Category: High School

  • Huskies thump Central Davidson to open High Country Holiday Classic, 56-35

    By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Led by Paige Overcash’s game-high 18 points, the Ashe County Huskies dominated Central Davidson on Dec. 28 at Lentz Eggers Gym in the women’s division opening round of the High Country Holiday Classic basketball tournament hosted by Watauga High School.

    The Huskies’ Abby Sheets added 15 points, 10 of  them in the first half as Ashe County ran away from the Spartans right from the get-go. By the end of the first period, ACHS led, 17-8. Abby Eller came off the bench to add 10 points, including 8 in the critical third quarter, while Lexie Dawson contributed six points to the Huskies’ winning cause.

    Alexandra Myers recorded a team-high 11 points for Central Davidson.

    Central Davidson’s Ella Trantham looks to shoot against Ashe County on Dec. 28 in the women’s division opening game of the High Country Holiday Classic at Lentz Eggers Gym. Photographic image by David Rogers
  • Apex Friendship kicks off High Country Holiday Classic with 61-50 win over Central Davidson

    By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — A 19-10 run by Apex Friendship in the third quarter broke open a tight, one-point edge over Central Davidson at halftime (17-16). With the early second half surge, the Patriots went on to defeat the Spartans, 61-50.

    Patriot senior Aiden Neiger poured in 7 of Apex Friendship’s 19 points in the third period, and finishing the game with nine points.

    The Patriots’ Terry Hicks shared game-high scoring honors (14) with Central Davidson’s Eli Tysinger.

  • Watauga falls to Atlanta-based power Westminster in Cherokee finale, 49-43

    By David Rogers. CHEROKEE, N.C. — Although they held a tenuous lead at intermission, Watauga’s Pioneers couldn’t close out its third and final game against Atlanta power Westminster on Dec. 22, falling to the Wildcats, 49-43. Play came in the third round of the Cherokee Invitational, hosted by event manager Insider Exposure at Harrah’s Cherokee Convention Center.

    Watauga’s Brooke Scheffler looks to pass against Westminster on Dec. 22 at the Cherokee Invitational. Photographic image by David Rogers

    Watauga led 23-22 at halftime but Westminster clamped down on the Pioneers in the third quarter, defensively, limiting the High Country’s finest to just 7 points while pouring in 15 of their own. NCAA D1 prospect Courtney Ogden, an athletic shooting guard/small forward senior, accounted for 11 of those third quarter Wildcat points and finished the day with a game-high 20 points for her afternoon’s work.

    Watauga made a closing run in the final stanza with a pair of 3-pointers from junior Charlotte Torgerson and one from long distance by senior Caroline Farthing, but it just wasn’t enough to overcome the third quarter deficit.

    Charlotte Torgeson (33) dribbles around a Westminster defender in the third round of the Cherokee Invitational on Dec. 22. Photographic image by David Rogers

    After the game, Watauga head coach Laura Barry said that while she was disappointed in the losses, there is a silver lining.

    “The Cherokee Invitational organizers brought some really good teams here so this was really good competition for us,” said Barry of the non-conference action. “It of course highlighted some of our strengths as a team, but also exposed some areas where we need more work. We will address those and come away from this tournament much stronger as we enter conference play.”

    SELECTED SCORING

    • WST Courtney Ogden (20)
    • WAT Kate Sears (16)
    • WST Ashley Adams (10)
    • WAT Charlotte Torgerson (8)
    • WST Ryan McFadden (8)
    • WAT Brooke Scheffler (7)
    • WAT Caroline Farthing (6)

    BONUS PHOTOS

  • Gough, Thomas lead Charlotte Catholic in win over Watauga, 53-42

    By David Rogers. CHEROKEE, N.C. — When your basketball opponent has two dominant post players who can also shoot from the outside, just make sure that your open looks are straight and true. That is something that didn’t happen for Watauga in the Pioneers’ semifinal loss, 53-42, to Charlotte Catholic on Dec. 21, in the Cherokee Invitational.

    Without question, the Pioneers battled fiercely. Especially in the first half, Watauga’s defensive pressure was disruptive and kept the Cougars off-balance. Kate Sears, Charlotte Torgerson, Caroline Farthing and Brooke Scheffler came down with defensive rebounds after Catholic’s own errant shots in the opening two quarters.

