By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Hibriten freshman Aamori Patterson lit up the scoreboard with 6-of-14 shooting from behind the 3-point line, including four in the first half, while senior teammate Emma Poarch made 16 consecutive free throws in the second half to account for all but two of her 18 points. The dynamic duo helped power the Panthers past regular season co-champions, Ashe County, 66-47, on Feb. 22 in the semifinals of the Northwestern Conference tournament.
With the win, Hibriten will face Watauga in the tournament championship game on Friday, Feb. 23, with tipoff scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in Lentz Eggers Gym.
Poarch, the Hibriten senior guard who head coach Maury Patterson described as the team’s floor leader, recorded a double-double on the evening with 11 rebounds to go with her 18 points. She was on the court for all but two minutes of the 32-minute contest. Patterson, the freshman guard, poured in a game-high 22 points, including 18 of those accounted for by her shooting from long range. Patterson also poached a game-high three steals.
Ashe County came into the conference tournament semifinal heavily favored after embarrassing Watauga in the regular season finale in West Jefferson to share the regular season title with the Pioneers. Hibriten was 5-5 in league play, losing twice to both the Huskies as well as Watauga, but also splitting the home-and-home series with Alexander Central and South Caldwell.
On this night at least, the Huskies could hardly find the bucket, shooting just 29 percent from the field (making just 17-of-58 shots) and good on only 3-of-17 attempts from behind the 3-point arc. Even worse, the shot only 43 percent from the foul line (10-of-23) and committed a whopping 17 turnovers.
Husky guard Lexie Dawson recorded her own double-double in the losing effort, with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Ally Greer pulled down 10 rebounds.
Hibriten head coach Maury Patterson was understandably pleased after the game.
“We worked hard for this,” he said. “Every practice. All credit goes to Jesus Christ and the girls. Emma Poarch is the floor leader and her (success) has come from her tremendous work ethic.”
Patterson’s freshman daughter, Aamori Patterson, was instrumental in helping the Panthers gain separation in the first half with her 3-pointers.
“I started out in one place and knew I really had to pick it up. I really wanted to do my part,” she said afterwards.
Hardly a week removed from surgery to repair a broken nose, by halftime against Ashe County Poarch had discarded her protective gear.
“I could hardly breathe,” she said, before admitting that her free throw performance of 16 straight catching nothing but net resulted from a lot of work. “I shoot a LOT of free throws, every practice.”
Including non-conference games, with the win Hibriten now sports an 18-7 overall record for the season while Ashe County dips to 16-8.
Key Performances
- HIB – Emma Poarch: 18 points, 11 rebounds, 16-of-16 from the free throw line. 3 assists
- HIB – Aamori Patterson: 22 points, 3 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals
- HIB – Karlee Starnes: 9 points, 5 assists, 2 steals
- HIB – Parker Boggs: 9 points, 3 assists
- HIB – Jada Brown: 6 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 steals
- ASH – Lexie Dawson: 18 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists
- ASH – Ally Greer: 10 rebounds, 5 points
- ASH – Abby Sheets: 9 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals
- ASH – Abby Eller: 6 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists
- ASH – Paige Overcash: 9 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals
