By Katherine Jamtgaard for App State Sports. SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The App State women’s basketball team (2-5) faced a tough Wofford (6-2) squad on Saturday, falling to the Terriers, 71-42, on the road.
After a dry first quarter for the Black and Gold, Harris sunk back-to-back threes to cut into Wofford’s lead in the second. Shortly after, Harris found her way to the hoop for a layup, tallying eight of her 13 points in the second quarter alone.
Wofford’s hot shooting and strong rebounding throughout the game propelled them to a 29-point lead at the close of the third period. Jackie Carman, Lilly Hatton, and Rachael Rose combined for 42 of the Terriers’ points on the afternoon.
UP NEXT
App State will host Johnson C. Smith on Dec. 10 at the Holmes Convocation Center. The game is set for a 2 p.m. tipoff and will be broadcasted on ESPN+. Saturday’s game will be the Mountaineers’ Community Appreciation Game, where fans can get half price tickets.
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — If the Watauga men’s basketball team does this again, it will have become habit-forming: falling behind by double digits in the first half, only to stage a comeback rally and win.
Grant Morrison (3) poured in 21 points for Watauga against regional rival Avery County on Dec. 2. Photographic image by David Rogers
The Pioneers trailed regional rival Avery County on Dec. 2 by 11 points midway through the second quarter before closing the deficit to 34-30 at intermission. A scoring outburst in the second half combined with shutting down the Vikings, defensively, allowed Watauga to come away with a decisive, 76-62 victory and improve the team’s early season record to 2-0. They followed a similar script a week earlier in letting Shelby get ahead in the first half by 21, then rallying to defeat the Golden Lions, 67-59.
Avery County’s Mason Bailey scored 10 points in the first quarter, almost half of the Vikings’ offensive output (22) in the period, while Landon Ingham added six more. Watauga was whistled four times in the quarter for fouls, sending Bailey and Ingham to the charity stripe where they made a combined six of 10 free throw attempts in the game’s opening stanza. Avery stunned Watauga in the game’s first quarter, outpointing the Pioneers, 22-14.
Young Cade Keller didn’t score, but played key minutes in distributing the ball and penetrating to create opportunities for teammates. Photographic image by David Rogers
The atmosphere was electric in Lentz Eggers Gym for Watauga’s first home game of the 2022-23 season. Nearly full grandstands on both sides of the court were accentuated by enthusiastic, even “dueling” student sections. Avery’s student contingent got more animated and louder with each first quarter bucket by their side, while Watauga’s costume theme for the evening was some combination of “Christmas sweater” and “Santa’s elves.” If the student sections weren’t applauding a good play or a score, they were trading insults — all in good-natured fun.
Pioneer forward Grant Morrison arched in a couple of 3-pointers along with another bucket from short range in the second quarter, leading Watauga to close what was an 11-point gap and narrow it to just four by halftime, 34-30.
Wyatt Kohout (4) was a strong inside presence for Watauga on Dec. 2 against Avery County. Photographic image by David Rogers
It was the third quarter that proved a key turning point in this game, following adjustments made by the Pioneers at halftime. Watauga outpointed Avery County, 19-10 in the third frame and kept up the scoring pace in the final quarter, 24-18.
“We had to do a better job of boxing out and keep them from dominating the boards, rebounding,” explained Watauga forward Wyatt Keller to High Country Sports after the game about the adjustments at halftime. “We had to limit their second and third opportunities. Offensively, we started pushing the ball up the floor and passing the ball around quick definitely helped. It can leave a man open for a shot. That really helped us most. I was fortunate enough a few of those times to be that man open and take advantage.”
Indeed. Keller was successful on six, 3-point attempts on the night, four of them in the second half.
