Ashe County Girl's Team Off to Fast Start

By Joel Frady

The varsity girl's basketball team at Ashe County High School has quickly won three road contests to start

their season, but Friday's match against the Avery County Vikings was no gimme. After consecutive wins against High Point Central (52-37 on Nov. 29) and Watauga (68-51 on Dec. 2), the Huskies visited the Vikings in Newland and built a 36-23 halftime lead.

But the Vikings came out firing in the third quarter, trading baskets with the Huskies before scoring the final eight points of the quarter to cut the Husky lead to 44-40 going into the final frame.

"We were just trying to hang on for dear life," said Girl's Head Coach Laura Foster of the Viking's late runs. "We knew Avery was going to make a run because they're such a solid team and they're so well-coached. In the third quarter they out-hustled us and outworked us, so we had to redeem ourself in the fourth quarter."

The Huskies were able to build on their lead early, due to six quick points scored by sophomore Mallary Clay, to stretch the lead back to eight. But the Vikings proved resilient, scoring four quick points of their own to cut the lead to 50-46 with 4:22 remaining.

Avery was also in foul trouble, a fact that Foster and the Huskies took advantage of.

"We were in the bonus on the free throws, so we were more aggressive offensively to get ourselves to the line," she said. "Once we did that we were able to knock down some free throws, we had a better cushion."

Two of those free throws were made by senior Shelly Barker at the 3:11 mark, giving the Huskies a 53-46 lead. Avery would never get closer than six for the rest of the game, and Ashe County scored nine points in the final 70 seconds to close out the 65-50 victory.

"I liked our effort," Foster said of the game. "I didn't feel like we played inspired much in the third quarter, but overall I was pleased with our effort. It's still early. Anytime you can beat a team like Avery on their home court, I'm excited."

She noted that the team "still has a lot of things to work on," but said that's normal for a team this early in the season.

"We never get satisfied," she said. "Our team sets goals for ourselves. We're playing for the next game, but we also have goals. We'll prepare for Alleghany on Monday and just keep trying to emphasize our defensive principles and work on our offense."

The varsity girl's squad played their home opener on Tuesday, Dec. 9, against Alleghany. Their next match will also be played at home on Friday, Dec. 12, against Watauga..

For more information about upcoming games, contact Ashe County High School at (336) 846-2400. Admission to games is $5. Anyone unable to attend the varsity games can tune in to the action on WKSK 580 AM.