By David Rogers. MOORESVILLE, N.C. — How do you spell R-E-S-P-E-C-T?
A fast start by No. 3 seeded Watauga women’s basketball led to an early, 8-point lead over No. 2 Lake Norman in the Elite 8 round of the NCHSAA 4A Women’s Basketball Championships, but defensive adjustments by the host Wildcats — including respectful double- and triple-teaming of Pioneer point guard Kate Sears — proved to be too much for the High Country’s favorite daughters. Lake Norman took command in the second quarter and cruised to a convincing, 86-66 win and advance to the state playoffs’ Final Four.
Lake Norman will face No. 1 seeded McDowell in the West bracket’s championship match while the 4A East bracket No. 1, Hoggard, will meet No. 2 Wakefield in the other state semifinals encounter.
Against Watauga, Lake Norman’s strategy of double- and at times triple-teaming Sears proved effective. The Pioneers’ other shooters, Blair Haines, Julie Matheson and Izzy Torgerson, did their best to fill the void and keep Watauga within reach through the first half, but ultimately the loss of Sears’ prolific offensive production took its toll.
Sears finished with 18 points, well below her season average, while Haines used five 3-pointers to record a team-high 25 points on the night. Matheson added nine points and Torgerson eight points, including two from long distance.
“We got off to a great start,” said Watauga head coach Bill Torgerson after the game. We got up eight (points) and forced a timeout. We were scoring it well and getting some stops that kept them from getting into the best parts of their press.
“But the defense was what we expected,” added the second-year Pioneer head coach. “They face-guarded Kate and had another player behind her. Every time Kate caught it, they trapped her. Kate did an incredible job of continuing to work to get open and then connect on long passes. Her teammates did a great job executing in breaking to the spots they were supposed to be in. Blair Haines was one the players that really seized the opportunity of all of those double-teams on Kate. I thought she played her best game, shot it well, and her 25 points were obviously a huge part of what kept us in it.”
The Wildcats’ scoring outburst in the second quarter and beyond was led by junior shooting guard Kelsey Rhyne (game-high 29 points) and a pair of Shehan sisters, Samantha (14 points) and Alexis (23 points), both seniors. Rhyne’s scoring included five shots made from behind the 3-point arc.
For Watauga’s young squad, going up against Lake Norman’s senior laden roster with five athletes 5-10 or taller, including three over 6-0, was a stern test against an athletic team with a distinct height advantage.
“It was great to see how fearless our players were,” said Torgerson. “We didn’t look scared at all. The players were aggressive and made a lot of winning plays. It’s been a heck of run these seniors have given us. Their leadership is incredible, with how coachable they are and the effort and focus they give. Some of the underclassmen talked in the locker room after the game about all the different ways they lead from talking on the floor to creating a family atmosphere.”
Perhaps Watauga’s early energy was fueled by the large crowd of Pioneer supporters turning out for this important game on the road.
“It was another great crowd. Our side was full and I know the players loved it when they came running out for warm ups and were greeted by all of those cheers. The community has seen and appreciates what high character these young women show on the court — in their competitiveness, their perseverance, and their sportsmanship. When the community is rooting for the players, I think the players try to rise to that standard and make the community proud. They’ve done a tremendous job of representing our Watauga community well.”
SCORING SUMMARY
- WAT – Blair Haines (25 points)
- WAT – Kate Sears (18)
- WAT – Julie Matheson (9)
- WAT – Izzy Torgerson (8)
- WAT – Chloe Wilson (3)
- WAT – Kaitlyn Darner (3)
- LKN – Kelsey Rhyne (29)
- LKN – Alexis Shehan (23)
- LKN – Samantha Shehan (14)
- LKN – Rayana Minard (9)
- LKN – Adason Buoniconti (6)
- LKN – Aliya Williams (3)
- LKN – Addison Sirianni (2)
BONUS PHOTOS
All photographic images by Jared Everett for High Country Sports
