, especially team sports, working together with a group of people who are like minded and want to achieve similar goals. That helps motivate me to try and reach my full potential. I work really hard because I don’t want to let my teammates down. They work hard and I want to hold up my end of the bargain.
High Country Sports: While your ability to take over a game is impressive, you may be best known and appreciated for your unselfish play, getting your teammates involved.
Kate Sears: I am going to do whatever it takes to win. That might be different every game, depending on the matchups. I am going to do my best, whether that is rebounding or finding an open teammate for them to score, because an opponent may be keying on me. I believe in my teammates. They work hard in practice, taking a lot of shots to be ready to hit them in a game. I trust their work ethic.
Among the best ball-handlers of all high school women’s basketball players. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
High Country Sports: In an earlier interview a few years ago, you credited your older brother, Jake, for being a significant influence on your early development as a basketball player. Can you expand on that?
Kate Sears: Growing up, I was always super competitive and playing outside with my older brother, Jake. Well, I always wanted to beat him. I try to take that same kind of competitiveness out onto the court against other people — almost making it like I am trying to play against my brother and I want to beat him. He has been an important influence, watching him grow up and go on to play for the Watauga men’s team and getting to go to his games. As the younger sister, I have always been excited for my moment to be out there and playing. Jake has always been so supportive and he still comes to my games here at Watauga.
High Country Sports: We also see your mother and father at every game, home and away. What can you tell us about their influence on your basketball career?
Kate Sears: I wouldn’t be in this position if it weren’t for my mother and father. Not only have they been super supportive in taking me off the mountain to play with the travel teams but every day one of them is coming after practice to rebound for me. They have always been supportive of the goals I have and are going to help with whatever it takes to reach those goals.
As a freshman, Kate Sears takes aim on a free throw. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
High Country Sports: You mention travel ball… how is that different than playing for your high school team?
Kate Sears: Travel ball is a whole different world than high school, in good ways and ways that maybe aren’t as good. In travel ball you are coming together with other girls who are really good players and we all have a goal of going on to play NCAA Division I basketball. You don’t practice as much as in high school so you may not develop the same level of chemistry with your teammates. In some respects, it is more pickup basketball. I like high school ball where you are playing with your best friends and you are practicing every day. So you have to make an adjustment to play a different style, but it is something you have to do if you want to play college basketball at a higher level. It is harder to adjust back to travel ball because the speed of the game is usually a lot faster and more physical. It is more similar to how it is going to be in college.
High Country Sports: When you were playing for Blowing Rock School in the sixth grade, then Watauga head coach Laura Barry told us she didn’t want to wait three years to get you on the high school team. You eventually played a couple of years for her then, when she moved on to Davidson College, for your current coach, Bill Torgerson. What can you tell us about the differences?
Kate Sears: Coach Torgerson and Coach Barry are different, but similar, too. Every coach has different philosophies, different things to focus on or not focus on. Torg has been huge in pouring confidence into me. He knows how hard I work and sees the success I have on the court. So he kind of lets me off that leash a little bit. He trusts me and that boosts my confidence even more. You are not always going to agree on everything with a coach but he has always been really good with the two of us talking through things. Maybe he sees something that I don’t see or I see something he doesn’t see. He has allowed me to reach out to him about those things. We have mature conversations about what is best for the team.
High Country Sports: What is it about playing for your high school team that you really treasure?
Kate Sears: I get to play with my best friends. I have played with Julie Matheson and Kaitlyn Darner since second and third grade, so we know each other’s tendencies very well. That helps with our chemistry and played well together. To reach our full potential, a lot of that has to do with the chemistry we have on and off the court.
High Country Sports: Fellow senior Chloe Wilson has sort of blossomed in real time this year after not having played organized basketball, previously. What have you seen in her development and contributions?
Kate Sears: Chloe is a huge piece of our success this year, just in her development as a player and teammate. When summer and fall workouts started, it was a lot for her because she had never played organized basketball and there was a lot to learn all at once. She has been great, really open to Coach Torgerson coaching her and open to her teammates giving her advice. She frequently asks for extra reps after practice and asks for help on certain things. She is getting more comfortable and getting more time on the court. That is huge for us because there are things she can do that no on else on the team can do. For sure, as the biggest and a very athletic player on the court, she takes some of our opponents’ attention away from me as well as from our other shooters.
Blink, and Kate Sears is by you, driving the baseline. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
High Country Sports: Let’s transition to your decision to accept Virginia Tech’s scholarship offer. What went into that decision?
Kate Sears: I love the coaching staff at Virginia Tech. Head coach Megan Duffy recruited me when she was at Marquette, but that was pretty far away from home. I couldn’t see going to Milwaukee. I am not really a city girl. But when she got the job at Virginia Tech and offered me a scholarship there, it was a huge draw because it was not too far from home. Blacksburg is a really cool place and VT’s support for women’s basketball is unmatched. It was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. As I learned about the women who are there and will be there, it became something I wanted to be a part of.
High Country Sports: What was that recruiting process like? I think you had over 40 scholarship offers, many from Division I, “Power Four” schools.
Kate Sears: Toward the end of my recruiting process, I was considering some schools that are a plane ride away and that would have definitely made it harder for my parents, family and friends. They want to come watch as much as they can. So Virginia Tech became a good fit because they can come watch me play but they won’t be in my backyard. So it was important for me to go somewhere my parents liked as much as I do. Towards the end, the schools I was considering were Clemson, Kansas, Michigan, Princeton, Purdue, Wake Forest… but some of those places I fell in love with other than Virginia Tech involved a plane ride. That was hard for me to think about, as well as for my parents and family.
High Country Sports: Have you thought much about your role on Virginia Tech’s team, playing with other talented players?
Kate Sears: Every team I have been on, I have always had a different role. Even the four years here at Watauga, my role has changed a little bit each season. On a travel team, it may not be ‘Hey Kate, let’s go get a bucket right now.’ Instead, it might be, ‘Let’s get so-and-so the ball because they are on a roll right now. You have that in high school, too, but it is on a different level with travel teams. College will be more like that, too. In college, it will be a big thing to get into their system and learn how me, as a point guard, can play with those other good players. They are all really good Division I basketball players. Depending on what my role will be, I will try to own it and do what I am asked to help our team win.
High Country Sports: A few years ago the NCAA had a great marketing tagline, that the vast majority of college student athletes go pro in something other than sports. Have you thought about potentially playing in the WNBA or what you might like to do after your playing days are over?
Kate Sears: I haven’t thought too much beyond college. I have definitely thought about going into coaching after my playing days are over, largely because of all the coaches I have played for and even those who have recruited me over the years. They have been important influences. So that is something I’d like to share with the next generation, to be a positive influence. We’ll see where life takes me. In college, I plan on studying business and am particularly interested in the business side of things in sports. Whether or not it is coaching, I will probably try and stay in the sports industry. What I have learned throughout the recruiting process is how many jobs there are in sports that have little to do with playing.
A sure bet? Kate Sears is going places with purpose — and competitive drive.