The Watauga Pacers dance team added to the electric atmosphere in Lentz Eggers Gym, performing at halftime of both the men’s and women’s games. Photographic image by David Rogers
In spite of his six 3-pointers, Keller’s 20 points was not the game-high points leader for the night. That honor belonged to Morrison, who accounted for 21 points, including four shots from beyond the 3-point arc and a number of free throws as he was fouled in the fourth quarter by the Vikings. Maddox Greene and Wyatt Kohout were also in double figures, scoring 13 and 10, respectively.
Although forward Jackson Pryor had some key buckets in the second half, he got into early foul trouble and had to sit a large portion of the first two periods. Greene got into foul trouble, too, replaced at the point by Cole Horine.
Maddox Greene (15) battles to the hoop against Avery County on Dec. 2. Photographic image by David Rogers
In talking with High Country Sports after the game, head coach Bryson Payne acknowledged that Pryor’s and Greene’s minutes were limited and praised the guys who stepped up, proving the team’s roster depth.
“Being our first home game and it was a pretty big crowd… You know, we don’t have a ton of experience at the varsity level on our team,” said Payne. “Coming out, I wouldn’t say we were nervous, but so amped up. We were almost over-pressuring at times which was giving up some easy baskets. Then we had that run and in the second half we just buckled down and played defense and worked for some easy shots and they went in. Both of these first two games we started slow and had to be a second half team.
Jackson Pryor was in foul trouble for most of the first half against Avery County on Dec. 2, but returned in the second half to make his presence felt inside. Photographic image by David Rogers
“Jackson Pryor got into foul trouble and had to sit, but Morgan Henry came in and played great, stepping up and battling in the post for us. Then Maddox got in some foul trouble and we had some guys step up and lead that comeback,” Payne added. “In the second half, we executed better and rebound, too. Credit Avery because they crash the boards really hard. They were doing a really good job of getting offensive rebounds. One of the things we talked about at halftime was limiting their offensive boards (by boxing out), as well as make them take tougher shots.”
Watauga will go on the road Dec. 5 to play at West Wilkes, then return to Lentz Eggers Gym on Dec. 6 to face A C Reynolds, both non-conference games. On Dec. 9 and Dec. 13, the Pioneers will see a home and away exchange with Burnsville-based Mountain Heritage, then travel to Lake Norman on Dec. 16. They have two additional games before Christmas, at home against Davie (Mocksville, N.C.) on Dec. 17 and away at T C Roberson on Dec. 21, in Asheville.
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Having four players in double figures scoring is a good way to win basketball games, especially when it is combined with good defense and exceptional rebounding on both ends of the floor. Watauga’s women’s basketball team found that to be a winning formula on Dec. 2, running by regional rival Avery County, 78-46.
Watauga’s Julie Matheson (1) attempts to block a shot near the basket by Avery County’s Cora Hollifield on Dec. 1 at Lentz Eggers Gym. Photographic image by David Rogers
Point guard Kate Sears and shooting guard Charlotte Torgerson tallied 11 points each in the opening quarter, individually scoring more than the Vikings entire team (10) during the period. For the entire contest, Sears finished with a game-high 25 points while Torgerson’s 21 points wasn’t far behind.
They approached getting the ball into the basket differently on this night. While Sears did have two buckets from long distance in the second quarter, most of her points came from inside the paint, either driving the lane or from along the baseline. Torgerson hit three from beyond the arc and added a fourth in the final quarter. From “downtown,” Torgerson was good on 4-of-5 three-point attempts.
Watauga’s Brooke Scheffler and Caroline Farthing joined Sears and Torgerson in double figures, each accounting for 11 points. Most of the work by these two forwards was done inside, a lot of the work cleaning up under the basket, rebounding.
Watauga point guard Kate Sears drives the lane with a layup on Dec. 1 against Avery County at Lentz Eggers Gym. Photographic image by David Rogers
The Vikings were led in the scoring column by Maddy Barrett (9), Zoie McClarrin, Cora Hollifield (8) and Khloe Burleson (7).
