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Watauga WBB makes it a nail biter before falling to North Wilkes, 70-67

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Watauga WBB makes it a nail biter before falling to North Wilkes, 70-67

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Two different clans of Vikings battled the Pioneers in Lentz Eggers Gym on the weekend, with two very different results. After dispatching the Avery County Vikings on Dec. 6, Watauga couldn’t overcome a broad-based scoring barrage by the North Wilkes Vikings on Dec. 7, losing 70-67.

Pioneer guard Izzy Torgerson drained five of her six 3-pointers on the day in the second half while Julie Matheson and Blair Haines each added two more after intermission, the trio combining with senior Kate Sears to narrow a 9-point deficit going into the final stanza and nearly pulling off a come-from-behind victory.

Blair Haines was successful on consecutive 3-point attempts early in Watauga’s game vs. North Wilkes on Dec. 7. Photographic by David Rogers for High Country Sports

Overall, it was arguably the best long distance shooting of the young season for the Pioneers, who combined for 14 successful 3-point shots for the game, including Torgerson with six, Matheson with four, and Haines with four.

But the Vikings also proved worthy from behind the arc, with sharpshooters Ralee Bare and Meredith Tomko each finding success three times from long distance, combined with Ava Johnson and KK Kinder each successful from beyond the arc twice. Add sophomore Shalyn Bare’s effectiveness in the paint, and the Vikings just had too much firepower on this day.

With the outcome of the game coming down to the last several seconds, Watauga head coach Bill Torgerson had a lot of praise for North Wilkes’ play, as well as for his own team’s resilience in almost forging the comeback.

“These were two pretty good high school basketball teams,” said Torgerson. “It kind of had the feel of a state playoffs game because it was Saturday afternoon and a rather quiet gym. But these were two really good teams playing at an incredibly high level. I was impressed with our grit and resilience, but also how well North Wilkes played. They have talented players making shots… I would say North Wilkes is one of the best, most fundamentally sound teams executing on both sides of the ball that we will play.”

North Wilkes improves to 5-0 on the young season, Watauga falls to 1-3. The Pioneers play at East Lincoln on Dec. 14, then have a rematch against North Wilkes at their place on Dec. 17 before returning to play a next home game vs. Davie on Dec. 20. They have one other pre-Christmas game scheduled, at Northern Guilford on Dec. 21.

North Wilkes, which went deep into the state 2A playoffs a year ago (losing in the 2A West semifinals, next travels to East Wilkes on Dec. 9, then hosts East Surry on Dec. 13.

SCORING SUMMARY

  • NW – Shalyn Bare – 19
  • WAT – Izzy Torgerson – 18
  • NW – Ralee Bare – 17
  • WAT – Julie Matheson – 16
  • WAT – Kate Sears – 14
  • NW – Meredith Tomko – 14
  • WAT – Blair Haines – 12
  • NW – Allie Farrington – 8
  • NW – Ava Johnson – 6
  • NW – KK Kinder – 6
  • WAT – Kaitlyn Darner – 3
  • WAT – Chloe Wilson – 2

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By Bret Strelow. BOONE, N.C. — A respected offensive play-caller at both the NFL and college levels, Dowell Loggains has been chosen as the next head coach of App State Football, Director of Athletics Doug Gillin announced Saturday.

Loggains (pronounced LOG-ans), 44, is the 23rd head football coach in program history. His five-year contract, which runs through the 2029 season, was approved Saturday afternoon by Interim Chancellor Heather Norris and the Appalachian State University Board of Trustees.

Most recently the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the top-15 ranked South Carolina Gamecocks, Loggains will be formally introduced Monday during a noon press conference at Kidd Brewer Stadium’s Grandview Ballroom that is open to the public and will also be streamed live on App State Football’s YouTube, Facebook and X pages.

“We have a longstanding and proud football tradition at App State, with a national reputation for excellence and success on and off the field,” Norris said. “App State has one of the nation’s best home-field advantages, as well as a strong academic record. I’d like to thank Doug Gillin for his leadership and his work to quickly hire a new head football coach. We are looking forward to Dowell becoming a Mountaineer.”

