Girls Basketball
Marion wrecks Richlands
Macy Osborne sank eight 3-pointers in scoring 30 points as the Marion Scarlet Hurricanes hammered Richlands 67-24 in the first round of the Southwest District tournament.
Aubrey Yarber added 12 points for the ‘Canes, who play at Virginia High in Thursday’s tourney semifinals in Bristol.
Marion sprinted out to an 18-5 lead and bounced back from a loss to Lebanon the night before.
“We played much better tonight than we have been,” said Marion coach Matthew Neese. “Needed a good night to try to get back on track. Richlands hit us with a tringle-and-two [defense] early. I am assuming they saw Lebanon’s success with it, but we handled it much better tonight. At this point in the year, you need to be playing your best basketball and we are hoping to win and advance.”
Jade Mitchell scored seven points for Richlands.
RICHLANDS (24) – Buchanan 3, Mitchell 7, Compton 0, B. Moore 3, Barnett 3, Breeding 5, Hale 3.
MARION (67) – Pike 3, Haulsey 2, Osborne 30, Mullis 9, Amos 8, Hall 3, Yarber 12, Phipps 0, Reynolds 0.
Richlands 5 6 6 7—24
Marion 18 13 23 13—67
3-point goals – Richlands 2 (Breeding, Hale), Marion 10 (Osborne 8, Pike, Hall).
G-Girls whip Bulldogs
The Graham G-Girls trounced Tazewell in the first round of the Southwest District tournament, 59-23.
Bearcats best Graham
Kaiden Harris is a unique basketball talent.
The 6-foot sophomore can shoot from the perimeter, dominate in the paint and bring the ball up the court.
Those qualities were on display in Monday’s Southwest District playoff game against Graham.
Harris delivered 14 points, six rebounds, four steals and three assists as the Bearcats earned a 38-24 win.
“This was one of our best games,” Harris said. “We worked as a team, made smart passes and played really good defense .”
Defense is the favorite subject for VHS head coach Kevin Timmons.
Following last Friday’s 40-35 loss at Lebanon, Timmons focused on one topic during a Saturday morning practice.
“I challenged the girls to be tougher on defense because we’re a different team when we defend,” Timmons said. “The girls shut me up tonight by deciding to play with some attitude and toughness.”
Monday’s game became necessary after VHS (11-9), Graham (8-10), Marion (16-7) and Lebanon (15-8) all recorded 7-3 regular season district records.
The Bearcats will face Lebanon for the Region 2D top seed in Region 2D on Tuesday at 7:30 at Marion. Lebanon defeated Marion, 36-31, in Monday’s other playoff at VHS.
Virginia High swept Graham in the regular season as Harris averaged 21 points and 11 rebounds.
But for the first half on Monday, the outlook appeared grim for the Bearcats.
Graham led 8-1 after the first quarter and Harris collected her second foul at the 4:53 mark of the second quarter.
With his squad trailing 12-9 at the halftime break, Timmons offered an upbeat message.
“We were defending at a really high level, and I knew the ball would go through the net eventually,” Timmons said.
Behind the work of Harris and 6-foot sophomore Maddie Davis, VHS finally found some offense.
With a pretty spin move and bank shot, Harris gave the Bearcats a 13-12 lead with 5:20 remaining in the third quarter.
As Graham employed multiple defenders on Harris, Davis responded with a 17-point and five-rebound effort.
“I’m used to facing double and triple teams,” Harris said. “I just stay patient, look for open and get my teammates involved.
Harris has seen time at the small forward, power forward and post position. She averaged double figure in points and rebounds, reaching double figures in points in every game except two.
“I like playing in the post, but I’m working on my jumper,” Harris said.
The Bearcats expanded their margin to 21-16 at the 4:03 mark of the third when Harris found Davis for back-to-back baskets under the basket.
VHS held on from there.
“We really needed this win. I’m proud of all teammates,” Harris said.
Timmons has been proud of the overall development of Harris.
“Kaiden is our anchor and she improves every day,” Timmons said. “In addition to her blocked shots, steals, rebounds, and assists, she is shooting almost 70 percent from the floor.”
Harris was forced to the bench with her fourth foul midway through the third quarter. That’s when Davis and the defensive minded guard cast of sophomore Sarah Page, junior Gracie Belcher and senior Chloe Jarvis took on key roles for VHS.
“Maddie has been derailed this season by injuries to her ankle, knee and collarbone. It’s been something every other day, but she came through for us tonight,” Timmons said.
Senior guard Krisalyn Dowell paced Graham with nine points. Junior post Kadance Bowman, who was held to six points, was tagged with her fifth foul on a technical with 5:35 left in the game while on the bench.
Bluefield University recruit Sophie Scarberry fouled out moments later, and the Graham bench was hit with another technical.