    Kate Sears (12) shoots against Charlotte Catholic on Dec. 21 in the semifinals of the Cherokee Invitational, defended by 6-5 power forward/center Blanca Thomas. Photographic image by David Rogers

    But time and again the Pioneers in transition were stymied by Charlotte Catholic’s defensive pressure — and frequent steals. And when Watauga was able to work the ball to an open player, all too often the shot was off the mark, clanging off the rim into the waiting arms of a Cougar rebounder.

    The score at the end of the first quarter, 7-5 in favor of the Pioneers, reflected both teams’ offensive frustrations. By halftime, the Cougars had clawed their way into a tenuous, 22-18 advantage, thanks in no small measure to the inside exploits of their 6 ft., 5 in., power forward/center, Blanca Thomas’ 12 first half points, as well as 6 points contributed by 6 ft. forward Gracyn Gough, including a resounding 3-pointer in the second quarter.

    Watauga’s Charlotte Torgerson needs an acrobatic move to get to the basket against a Charlotte Catholic defender on Dec. 21 in the semifinals of the Cherokee Invitational. Photographic image by David Rogers.

    Sears provided most of Watauga’s first half offense, with 13 of the High Country quintet’s 18 opening points, including a 3-pointer and 4-for-4 shooting from the foul line. Torgerson recorded the game’s opening bucket but was quiet for the rest of the first 16 minutes. Scheffler nailed a 3-pointer in the first period, but was silent the rest of the first half.

    If there was an offensive star in the second half it was Scheffler, who added three more 3-pointers in the second half, often when the senior found herself on the receiving end of a kickout pass from Sears, drawing a crowd as she drove down the lane.

    Torgerson and Farthing added a 3-pointer each in the second half but were otherwise silenced by the Cougars. Sears was 3-for-4 from the charity stripe in the second half but otherwise only added a single bucket, from inside the paint.

    Meanwhile, the Cougars expanded their lead on the backs of Gough and Thomas, with the dynamic duo of junior “bigs” combining to pour in 28 of their team’s 31 second half points. Gough’s 19 points in the second half, including a pair of 3-pointers, did most of the damage.

    Brooke Scheffler (20) sets a pick for teammate Kate Sears against a Charlotte Catholic defender in the second half of the Pioneers’ semifinal test of the Cherokee Invitational on Dec. 21. Photographic image by David Rogers

    Gough finished the afternoon session with a game-high 25 points, Thomas close behind with 21. Sears posted a team-high 18 points for the Pioneers while Scheffler was also in double figures, with 14.

    “They obviously rebounded very well,” said Watauga head coach Laura Barry after the game. “I thought Brooke Scheffler did a very good job in fighting against (Blanca Thomas). We were late on a number of one-on-ones and we need to give more help than that. I thought we made some good runs. We did what we wanted to do at the start of the second half after not being great offensively in the first half. But then, Charlotte Catholic made their run right back at us. Their 8-0 or 9-0 run really took it out of us. We missed some shots.”

    By not scoring much, offensively, in the first half, Barry said the Pioneers dug too much of a hole.

    “I was optimistic at halftime but we have to get the shots in and make some stops. There were a few possessions where we just couldn’t stop them. That made it tough,” said Barry.

    With the win, Charlotte Catholic moves on to the Dec. 22 championship match against the other semifinal winner, Lake Norman. Watauga will play the third place game at 3:30 p.m., against Westminister, a  4A power from Atlanta, Ga. The Wildcats made their state’s Final Four in 2021-22, led by senior captain and Stanford commit, Courtney Ogden. They also have another NCAA D1 prospect, according to the Cherokee Invitational organizers, in junior guard Stella Chartrand. Westminster is 7-4 on the year, overall, but undefeated at 4-0 in Georgia 4A Region 6 play.

    Watauga will look to improve on its 7-3 overall record (all non-conference opponents). The Pioneers’ three losses include Shelby, Lake Norman, and Charlotte Catholic.

    Bonus Photos

     

     

     

  • Looking back at ‘firsts’: Terry Gardner honored by Avery County

    By Tim Gardner. NEWLAND, N.C. — Avery County High School has a rich and storied sports history. Since it opened with the 1968-69 school year following the consolidation of Crossnore, Newland and Cranberry High Schools, Avery teams, athletes and coaches have consistently enjoyed successes in the various sports in which they compete. They have captured numerous championships at conference, sectional, district, regional and state levels. Some have established team and individual records and achieved national, and even international recognition.