“We are very excited for Dowell Loggains to be the next leader of App State Football and to welcome him, his wife, Beth, and their children, Reese, Aven, Connor and Ryne, to the App Family,” Gillin said. “He brings experience as a leader and play-caller at the highest levels of professional and college football. He is a great recruiter and believes strongly in building relationships. He is aligned with our core values of academic integrity, competitive excellence, social responsibility and world-class experience. This is a great day for App State.”

Season tickets for the 2025 App State football season will go on sale soon.

Before serving as South Carolina’s offensive coordinator the last two seasons, Loggains was an assistant for two years at his alma mater, Arkansas, after spending 16 years in the NFL (2005-20) with time as an offensive coordinator or quarterbacks coach for the Tennessee Titans (2010-13), Cleveland Browns (2014), Chicago Bears (2015-17), Miami Dolphins (2018) and New York Jets (2019-20).

“My family and I are thrilled to join the Mountaineer family and build on the rich championship tradition of App State Football,” Loggains said. “Thank you to the Board of Trustees, Chancellor Norris, Doug Gillin, and all of App Nation for this incredible opportunity to lead such a storied program. We are eager to become part of the community, engage with the student-athletes and fans, and give our all for App State.”

Loggains’ offense this season has helped the Gamecocks reach the brink of the College Football Playoff with a 9-3 record that includes wins over Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Missouri and Clemson. South Carolina has the third-best rushing offense in the SEC at 188.9 yards per game while ranking top 50 in the country in scoring, yardage, rushing, first downs and completion percentage.

He has developed redshirt freshman LaNorris Sellers into one of college football’s most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks. Sellers has thrown for 2,274 yards with 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions while also rushing for 655 yards and seven scores against one of the country’s toughest schedules. He ranks 20th nationally in passing efficiency, 14th in yards per attempt, 25th in yards per completion, 28th in total offense and 35th in completion percentage. Loggains has also found success utilizing Raheim “Rocket” Sanders, one of the SEC’s best running backs, to form a dynamic rushing attack.

In his first season in Columbia, Loggains turned future NFL quarterback Spencer Rattler and a future NFL first-round draft pick, wide receiver Xavier Legette, into one of the most lethal pass-and-catch combinations in the country.

Loggains spent the 2021 and 2022 seasons as the Arkansas Razorbacks’ tight ends coach, earning a reputation as a top-25 national recruiter there.

During his decade-plus as an NFL coordinator and quarterbacks coach, he mentored the likes of Sam Darnold, Jay Cutler, Mitchell Trubisky, Brian Hoyer and Vince Young at QB, as well as running backs Kenyan Drake, Jordan Howard and Chris Johnson.

Loggains graduated from the University of Arkansas with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology in 2003 and a master’s degree in education in 2005. He walked on to the Razorback football program in 2000 as a quarterback and holder before earning a scholarship and becoming a four-year letterman, appearing in 50 games.

Loggains and his wife, Beth, have four children: daughters Reese, Aven and Connor, and son, Ryne.

LOGGAINS AT A GLANCE

Coaching Experience

  • 2005: Dallas Cowboys (Scouting assistant)
  • 2006-07: Tennessee Titans (Coaching administrative assistant)
  • 2008-09: Tennessee Titans (Quality control)
  • 2010-12: Tennessee Titans (Passing game coordinator/QBs)
  • 2013: Tennessee Titans (Offensive coordinator)
  • 2014: Cleveland Browns (QBs)
  • 2015-17: Chicago Bears (Offensive coordinator/QBs)
  • 2018: Miami Dolphins (Offensive coordinator)
  • 2019-20: New York Jets (Offensive coordinator/QBs)
  • 2021-22: Arkansas (Tight ends)
  • 2023-24: South Carolina (Offensive coordinator/QBs)

Bowls Coached

  • 2021: Outback
  • 2022: Liberty

Playing Experience

  • 2000-04: Arkansas (Quarterback/holder)

Alma Mater: Arkansas, 2003

Hometown: Newport, Ark.
Wife: Beth
Children: Reese, Aven, Connor, Ryne

Vestri wins debut half marathon, Izewski rallies for No. 4 in Orlando

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Vestri wins debut half marathon, Izewski rallies for No. 4 in Orlando

By David Rogers. ORLANDO, Fla. — Running a good part of the women’s OUC Orlando Half Marathon seemingly by herself, Blowing Rock-based ZAP Endurance team member Amanda Vestri toppled the distaff field by running the fourth fastest half marathon by an American woman in 2024, to capture the title in 1:08:12, more than two minutes ahead of her nearest distaff rival, Katie Izzo (Flagstaff, Ariz., 1:10.28). It was Vestri’s first race at the half marathon distance (13.1 miles).