“It was our most frustrating game of the season,” Graham coach Devontae Royal said. “We weren’t hitting our shots and we had Kadance on the bench instead of on the floor.”
“Both of those technicals hurt, but we have to get over this and get back to work. That’s all we can do.”
According to Timmons, his mantra for Tuesday’s rematch with Lebanon will be familiar. VHS lost both of its regular season meetings with Lebanon.
“This was our best defensive effort of the year and we have to keep it going,” Timmons said. “We wanted another chance at Lebanon after the way we played against them last week, and now we have the chance.”
GRAHAM (24) - Spurgeon 3, Scarberry 4, Cline 2, Kaklis 0, Potter 0, Houchins 0, Dowell 9, West 0, Bowman 6.
VIRGINIA HIGH (38) – Arnold 2, Belcher 0, Bishop 0, Page 3, Burks 0, Jarvis 2, Davis 17, Harris 14.
Graham 8 4 9 3-24
Virginia High 1 8 16 13-38
3-point goals – Graham 3 (Dowell 2, Spurgeon), VHS 1 (Harris). Total fouls – Graham 23, VHS 22. Fouled out – Bowman, Scarberry, Harris. Technical fouls – Graham bench 2, VHS
G-Girls get by Pioneers
Sophie Scarberry scored 12 points as the Graham G-Girls bested Lebanon 39-25 in the semifinals of the Southwest District tournament in Bristol.
Kadance Bowman added 10 points for Graham, which led 28-10 after three quarters.
Ali Beck (19 points) and Jaidyn Fields (nine points) scored all of Lebanon’s points. It was the second straight game the Pioneers struggled offensively as they suffered a 48-27 loss to Virginia High on Tuesday.
“Even when were down on the scoreboard, the girls gave full effort throughout the game to the end,” said Lebanon coach Travis Hooker.
GRAHAM (39) – So. Scarberry 12, Kaklis 0, Houchins 0, Dowell 9, Bowman 10, Spurgeon 6, Cline 0, Potter 2.
LEBANON (25) – A. Beck 16, J. Fields 9, Couch 0, Brooks 0, K. Fields 0, Lampkin 0.
Graham 7 11 10 11—39
Lebanon 2 4 4 15—25
TRACK & FIELD
VHSL Region 2D Indoor Championships
Friday
At Roanoke College (Salem)
BOYS
Team Scores
Virginia High 155.5, Lee High 106, Ridgeview 78.5, Union 51, Tazewell 40, Marion 35, Gate City 24, Wise County Central 16, John Battle 13, Lebanon 5.
Individual Winners
1,000 – Elijah Stafford (Lee), 2:44.99; 1,600 – Drake Young (Tazewell), 4:44.28; 300 – Gamble Stevens (Virginia High), 37.59; 3,200 – Ty Arney (Wise Central), 11:09.75; 500 – Gamble Stevens (Virginia High), 1:09.88; 55 – Jaalan Deel (Ridgeview), 6.68; 55 Hurdles – Julian Hill (Ridgeview), 8.17; High Jump – Romain Mignott (Virginia High), 6-0; Long Jump – Konner Early (Lee), 22-1; Shot Put – Jacob Mooney (Marion), 54-2 ¾; Triple Jump – Landon Yates (Ridgeview), 42-0; 4x200 Relay – Virginia High (Isaiah Jones, Kayden Laws, Ryder Estes, Jacob Roe), 1:35.93; 4x400 Relay – Lee High (Elijah Stafford, John Carter, Collyn Chasteen, Logan Lester), 3:45.55; 4x800 Relay – Virginia High (Zion James, Liam Pratt, Andrew Battel, Gamble Stevens), 8:57.16.
GIRLS
Team Scores
Lee High 216.5, Ridgeview 64.5, Virginia High 55, Tazewell 54, Union 47, John Battle 30, Marion 22, Wise County Central 17, Lebanon 11, Gate City 1.
Individual Winners
1,000 – Allie Jones (Lee), 3:29.41; 1,600 – Kandice Edens (Lee), 6:23.62; 300 – Baylee Butina (Lee), 45.63; 3,200 – Noelle Wells (Union), 14:37.17; 500 – Leah Cowden (Lee), 1:29.72; 55 – Baylee Butina (Lee), 7.60; High Jump – Savana Parsons (Lee), 4-10; Long Jump – Baylee Butina (Lee), 16-7 ¼; Shot Put – Addie Carter (Lee), 31-3 ¼; Triple Jump – Savana Parsons (Lee), 35-0 ¼; 4x200 Relay – Lee High (Makayla Edens, Julia Britton, Leah Cowden, Savan Parsons), 1:55.55; 4x400 Relay – Lee High (Allie Jones, Julia Britton, Leah Cowden, Savana Parsons), 4:36.22; 4x800 Relay – Lee High (Kandice Edens, Alyssa Laws, Casey Mooneyhan, Allie Jones), 11:15.84;