    On Dec. 15, at its Newland campus, school officials honored one of Avery’s former athletes for two of his Viking milestones.

    Avery High Head Football Coach Ethan Farmer (left) with Terry Gardner, who holds a football in recognition of him scoring all points in the school’s first win, 7-6 over Morganton in 1970, and a framed picture of him wearing his Vikings football uniform with designation of him scoring all points in the Vikings first win and for being the school’s first athlete to earn a letter in four sports (football, basketball, baseball and wrestling). A duplicate of the picture is on display in one of Avery High’s sports trophy cases. Photo by Tim Gardner

    Terry Gardner, an Avery County High School Class of 1971 graduate, was presented a football by Avery Schools Superintendent Dr. Dan Brigman, Avery High head football coach Ethan Farmer, principal Ricky Ward and athletics director Jay Smith in recognition of his scoring all of the points in Avery’s first-ever football win, 7-6, over Morganton in 1970. Gardner played both running back and kicker on offense and linebacker on defense. He made a touchdown run and then kicked the extra point to lead the Vikings. Those achievements are listed on the football he was given.

    Another sports milestone Gardner achieved: he was the first student-athlete at Avery High to earn a letter in four sports, including football, basketball (guard), baseball (third base) and wrestling.

    “I was honored to present the football and picture to Terry Gardner,’’ Farmer said. “It is amazing to honor him for his sports accomplishments at Avery County High School. As head football coach, I will always cherish the comment Terry made during the presentation: ‘I learned all about life with a ball at my feet.’ Congratulations again, Terry, and Go Vikings!”

    Left to right: Avery High Athletics Director Jay Smith, Head Football Coach Ethan Farmer, Athlete Honoree Terry Gardner (with football and framed football uniform picture), Principal Ricky Ward and Avery Schools Superintendent Dr. Dan Brigman on December 15. Photo by Tim Gardner

    Dr. Brigman added, “It is a pleasure to honor Terry for his tremendous accomplishments that occurred during the beginning years of Avery County High School. We are fortunate to have a history of great athletes and this is a great opportunity to honor our past as we plan for our future. Congratulations to Terry Gardner!”

    Gardner expressed appreciation for being honored by the school.

    “I am deeply thankful to Dr. Brigman, Coach Farmer, Mr. Ward and Mr. Smith for providing such wonderful recognition to me by presenting me with the football and framed picture, as well as having my picture displayed in one of the school’s athletics trophy cases,” Gardner said. “Again, I appreciate the tremendous generosity of these four gentlemen. It is always special to be honored by your school. I have been greatly blessed in my life, which includes the opportunity to attend Avery High School and participate in its athletic programs.”

    Throughout his sports career, Gardner proclaimed himself as a “team player” and attributes all his accomplishments to his teammates in every sport he played. So, he said, all honors he has ever received is partly those of his teammates, too.

    Jimmy Hall Heaton, who coached Gardner as Avery High’s first head football coach said of him: “Terry was an excellent football player, both offensively and defensively. He was a very tough player for my teams as well as an overall, highly-accomplished athlete. He was a true team player in each sport in which he competed. And he possessed a strong work ethic and a deep passion for sports.”

    Following graduation from Avery High, Gardner attended Tabernacle Baptist College in Greenville, South Carolina. He is an ordained minister and has pastored several churches, including in Avery County. He is also an accomplished singer and musician and has been a member of several gospel music groups. Gardner participated in several religious mission trips to Jamaica, where he helped build homes for impoverished residents as well as supplying them with Bibles and various food and household needs.

    Gardner has worked many years in the construction business.

    Another milestone Gardner achieved through his faith in God and with the Almighty’s help came on December 2, 2022, when he learned from his doctor that he has defeated cancer for the second time in the past year.

    Terry Gardner is one of four sons born to Lee and Grace Gardner and he was raised in the Ingalls Community of Avery County. Terry is married (wife Della) and they live in Marion, NC. Terry has five children—Rebekah, Rosa Elizabeth, Sara Lee and twins Mark and Mary Grace. Sadly, Mary Grace perished in a vehicle accident in 1989 when she was only 7 years old. Terry also has three grandchildren—Levi and Austin Pendley and Dalton Hughes. Like their grandfather, all three played football. And Dalton also played for Avery High.