“This was an impressive debut by Amanda,” said ZAP Endurance head coach Pete Rea following the race. “She won the women’s race but was also the seventh fastest overall. Her time was also the 13th fastest all-time by an American woman.”

VIDEO: ScreenRecording_12-07-2024 06-36-08_1

With the win, Vestri picked up the first place winner’s check for $6,000.

Running against other professional runners, too, ZAP Endurance veteran Josh Izewski finished No. 4 out of the 2,600 athletes taking on the nearly 80-degree Orlando heat and humidity.

Kenya-born American Sam Chelanga, of Fayetteville, N.C., captured the men’s title in 1:02:13, followed by James Quattlebaum (Greenville, S.C., 1:02:26) and Reid Buchanon (Kansas City, Mo., 103:51). Izewski’s No. 4 time was 105:15.

“This was also a good rebound race for Izewski,” said Rea, “running his first race since the New York City Marathon.”

The USATF-certified Orlando course winds through scenic downtown Orlando streets before finishing in Lake Eola Park. In addition to the normal water stations (every 1.5 miles), there is live music along the course, local beer and a post-race, lakeside party.

Keller pours in 30 to lead Watauga past Avery County, 89-64

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Keller pours in 30 to lead Watauga past Avery County, 89-64

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Four players in double figures, including 30 by combination junior guard Cade Keller, propelled host Watauga men’s varsity in dispatching High Country rival Avery County, 89-64, on Dec. 6 at Lentz Eggers Gym.

As usual for these annual rivalry games, it was a packed house on both sides of the court providing an electric atmosphere. While the Pioneers started slow, even allowing the Vikings to lead, 23-21, at the end of the first quarter, they turned things up several notches as the game progressed.

Josiah Railey swoops to the basket on Dec. 6 vs. Avery County. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

Four 3-pointers by Keller and a total of 18 first half points from the junior sharpshooter invigorated the Pioneers, who picked up another first half “trey” by Logan Greene in the second quarter, augmented by strong inside play from senior Josiah Railey and junior big man, Jace Blocker, pushing Watauga out to a 40-36 lead by intermission.

In the second half, the Pioneers ratcheted up their defensive efforts and turned on the scoring jets, with Keller, Blocker and Railey continuing their production augmented by an 11-point second half run by junior guard Jackson Love.

Watauga’s senior guard Maddox Greene is well-known for making things happen, including this hustle play on Dec. 6 vs. Avery County, diving to the floor to secure the ball and passing to Jace Blocker trailing in support. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

“In the first half tonight, defensively we were not good,” noted Keller to reporters after the game. “There was a lot of miscommunication and, really, lack of effort… not getting back on defense. We will clean that up and get better at it.

“I thought we battled well,” said Watauga head coach Bryson Payne after the last whistle. “I was happy with the way we finished the game. Our energy was a little low to begin the game, so it took us a little while to get our groove and play like we want to play. In the second half, we came out and started doing some things that we want to do, like running in transition and choosing better shots, including not settling for threes.”

Cade keller scores two of his 30 points on the night vs. Avery County on Dec. 6. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

“When we started getting momentum, we did not let up. Our guys stayed in attack mode and kept that momentum,” Payne added.

For Railey, a senior, the 2024-25 season is the culmination of four years working on things.

“This is a last run. Ever since I got here as a freshman we have been building the program, going from a losing record to a Northwestern Conference winning record last year. We want to build on that this year. I was kept out a lot tonight because of foul trouble, so I had to make every moment count,” said Railey.