“I asked the team for energy coming into the game, before it started,” said Watauga head coach Laura Barry afterwards. “I thought we had that. I liked the pressure and we forced the pace, which is what we wanted to do. We gave up some rebounds and some open threes, but overall our offensive pace dictated the game. Everything is better when you hit shots, but we worked for open shots and took good ones. We really set the tone early.”
Avery County’s Cassidy Lee (24) has an open look at a 3-pointer against Watauga on Dec. 1. Photographic image by David Rogers
Next action for the Pioneers will be at home on Dec. 6 vs. A.C. Reynolds. The non-conference encounter is scheduled to tipoff at 6:30 p.m. There is a home-and-away series schedule for Dec. 9 (home) and Dec. 13 (away) with Mountain Heritage (Burnsville, N.C.), then a pre-Christmas tournament in Cherokee, N.C., Dec. 20-22, before returning home to host R J Reynolds in the first round of the High Country Holiday Classic on Dec. 28.
The Vikings have five home games before Christmas, including St. Stephens (Dec. 6), Ashe County (Dec. 9), Rosman (conference game, Dec. 12), Draughn (conference game, Dec. 16), and McDowell (non-conference, Dec. 20). They have one additional game before Christmas, on Dec. 22, at Rosman (conference game).
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — While Watauga High School’s Nate Gutschall poured in a game-high 16 points, 12 of the 13 players on the Pioneers’ junior varsity men’s team got in the scorebook in manhandling Avery County’ junior varsity, 63-32.
Watauga men’s JV player Noah Dishman shoots for a layup against Avery County JV on Dec. 2. Photographic image by David Rogers
The JV Pioneers outscored the Vikings, 21-11 in the second period to lead at intermission, 33-17. A pair of three-pointers by Avery’s Jaxton Boone helped keep the game interesting, but a strong second half by Gutschall, Jackson Love, Landon Smith, and Brodie Sukow didn’t allow the Vikings to close the gap.
More photos at bottom of article. All photos by David Rogers.
By Bret Strelow for App State Sports.BOONE, N.C. — App State Men’s Golf officially added Alex Martin and Jack Seward during the recent signing period.
Martin, a Thomasville, N.C., native who is in his second year at Sandhills Community College following his graduation from Uwharrie Ridge Six-Twelve, and Seward, a Florence, S.C., native who is a prep senior at Trinity Collegiate School, are set to join coach Alan Cress’ program in advance of the 2023-24 season.
Martin finished second place individually while helping lead Sandhills to the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III national team title earlier this year. He shot 73-76-72-73—294 at Chautauqua Golf Club in New York as Sandhills, which is located in Pinehurst, N.C., finished 89 strokes ahead of the event runner-up.
Martin also finished second overall in the NJCAA Region 10 Tournament. In high school, he was the conference player of the year as a standout at Uwharrie Ridge Six-Twelve, which is located in Trinity, N.C.
“They have a great golf program (at App State),” Martin said.
Relatively new to golf after taking up the sport in 2020, Seward was a captain for a Trinity Collegiate School team that won a South Carolina Independent School Association AAA state title in April.
Seward competed in the 2022 U.S. Junior Amateur in Oregon over the summer after qualifying by shooting a 69 to earn co-medalist honors at The Links at Stono Ferry in Charleston, S.C.
“App State felt like home as soon as I arrived on campus,” Seward said.
By Bobby Neal for App State Sports. CHARLOTTE, N.C. – App State men’s basketball dropped to 2-1 on the road in a 72-61 finish against Charlotte.
The Mountaineers opened the game with an incredible first half that included a 25-0 run and a 7-7 start from Christopher Mantis, who started for the first time and scored a career-high 25 points by going 10-15 from the floor with five three-pointers.
Mantis had four rebounds, two assists, a block and a steal in 35 minutes of play, the most he has ever recorded. His 25 points were the most by any App State player this season.
The Mountaineers were up 30-7 in the first eight minutes of play before the 49ers began climbing back, leading to a halftime score of 42-31. The lead went back and forth throughout the second half as Charlotte pulled away in the closing moments.