  • Watauga powers past the Generals, 64-33, in Cherokee tourney’s opening round

    By David Rogers. CHEROKEE, N.C. — It took awhile for the Watauga High School women’s basketball team to get their bearings but once they did… well, let’s just say the Generals of Lee High School (Huntsville, Ala.), general-lee (to coin a phrase) didn’t stand a chance in the opening round of the Cherokee Invitational on Dec. 20. A relatively tight first half snowballed into a runaway in favor of the Pioneers, 64-33.


    Bonus photos at bottom of story


    Hosted in the Harrah’s Cherokee Convention Center with a lot of open space around the specially laid and larger (college-size) basketball court, in the first half many of the Pioneers’ shots were coming up short.

    Diane McGlamery scored all four of her points for Watauga against Lee High School in the fourth quarter. The game was played in the opening round of the Cherokee Invitational at the Harrah’s Cherokee Convention Center. Photographic image by David Rogers

    “It was a different kind of space,” admitted Pioneer point guard Kate Sears after the final buzzer had sounded. “I think it affected our depth perception early on.”

    The spatial environment challenged both teams, but especially Watauga’s players who squandered numerous opportunities to expand the lead even in the first quarter. It wasn’t just the long range attempts that were missing, but close-in layups and put-backs were sailing over and past the rim, too.

    Kate Sears lays it up and in against Lee High School (Huntsville, Ala.) in the opening round of the Cherokee Invitational on Dec. 20. Photographic image by David Rogers

    “in the first half, we just didn’t shoot very well,” said Pioneer head coach Laura Barry. “As a first game in (this convention hall) it was a bit awkward, but from here on out we should feel better. We shot it well, late in this game.”

    Barry admitted some nervousness because of some strategic changes in the way the team played against the Alabama team.

    Charlotte Torgerson moves the ball around during Watauga’s opening round game of the Cherokee Invitational on Dec. 20. Photographic image by David Rogers

    “We played a slower tempo that we are used to playing,” she said, “and I was a little nervous about how that would affect our offense. We were not in our 1-3-1 defense. We changed it up a bit in our other zone. Brooke Scheffler had two fouls, so that was one reason for the change, but we also knew from scouting that Lee hadn’t been handling the 2-3 zone very well. So we played to what we thought was a weakness of theirs.”

    Without question, it worked. The defense was disruptive and once the Pioneers started hitting their shots, they kept building on their lead.

    Defensively, Watauga limited just two Generals to score in double figures, London Harris (11) and Limaya Batimba (12).

    Brooke Scheffler launches a 3-pointer against Huntsville, Ala. based Lee High School in the opening round of the Cherokee Invitational on Dec. 20. Photographic image by David Rogers

    Offensively, sophomore point guard Kate Sears pitched in a game-high 21 points, while shooting guard Charlotte Torgerson added 13.

    Watauga turned deadly from 3-point land late and ended with 8 made shots from behind the arc by game’s end. Torgerson, Sears and Julie Matheson each had a pair of 3-pointers, with one each contributed by Brooke Scheffler and Laurel Kiker.

    With 9 and 8 points, respectively, Scheffler and Matheson were just shy of double figures.

    With pressure coming from behind, Kaitlyn Darner sizes up a shot in the first round of the Cherokee Invitational on Dec. 20, against Lee High School of Huntsville, Ala. Photographic image by David Rogers

    With the win, the Pioneers advance to play Charlotte Catholic, which features one of the nation’s top 10 ranked players in Blanca Thomas, a 6 ft. 5 in. junior center/power forward who has played on travel teams with Watauga’s Sears, according to both Barry and Will Sears (Kate’s father).

    “Blanca is a solid player and we would have gone up against them last year if we had won one that last game. They would have been our next opponent. They are a deep playoff team and they are returning a lot of players. They have solid guard play, but they are particularly strong inside. They have two posts and Blanca is a top 10 player in the country. It will be fun.”

    Watauga’s game against Charlotte Catholic is slated for 12 noon on Dec. 21.

    The Cherokee Invitational is a special event organized and produced by Insider Exposure. High Country Sports will have more on the event concept and origins in a future report.