Jackson Love scored 11 points in the second half vs. Avery County to help put the game away against the Pioneers’ High Country rival. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

Next up for the Pioneers is a rescheduled home tilt against North Wilkes on Dec. 7, following the two junior varsity games and the women’s varsity contest. Tipoff time is estimated to come at about 6 p.m.

SCORING SUMMARY

  • WAT – Cade Keller – 30
  • AVY – Hank Johnson – 20
  • WAT – Josiah Railey – 17
  • WAT – Jace Blocker – 16
  • AVY – Landon Harmon – 13
  • WAT – Jackson Love – 11
  • AVY – Oak Markland – 8
  • AVY – Cain Hart – 7
  • AVY – Silas Garceau – 6
  • AVY – Weston Woody – 6
  • WAT – Brady Lindenmuth – 4
  • AVY – Landon Liner – 4
  • WAT – Logan Greene – 3
  • WAT – Maddox Greene – 2
  • WAT – Seth Greene – 2
  • WAT – J T Cook – 2

Watauga WBB survives, rallies and runs away from Avery County, 52-32

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Watauga WBB survives, rallies and runs away from Avery County, 52-32

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — With a new combination of players this season after losing four seniors from its state playoffs contending team, the Watauga women’s varsity finally jelled in the second half on Dec. 6 to run away from Avery County, 52-32.

Thanks largely to a pair of 3-pointers from Izzy Torgerson in the second quarter and one each from long distance in the first half by Julie Matheson and Blair Haines, Watauga managed to score 20 first half points while keeping the Vikings subdued, with 18.

Julie Matheson (1) takes a shot from long distance on Dec. 6. Her ‘mini-run’ in the third quarter played a key role in the Watauga win. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

Then Matheson and senior Kate Sears went on mini-runs of their own after intermission to propel the Pioneers to their lopsided win, combined with a pressing defensive effort to disrupt Avery County possessions.

“I congratulated the girls on the win after losing so many starters and putting players in different roles. We got a little uptight in the first half and haven’t shot the ball well. It looked that way in the first half. We missed some pretty easy shots and forced the ball to take some tough shots,” said head coach Bill Torgerson after the game.

Watauga sophomore Blair Haines lets it fly in the first half against Avery County on Dec. 6. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

“But we kept living in the moment and tried to string together some stops,” Torgerson added. “We knew we were going to have to play defense (better), but eventually we put together some good shots and pulled away. I am proud of the way the girls stayed poised in a tough game… Julie’s (Matheson) run in the third quarter really helped put it away.”

One of the surprise additions to the 2024-25 Pioneers is softball player Chloe Wilson, playing competitive basketball for the first time. A 6-0 center, the athletic Wilson showed a lot of promise. As she learns the game, things become more instinctive and develops chemistry with the other athletes, her role should grow.

Kate Sears wrestled her way through the crowd and down the lane to score vs. Avery County, in the first half of Lentz Eggers Gym on Dec. 6. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

“I heard in the spring that a softball player and friend of Julie Matheson’s was going to come out for basketball this year,” Coach Torgerson recalled, smiling. “I had no idea who this girls was. I had never met her. But Chloe is one of the best athletes on the team. She has never played basketball, so we are spending a lot of time together. Basketball, like everything else, has its own special language with all the jargon, then with all the things you do instinctively from years of playing. She has a lot to learn but Chloe is a great athlete. I told her I am open to seeing how much she can learn and how good she can be.”

Torgerson was generous in his observations about High Country rival, Avery County.

“I think this is one of the best Avery County women’s teams in years and I told (head coach Allison Phillips) that I thought it was her best team. Coaching travel ball since my daughter Izzy was in seventh grade, I have coached against these girls for several years and they often beat us. So I am very familiar with how good this Avery County team can be. But then you add Izzy’s teammates to play with the likes of Kate Sears, Julie Matheson and Kaitlyn Darner (and you have a different dynamic).

Next up for the Pioneers is a rescheduled home encounter on Dec. 7 vs. North Wilkes (4-0). Tipoff follows the girls and boys junior varsity games, so should start about 4:30 p.m.

