By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Neither Josie Mayo or Mia Mitchell are going to make Watauga women’s basketball fans forget 2-time state MVP Kate Sears any time soon, perhaps, but the talented freshmen duo should prove a good foundation for head coach Bill Torgerson to build around. They demonstrated just that on Nov. 22 in a non-conference rivalry game vs. Avery County, winning 53-46.
Of the 11 players on the Pioneers varsity for the 2025-26 campaign, only seniors Izzy Torgerson and Shelby Thompson return having played meaningful minutes a year ago. With those two seniors, five juniors, a sophomore and three freshmen comprising the Watauga roster, Torgerson is in the early weeks of a rebuilding year while teaching his young charges what he wants to happen in various situations, as well as the nomenclature.
Mayo and Mitchell, with 15 and 12 points, respectively, joined junior Izzy Mohr (10 points) in double figures, scoring-wise. The two seniors, Torgerson and Thompson added 7 and 5 points, respectively, while sophomore Charlie Mattox contributed 4 more points to account for the Pioneers’ scoring effort.
Defensively, Watauga kept the Vikings subdued for much of the match, their pressing defense forcing multiple turnovers, but starting guard/small forward Marley Jones got loose to record a game-high 20 points on the afternoon, while shooting guard Caroline Hollifield added a respectable 11 points.
Watauga jumped out to a 6-2 lead, but Avery County used their own pesky defense to force Pioneer turnovers and, led by Jones and Hollifield, made 8-0 and 10-0 runs that narrowed any large deficits.
This may prove to be the best “length” for a Watauga team in recent memory. There are no 6-footers — although the freshmen still have an opportunity to grow — but the roster includes five players between 5-8 and 5-11: Susanna Goff (5-11), Mitchell (5-9), Mayo (5-8), Torgerson (5-8), and Mohr (5-8).
With the win, Watauga evened their early season record to 1-1, while the junior- and senior-laden Avery County squad suffered their first loss (4-1). The Pioneers return to action on Nov. 25, 6:30 p.m., hosting Mountain Heritage in Lentz Eggers Gym. It will be the Burnsville-based team’s first competition of the year.
BONUS PHOTOS (All photographic images by David Rogers for High Country Sports)