    SCORING SUMMARY

    • WAT Kate Sears (21)
    • WAT Charlotte Torgerson (13)
    • LEE Limaya Batimba (12)
    • LEE London Harris (11)
    • WAT Brooke Scheffler (9)
    • WAT Julie Matheson (8)
    • WAT Laurel Kiker (5)
    • LEE Jayla Turner (5)
    • WAT Kaitlyn Darner (4)
    • WAT Diane McGlamery (4)
    • Kelis Silas (3)
    • LEE Morgan Pride (2)

    BONUS PHOTOS

    Charlotte Torgerson moves the ball around during Watauga’s opening round game of the Cherokee Invitational on Dec. 20. Photographic image by David Rogers

  • Lake Norman nearly doubles up on Watauga WBB, 74-40; Pioneer men fall, too, 77-43

    By David Rogers. MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Having two players in double figures scoring didn’t help Watauga on Dec. 16, not when host Lake Norman High School had four.

    Pioneer guards Kate Sears and Charlotte Torgerson scored 18 and 10 points, respectively, but the Wildcats countered with Kelsey Rhyne pouring in a game-high 20 points, with a double digit supporting cast of Alexis Shehan (18), Samantha Shehan (15), and Kristen Lewis-Williams (14).

    The Shehan sisters accounted for 11 of the Wildcats’ 15 first quarter points and 12 of Lake Norman’s 24 point second period outburst, allowing the home team to jump out to a comfortable, 39-12 lead by halftime.

    Watauga was limited to just a single 3-pointer by Sears in the first quarter as Lake Norman clamped down on defense, right from the get-go.

    On the night, the Pioneers recorded eight successful 3-pointers — by Sears (3), Torgerson (3) and Julie Matheson (2) — but there was little other offensive production.

    Interesting stat line: the Pioneers were 7-of-10 from the free throw line, but ALL of the free throw attempts came in the second half. Lake Norman was 1-for-1 in the first half, 4-of-7 in the second half.

    Led by Rhyne’s three 3-pointers, Lake Norman totaled five successful shots from behind the arc. Much of the rest were from inside the paint, with dominant play from the 5-11 Shehan twins, both sophomores for the Wildcats.

    Still undefeated at 10-0, Lake Norman will next go on the road to face A L Brown in Kannapolis on Dec. 19. At 6-2 on the still young season, Watauga will take any lessons learned to the Cherokee Invitational tournament (Dec. 20-22) for a first round matchup against Lee High School from Huntsville, Ala.

    SCORING SUMMARY

    • LN Kelsey Rhyne (20)
    • WAT Kate Sears (18)
    • LN Alexis Shehan (18)
    • LN Samantha Shehan (15)
    • LN Kirsten Lewis-Williams (14)
    • WAT Charlotte Torgerson (10)
    • LN Jeta North (3)
    • WAT Diane McGlamery (2)
    • WAT Brooke Scheffler (2)
    • LN Adason Buoniconti (2)
    • LN Nevaeh Atkins (2)
  • Watauga swims past South Caldwell, Hibriten in Lenoir tri-meet

    By David Rogers. LENOIR, N.C. — Top performances by Maggie Cheves, Virginia St. Clair, and Annabelle Stewart in the women’s races and Ryan Wood, Anson Ross and Michael Makdad helped Watauga’s swim teams to sweeping victories over Hibriten and South Caldwell on Dec. 14 at the Lenoir Aquatic Center in a Northwestern Conference tri-meet. The Pioneers roster depth was once again exhibited, with several noteworthy placings capturing team points.

    Team Scores – Women

    • Watauga 51, South Caldwell 42
    • Watauga 50, Hibriten 39

    Team Scores – Men

    • Watauga 59, South Caldwell 35
    • Watauga 74, Hibriten 13

    After the meet, Watauga head coach David Gragg commented not just on the day’s performance, but also with a look ahead at the future.

    “It was a good meet considering several key contributors were missing for all the teams,” said Gragg, “and the turnaround from Saturday was a lot quicker than anticipated.  The scores for the women were the closest they have been in years.  It was good to see them rise to the occasion.  Freedom is the only team we have not seen in the conference.  From the results of other meets, they will challenge the men.”