SCORING SUMMARY

  • WAT – Kate Sears – 19
  • WAT – Julie Matheson – 13
  • AVY – Marley Jones – 9
  • AVY – Hallie Johnson – 8
  • WAT – Blair Haines – 7
  • AVY – Caroline Hollifield – 7
  • WAT – Izzy Torgerson – 6
  • WAT – Kaitlyn Darner – 7
  • AVY – Maddy Barnett – 3
  • WAT – Shelby Thompson – 2
  • AVY – Tillie Carver – 2
  • AVY – Adyson Bellinger – 2

Broad Pioneer JVs’ scoring upends Vikings JV, 67-40

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Broad Pioneer JVs’ scoring upends Vikings JV, 67-40

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Led by 10 first half points from Cole Lewis, including two shots from long distance, and another six points before intermission on strong inside play from Colby Whiteside, the Watauga boys junior varsity dismantled visiting Avery County on Dec. 6, 67-40.

Watauga boys JV forward Bryce Scheffler brings the ball down court in the Pioneers’ 67-40 win over Avery County on Jan. 6. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

The Pioneers stepped on the proverbial gas early, leading 18-7 by the end of the first quarter, and kept the good times rolling throughout to defeat the Vikings. All 11 of the Pioneers’ rostered players saw court time and all 11 of them found the bottom of the net at least once.

Lewis poured in a team high 13 points and Whiteside 8. Blake Bance and Miller Hankins both saw significant minutes on the floor and each contributed 7 points.

Avery County’s Blane Kirkpatrick tallied a game-high 17 points in the losing cause.

Caleb Ogden goes up for a basket on Dec. 6 vs. Avery County, contributing to the Pioneers JV posting a 67-40 win. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

Boys JV Scoring

  • AVY – Blane Kirkpatrick – 17
  • WAT – Cole Lewis – 13
  • WAT – Colby Whiteside – 8
  • WAT – Miller Hankins – 7
  • WAT – Blake Bance – 7
  • WAT – Bryce Scheffler – 6
  • WAT – Wit Williamson – 6
  • WAT – Lucas Cash – 6
  • AVY – Hayden Cordell – 6
  • WAT – Mason Tate – 5
  • AVY – Colt Austin – 5
  • WAT – Caleb Ogden – 4
  • WAT – Chase McInturff – 4
  • AVY – JJ Washington – 4
  • AVY – Sawyer Byrd – 3
  • AVY – Owen Walsh – 3
  • AVY – Max Milliron – 2
  • WAT – Asa Privette – 1

Pioneer JV Girls dominate Avery County JVs, 49-10

In a game that was as much as over by the end of the first quarter, Watauga’s junior varsity girls ran roughshod over the Vikings JVs, 49-10.

Presli Wood and Steph Mendez each scored a game-high 13 points, Wood finding the net three times from beyond the 3-point arc and Mendez making good from long distance twice.

Watauga JV Girls Scoring

  • Presli Wood – 13
  • Steph Mendez – 13
  • Charlie Mattox – 8
  • Madison Millsaps – 7
  • Susanna Goff – 4
  • Izzy Mohr – 2
  • Dylan Buckwalter – 2

Christmas spectacular, to be sure: ‘A Carolina Snowbelle Christmas’ not to be missed!

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Christmas spectacular, to be sure: ‘A Carolina Snowbelle Christmas’ not to be missed!

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Getting into the Christmas season will come easily for the High Country this year as The Project Dance Foundation brings “A Carolina Snowbelle Christmas” to the Appalachian Theatre with four shows Dec. 6-8, and one more opportunity to see the dance spectacular on Dec. 14, at the Ashe Civic Center, in West Jefferson.

Anyone who has taken in the previous Christmas performances of the talented Snowbelles will know what fun and sensory delights to expect. Anyone who hasn’t — well, let’s just say they are in for a treat, to be sure.

Preview Video

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1noQ2BG2KfKhxoJsC8nKec-65dF_b_l5z/view?usp=sharing

A precision dance team formed in 2015 under the umbrella of The Project Dance Foundation, the Snowbelles incorporate tap and jazz styles while teaching teamwork, self-esteem, mentorship and community involvement skills. The mission is to equip and encourage dancers age 10 and up in this unique style of dance through training and performance opportunities.