Donovan Gregory played aggressively, earning season-highs in rebounds (9) and assists (7).
Justin Abson, who also started for the first time, had his fifth game with at least three blocks, continuing his streak of at least one block in every game of his career. His total of 25 this season ranks fifth in the country, first in the Sun Belt and first among freshmen.
The Mountaineers will return to action this Tuesday at home when they host Carlow at 6:30 p.m.
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — There will again be plenty of hoops action locally between Christmas Day and New Year’s. Eight high school men’s teams and four women’s teams will come to the High Country Dec. 28-30 for the 2nd Annual High Country Holiday Classic basketball tournament.
In the inaugural, 2021 event, Watauga defeated Providence Academy (Johnson City, Tenn.) to capture the men’s division title, 71-65, and Watauga outlasted Ashe County, 63-58, to win the women’s division trophy.
SCHEDULE
Wednesday, Dec. 28th
Game 1 12pmMEN – Apex Friendship vs Central Davidson
Game 2 1:30pm WOMENÂ – Ashe vs Central Davidson
Game 3 3pm MENÂ – Ashe vs Johnson County
Game 4Â 4:30pm MENÂ – Hickory Christian vs Pine Lake Prep
Game 5 6pm WOMENÂ – Watauga vs RJ Reynolds
Game 6Â 7:30pm MENÂ – Watauga vs Forbush
Thursday, Dec 29th
Game 1 12pm MENÂ – Round two, consolation 1
Game 2 1:30pm MENÂ – Round two, consolation 2
Game 3 3pm WOMENÂ – 3rd Place gameÂ
Game 4Â 4:30pm WOMENÂ – Championship game
Game 5 6pmBOYS – Round two, Semi-final 1
Game 6Â 7:30pmBOYS – Round two, Semi-final 2
Friday, Dec 30th
Game 1 2:30pmBOYS – Round three, consolation
Game 2 4:00pmBOYS – Round three, consolation
Game 3 5:30pmBOYS – 3rd Place game
Game 4Â 7:00pmBOYS – Championship game
All games will be played in Watauga High School’s Lentz Eggers Gym (main gym). Spectator admission is $10, $5 for students. A 3-day Tournament Pass is available for $25.
By Joey Jones for App State Sports. BOONE, N.C. – App State announced the following football staff changes Friday:
Defensive line coach Robert Nunn and Director of Athletic Performance Brad Bielaniec are no longer with the program.
Nunn served as the team’s defensive line coach for the past three seasons. He was a position coach in the NFL for 19 years before returning to the college ranks in 2020.
Bielaniec was hired as the Director of Athletic Performance in 2020 after also serving as an assistant football strength and conditioning coach with the Mountaineers in 2018.
BOONE, N.C. — App State right tackle Cooper Hodges has been named a third-team All-American by PFF College.
A fifth-year redshirt junior from Glen St. Mary, Fla., Hodges ended the 2022 regular season with 51 straight starts and became a four-time All-Sun Belt selection when league honors are announced Thursday.
Hodges’ overall blocking grade of 85.3 from PFF this season ranks fifth overall among starting FBS offensive tackles and No. 1 among starting right tackles at the FBS level.
Hodges’ run-blocking grade of 86.2 is also fifth nationally among starting FBS offensive tackles and No. 1 among starting right tackles. A two-year captain, he allowed just one sack and two quarterback hits in 428 pass-blocking snaps.
The Mountaineers have produced at least one FBS All-American in each of the last four seasons.
By David Rogers. WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The Watauga women’s indoor track team did not win any events at the Titan Clash I meet on Dec. 1, but solid performances, roster depth, and broad participation all contributed to a second place finish among the nine teams competing in the distaff division.
Team scores: Olympic (123), Watauga (93.5), Reagan (91.5). West Forsyth (59), Mount Tabor (53), North Surry (43), R J Reynolds (33), Forbush (32), and Alexander Central (4).
