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.
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.
“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.
“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