Photo courtesy of The Project Dance Foundation

Founder and executive director Cheryl Cutlip said, “The Carolina Snowbelles are a 100 percent scholarship program. Participation is obtained through an audition process and based solely on merit.”

Graphic courtesy of The Project Dance Foundation

Cutlip went on to explain that the troupe trains for three hours weekly, appears in local parades as well as puts on various community and theatrical performances, including “A Snowbelles Christmas.” The team has performed on the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and in the middle of New York City’s Times Square for “Project Dance,” a day-long free, open-air dance concert involving as many as 30 dance companies from around the U.S.

A Mix of Old and New

“This year’s Christmas show takes the audience on new adventures,” said Cutlip. “It features a cast of 30 new, emerging and established artists gracing the stage in a series of elaborately choreographed works, dancing their way through Arctic glaciers at the North Pole to the city streets of Manhattan in New York City.”

Cutlip shared that the show’s opening number, “Christmas Cheer,” features a young professional singing artist, Asher Saab, from Raleigh, N.C. Then the Snowbelles take a trip down Memory Lane with two signature routines, “Sing” and “Merry and Bright,” then celebrate what she calls the sisterhood of the Snowbelles in “Sisters.”

Photo courtesy of The Project Dance Foundation

Returning to this year’s show is “Nutcracker Twist,” what Cutlip calls “… a contemporary take on the classic music we all love and hold dear.”

There will once again be a flurry of penguins in “Arctic Adventure,” but new this year is “Sparkle-Jingle.”

“That adds a pop of colored twinkle lights and a swing tap dance frenzy,’Jinglebelles’ created by Stephanie Brooks Martin and featuring Asher Saab,” said Cutlip.

Photo courtesy of The Project Dance Foundation

This year’s show also features Los Angeles-based singing artist Sacha Calson, who makes his debut in Boone singing, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” “Winter Wonderland,” and “Carolina in My Mind.” Calson is best known for his role as “Nick” in the Netflix series, “Julie and the Phantoms.” He recently released his first single, “Remnants of a Fallen Star.” The music video features Calson as well as Carolina Snowbelles alum and Blowing Rock native, Ava Jean Cutlip.

The Show Schedule

  • At Appalachian Theatre, 559 West King Street, Boone, N.C.
    • Friday, Dec. 6, 8 p.m.
    • Saturday, Dec. 7, 1:30 p.m.
    • Saturday, Dec. 7, 5:30 p.m.
    • Sunday, Dec. 8, 2:30 p.m
  • At Ashe Civic Center, 962 Mt. Jefferson Road, West Jefferson, N.C.
    • Saturday, Dec. 14, 2 p.m.

Cheryl Cutlip, founder and executive director of The Project Dance Foundation and principal organizer of the Carolina Snowbelles, is a North Carolina native who began her early professional career at Opryland USA and Tokyo’s Disneyland. She is a former member of the New York City-based “Rockettes” and assistant choreographer of The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, dancing with the group from 1993 through 2008.

Mountaineers roundup Mustangs, 85-43

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Mountaineers roundup Mustangs, 85-43

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — App State men’s basketball stampeded past the Mid-Atlantic Christian University Mustangs on Dec. 3, 85-43. The mismatch against the small, Elizabeth City, N.C. private school provided the Mountaineers with ample opportunities to refine some individual and team skills while giving head coach Dustin Kerns an opportunity to see different combinations of players on the floor against an otherwise scrappy opponent.

Fourteen different Mountaineers saw at least six minutes of playing time, with the usual second tier of rotation players seeing the most opportunities on the hardwoods.

 

App State center Luke Wilson skies high against Mid-Atlantic Christian University on Dec. 3. Photographic image by David Rogers for Hgh Country Sports

Alonzo Dodd poured in a game-high 19 in his almost 25 minutes on the court. Center Luke Wilson dominated inside play in recording 17 points to go along with 7 rebounds in just over 18 minutes of playing time. Starter C J Huntley only saw the court for a little more than seven minutes but certainly made the best of it as App State’s third player in double figures, with 14 points.

