By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Leading from start to finish, Watauga women’s basketball piled on as the game went on, Jan. 17, leaving Lentz Eggers Gym with a 59-44 win over Hibriten.
Point guard Kate Sears delivered a whopping 31 points on the night, but her scoring was often facilitated by a strong Pioneer supporting cast. Guard Julie Matheson was also in double figures, scoring, with 10 points, while outside sharpshooters Blair Haines and Izzy Torgerson delivered 7 points and 6 points, respectively.

This year’s surprise newcomer to the game of basketball, center Chloe Wilson, has quietly earned increased playing time and is proving to be a force inside the paint for Watauga. At 6-0, her inside threat draws multiple defenders and has taken some pressure off of Sears operating from the outside.
In her frequent trips driving to the basket, Sears drew contact from the Panthers and capitalized with 12-of-12 shooting from the charity stripe.
Next up for Watauga is a rare Saturday contest, Jan. 18, against R J Reynolds at West Forsyth, in Winston-Salem, with tipoff scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
SCORING
- WAT – Kate Sears (31 points)
- HIB – Zoe Rector (14)
- HIB – Aamori Patterson (12)
- WAT – Julie Matheson (10)
- HIB – Karlee Starnes (8)
- WAT – Blair Haines (7)
- WAT – Izzy Torgerson (6)
- HIB – McKenzie Collins (5)
- WAT – Shelby Thompson (3)
- WAT – Kaitlyn Darner (2)