    NOTEWORTHY PERFORMANCES, WATAUGA WOMEN

    • 200 Medley Relay
      • 1st Watauga A, team of Lola Herring, Maggie Cheves, Macie Kent, Austin Dyer
      • 2nd Watauga B, team of Annie Willis, Sarah Green, Annabelle Stewart, Virginia St. Clair
    • 200 Freestyle
      • 3rd Cadence Smith
      • 4th Veronica Ryan
    • 200 Individual Medley
      • 1st Maggie Cheves
      • 3rd Macie Kent
    • 50 Freestyle (21 Pioneers were entered in the event)
      • 1st Virginia St. Clair
      • 3rd Lola Herring
      • 6th Annabelle Stewart
      • 9th Georgia Parker
      • 10th Austin Dyer
    • 100 Freestyle (27 Pioneers were entered in the event)
      • 1st Virginia St. Clair
      • 8th Jacqueline Shuman
      • 9th Cadence Smith
      • 10th Austin Dyer
    • 500 Freestyle
      • 3rd Madelyn Elmore
    • 200 Freestyle Relay
      • 1st Watauga A, team of Austin Dyer, Macie Kent, Lola Herring, Maggie Cheves
      • 5th Watauga B, team of Veronica Ryan, Cadence Smith, Jacqueline Shuman, Georgia Parker
      • 9th Watauga C, team of Adela Garmendia, Marley Woolard, Emerald Martinez, Grace Lesesnes
      • 10th Watauga D, team of Autumn Gardner, Emma Lewis, Bridget Flaherty, Katu Nzyoki
    • 100 Backstroke
      • 1st Annabelle Stewart
      • 6th Annie Willis
    • 100 Breaststroke
      • 1st Maggie Cheves
      • 6th Katu Nzyoki
    • `400 Freestyle Relay
      • 2nd, Watauga A, team of Annabelle Stewart, Grace Lesesne, Iyla Freed, Cadence Smith
      • 4th, Watauga B, team of Coco Mente, Madelyn Elmore, Ella Anderson, Veronica Ryan

    NOTEWORTH PERFORMANCES, WATAUGA MEN

    • 200 Medley Relay
      • 1st Watauga A, team of Anson Ross, Ryan Wood, Vaughn Ladd, Michael Makdad
      • 3rd Watauga B, team of Luke Hunter, Samuel Nixon, Samuel Rex, Nickolas Lyons
    • 200 Freestyle
      • 2nd Summit Allan
      • 3rd Trathan Gragg
    • 200 Individual Medley
      • 2nd Michael Makdad
    • 50 Freestyle (11 Pioneers entered)
      • 2nd Vaughn Ladd
      • 4th Anson Ross
      • 5th Levi Temple
      • 6th Drew Jasper
      • 7th Luke Hunter
      • 9th Arden Jackson
      • 10th Nickolas Lyons
    • 100 Butterfly
      • 1st Ryan Wood
      • 2nd Samuel Rex
    • 100 Freestyle (12 Pioneers entered)
      • 1st Anson Ross
      • 2nd Vaughn Ladd
      • 5th Levi Temple
      • 6th Summit Allan
      • 8th Trathan Gragg
      • 9th Drew Jasper
      • 10th Arden Jackson
    • 500 Freestyle
      • 2nd Ryan Wood
    • 200 Freestyle Relay
      • 1st Watauga A, team of Levi Temple, Vaughn Ladd, Anson Ross, Michael Makdad
      • 2nd Watauga B, team of Trathan Gragg, Samuel Rex, Drew Jasper, Summit Allan
      • 6th Watauga C, team of Arden Jackson, Ezekiel Walker, Asbury Ross, Silas Powell
    • 100 Backstroke
      • 2nd Luke Hunter
      • 3rd Nickolas Lyons
    • 100 Breaststroke
      • 1st Michael Makdad
      • 3rd Samuel Nixon
    • 400 Freestyle Relay
      • 2nd Watauga A, team of Ryan Wood, Arden Jackson, Haines Heistand, Drew Jasper
      • 3rd Watauga B, team of Silas Powell, Trathan Gragg, Luke Hunter, Summit Allan
  • Farthing’s four 3s lead Watauga to 48-41 win at Mountain Heritage

    By David Rogers. BURNSVILLE, N.C. — Yet another member of the Watauga women’s basketball team stepped up with offensive production on Dec. 13. This time it was Caroline Farthing’s game-high 17 points — including a pair 3-pointers in the opening quarter and a total of three from long distance in the first half — that propelled the Pioneers. Watauga won on the road in a 48-41 win over Mountain Heritage.