It was a special opportunity for teammates Huntley, Jackson Threadgill and Will Coble, who played high school basketball together at Davidson Day, as all three started against the Mustangs.

C J Huntley made the most of his limited time on the court vs. Mid-Atlantic Christian University, including this first half dunk. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

Point guard Myles Tate swooped down the lane for the Mountaineers’ first points of the night, just 19 seconds after Huntley won the tipoff. Coble followed with a 3-pointer and Huntley added consecutive “up and ins” with the game not even 90 seconds old, extending the App State lead to 9-0 — and prompting the Mustangs to call a timeout to gather themselves.

Although MACU was the next to score, the Mountaineers kept pouring it on, leading by 25 points by halftime. In a little less than 9 minutes on the court, Tate only scored four points, but was credited with 7 assists as he kept feeding his teammates.

Forward Michael Marcus, Jr. came off the bench to collect 10 rebounds and make two blocks to accompany his three points, two assists and a steal.

App State now has 10 days off to allow the student athletes to prepare and sit for exams before playing against High Point on Dec. 14, in Greensboro, at 2 p.m., in the Novant Health Fieldhouse at the Greensboro Complex.

They have two other road games before Christmas, opening Sun Belt Conference play at Louisiana, in Lafayette, La., on Dec. 18 (8 p.m. ET), then two days later in Denton, Texas, to face North Texas on Dec. 20, 8 p.m. ET). They will be at home on Jan. 2 to face Troy in another Sun Belt Conference encounter.

Clark released as App State head coach

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Clark released as App State head coach

By Joey Jones. BOONE, N.C. — App State Director of Athletics Doug Gillin announced Monday that football head coach Shawn Clark has been released from his contract following his fifth full season at the helm of the Mountaineers’ program.

“I want to thank Shawn for all he has done for the App State football program,” Gillin said. “Shawn is a true Mountaineer. He has given his heart and soul to his alma mater. He has navigated numerous challenges in his tenure and done so with class and integrity. This was a difficult decision, but after an evaluation of the program, we decided to make the change now.

“The expectation for App State Football is to annually compete for a conference championship and a berth in the College Football Playoff. We have commenced a national search to quickly find the next leader for App State Football. Mountaineer fans are among the most passionate in the country, and we are committed to providing a football program that builds upon the decades of previous championship tradition.”

Mountaineers close holiday tourney with 76-61 loss to UNC-Wilmington

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Mountaineers close holiday tourney with 76-61 loss to UNC-Wilmington

By Jacob Plecker. WILMINGTON, N.C. — In the finale of the Live Oak Bank Holiday Classic, the App State Mountaineers (5-3) fell to the tournament host UNC-Wilmington (5-2), 61-76 on Saturday.

Regardless of the result, the Mountaineers finished the tournament 2-1 and defeated two NCAA Division I programs (Sam Houston and Colgate) that won their respective conference regular-season championships a season ago.

Jalil Beaubrun and Alonzo Dodd posted their best games in a Mountaineer uniform against UNCW, tallying 16 and 11 point,s respectively. Beaubrun also recorded the Mountaineers’ third double-double of the year, and his first as a Mountaineer, adding a season-best 11 rebounds. Dodd, who had been held scoreless in each of his last three outings, also tallied a season-best, on 4-of-5 shooting.

On the heels of two physical contests that opened the tournament, the Mountaineers struggled on the offensive glass against UNCW as the Seahawks grabbed 15 offensive rebounds and turned them into 15 second-chance points. Additionally, the Mountaineers couldn’t get anything going from deep, making just two 3-pointers on 17 attempts from behind the arc.

How it Happened

The finale was a tightly contested ball game, the lead changeing hands six times in the first five minutes. The Seahawks opened the scoring with a Donovan Newby 3-pointer, but the Mountaineers took their first lead at 5-4 off a CJ Huntley hook shot with 17:22 in the first half.

UNCW quickly regained the lead thanks to a Khamari McGriff jumper but Huntley answered right back, throwing down a two-handed dunk off a slick alley-oop pass from Myles Tate. A play later, Huntley was at it again, viciously slamming home a dunk over a Seahawk defender to put the Mountaineers ahead 8-7. Huntley accounted for six of the first eight Mountaineer points.

The Seahawks scored a basket just before the first media stoppage in the first half and never trailed again. Nolan Hodge, who tallied a season-best 15 points against App State, kicked off his night with a layup and Harlan Obioha converted on an “and-one” chance to put UNCW ahead by four at the 14:52 mark.

App State kept it close in the first half as Jackson Threadgill scored his first points of the game to keep the Mountaineer deficit at just two. Then, it was Huntley who nailed a hook shot to make it 14-12 in the first half. But the Seahawks scored the game’s next four points to take a six-point lead into the under-12 break.

As play crept under the 10-minute mark before intermission, it was still a close contest as the two teams traded baskets. Dodd got his season-best night started with a three from the right wing to bring the Mountaineers back within two points. The Seahawks answered with a three to go back ahead by five, but Beaubrun stuck with a missed Mountaineer shot and put back a layup to bring the score within three with eight minutes to play in the opening stanza.

A Tate three at the 4:41 mark of the first half brought the Seahawks’ advantage back down to three, but the home team answered by scoring eight of the game’s next 10 points to take an 11-point lead into halftime. Huntley, Tate and Beaubrun accounted for 28 of App State’s 33 points in the first half. UNCW shot it well in the opening stanza, making 53 percent of their shot attempts while also grabbing seven offensive rebounds.

Out of the break, the Seahawks scored six consecutive points to build their lead to 16 with 18 minutes to go. Two straight 3-pointers from Sean Moore rang the net as UNCW extended its lead.

Huntley ended the run with a free throw, but the UNCW advantage shot to 19 points after the under-16 timeout thanks to another 3-pointer. The Mountaineer deficit sank to 20 after a fourth second-half Seahawk three hit the net. App State struggled after halftime, missing five of its first six shots while turning the ball over three times.

After going ahead by 22 with 13:27 to play, UNCW endured a shooting drought which gave the Mountaineers a chance to mount a comeback. The Mountaineers found some momentum and cut into the deficit, scoring eight of the game’s next nine points to trim the UNCW lead back to 13 points with eight minutes left in regulation. The Seahawks ended their drought with a back-breaking 3-pointer from Josh Corbin at the shot-clock buzzer to jump back ahead by 16 at the under-eight minutes timeout.

Unfazed by the last-second shot, App State continued to work and trimmed the UNCW lead down to 12 by the 7:38 mark, which was the closest the game had gotten since halftime. Beaubrun cracked double figures with a layup and Dodd sank a pair of free throws to get it to that point.

Keeping the pressure on, App State forced two fouls to stop the clock, giving the Mountaineers a chance to score at the free-throw line. With the Seahawks now ahead by 13 with five minutes to go, the Mountaineers forced a stop on the defensive end and trimmed their deficit down to just 11 points thanks to a fastbreak dunk by Huntley. But it was another shot by McGriff late in the shot clock that halted any more momentum as the Seahawks went ahead by 15 by the final media stoppage.

The Seahawks continued to score at the free-throw line and eventually closed out the game with a 15-point victory. App State finished 2-1 at the Live Oak Bank Holiday Classic and has won four of its last five games at in-season, mutli-team events.

Top Performers

CJ Huntley paced all scorers in the final game of the Live Oak Bank Holiday Classic, scoring 17 points. He was aggressive to start the game, tallying 11 of those points in the first half, and now needs just 45 points to eclipse 1,000 in his Mountaineer career. Jalil Beaubrun was stellar against the Seahawks, recording his sixth career double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Beaubrun was also a perfect 6-6 from the charity stripe. Alonzo Dodd was the third Mountaineer to reach double figures against UNCW, tallying a season-best 11.

Up Next

App State will return home to begin the month of December as it hosts the Mid-Atlantic Christian Mustangs on Tuesday. Dec. 3. The matchup with the Mustangs will be the Mountaineers’ only home game of December. After that game, the Mountaineers will not play a game at the Holmes Center until Jan. 2, 2025. Tipoff from the Holmes Center is slated for 6:30 p.m. and can be streamed on ESPN+.

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