    The usual suspects in offensive production for the Pioneers, Kate Sears and Charlotte Torgerson, also had significant roles with 12 and 10 points, respectively.

    Led by Farthing, Watauga opened a with a 15-6 lead after one quarter of play but Mountain Heritage fought back with a strong second quarter to trail by only one, 19-18 at intermission. A 19 point outburst led by 3-pointers from Sears and Farthing in the third period, however, combined with a strong Pioneer defensive effort in the second half provided ample separation to seal the win for Watauga.

    With 10 points each, Ava Webb and Lilly Neill provided most of the scoring for the Cougars.

    With the win, Watauga moves to 6-1 on the early season. They go on the road to Lake Norman on Dec. 16, before tackling Lee High School of Huntsville, Ala. in the first round of the Cherokee Invitational tournament at the Harrah’s Casino Resort Convention Center in Cherokee, N.C. on Tuesday, Dec. 20 (11:30 a.m. tipoff).

    SCORING

    • WAT Caroline Farthing (17)
    • WAT Kate Sears (12)
    • WAT Charlotte Torgerson (10)
    • MTN  Ava Webb (10)
    • MTN Lilly Neill (10)
    • MTN Cloey Morrow (8)
    • MTN Vega Deyton (7)
    • MTN Keira Wilson (6)
    • WAT Diane McGlamery (4)
    • WAT Kaitlyn Darner (3)
    • WAT Brooke Scheffler (2)

     

  • Mountain Heritage completes sweep of Watauga, 75-46

    By David Rogers. BURNSVILLE, N.C. — A big, athletic Mountain Heritage team again proved too much for Watauga on Dec. 13. Less than a week after the Cougars overwhelmed the Pioneers at Lentz Eggers Gym, they did the same in the rematch on their own home court, 75-46.

    Listed at 6 ft., 7 in., the Cougars’ Max Smoker can play either point guard or power forward and the versatile athlete burned the Pioneers for a game-high 29 points on the night, mostly inside but also adding a pair of 3-pointers and making good on 3 of 4 shots from the charity stripe. His 10 points in the first quarter accounted for more than half of the Cougars’ 17 points in the opening period, Mountain Heritage jumping out to a 17-8 lead at the end of the initial stanza.

    Watauga actually outscored their hosts, 17-14, in the second quarter behind nine points from Wyatt Kohout and six from long range by Wyatt Keller. That performance pulled the Pioneers to within six points by intermission, 31-25, but the Cougars exploded for 22 points in each of the final two periods while clamping down on the Pioneers, defensively.

    Kohout finished the game with a team-high 15 points. No other Pioneers managed double figures.

    With this win over a competitive 4A school in Watauga, Mountain Heritage leaves little doubt that they aim to be a factor in the 1A state playoffs at the end of the regular season. Now 5-1 in their non-conference schedule (the only loss on Nov. 28 to an as yet undefeated Enka [Asheville] team), Mountain Heritage will next test their mettle in conference games at Rosman before two home games vs. Owen (Black Mountain) and a rematch vs. Enka before Christmas, on Dec. 21.

    The loss evens Watauga’s early season, non-conference record to 3-3. The Pioneers have three more games before the Christmas holiday: at Lake Norman on Friday, Dec. 16, at home against Davie on Saturday, Dec. 17, and at T.C. Roberson in Asheville on Dec. 21. Their first action after Christmas is the High Country Holiday Classic hosted by Watauga, Dec. 28-29-30.

    SCORING

    • MTN Max Smoker (29)
    • WAT Wyatt Kohout (15)
    • MTN Jace Loven (14)
    • WAT Wyatt Keller (7)
    • MTN Adam Ledford (6)
    • WAT Grant Morrison (5)
    • WAT Maddox Greene (5)
    • MTN Jesse Shelton (5)
    • MTN Colby Capps (5)
    • WAT Jackson Pryor (4)
    • MTN Aiden Silvers (4)
    • MTN Vaughn Smoker (3)
    • MTN Griffen Ray (3)
    • WAT Davis Hunt (2)
    • WAT Nate Gutschall (2)
    • WAT Seth Greene (2)
    • WAT Josiah Railey (2)
    • WAT Cole Horine (2)
    • MTN Lawson Higgins (2)