Junior varsity hoops roundup
Jamie Shell / (sports@averyjournal.com)
Avery's junior varsity suffered one defeat out of five contests last week.
Avery's JV girls edged Owen by the final score of 36-35 on Tuesday, Jan. 17, but dropped a 35-26 contest at home to West Wilkes on Thursday, Jan. 19.
Avery opened an early three-point lead on the Warlassies, but Owen roared back to lead after both the second and third quarters. The Big Red rallied in the final seven minutes, however, holding the Warlassies to two field goals as part of an 11-4 Avery run that was enough to pull out the win.
Juanita Guzman paced AHS with 12 points and seven rebounds, with eight points and nine rebounds by Kylie Polsgrove and seven points by Abby Thompson.
"Owen probably blocked at least eight shots tonight and they played a tough game. We had a turnover late to give them the ball when we were ahead by a point, and I was a bit scared," said head coach Pat Daniels. "We need to be a bit smarter with the basketball and know the situation we're in. Kylie played awesome and Abby played well, especially with her pressure in the fourth quarter. Pretty much everyone on the floor did their part to help get the win."
Two evenings later, Avery hosted West Wilkes in a non-conference contest. AHS was playing without starting point guard Bethany Burleson, and without a true floor general the offense seemed out of sync.
West held Avery to only two first-quarter points in leading by three points after one period. Both defenses were tough as West led by a low score of 10-9 at halftime.
Avery was outscored 15-7 in the third period as the Lady Blackhawks built a 25-15 advantage through three quarters. Unlike the Owen contest, the Lady Vikings could not complete a comeback, as shots were not falling and a determined Lady Blackhawks squad successfully pulled off the nine-point upset victory.
Polsgrove scored nine points, with 10 rebounds and six steals to lead the Lady Vikings. Avery was only 4-of-15 from the free throw line in the loss.
"We didn't have Bethany due to injury, and our only other point guard was sick, so we didn't have a true point guard tonight. No matter who was out there, we didn't have our heads looking up the court. It was probably one of the worst games I've had a team play in the time I've been here," Daniels added. "We had no rhythm, and with no point guard, it took us completely out of our game."
The Avery junior varsity boys team was victorious in all three of its contests, beginning with a 70-67 win in overtime on Tuesday, Jan. 17, against Owen. Two nights later, Avery upended non-conference foe West Wilkes 56-33. The Big Red concluded its week with a 55-36 victory on Friday, Jan. 20, in Forest City against Thomas Jefferson Academy.
Payton Lowery paced Avery with 15 points in the Owen contest, with 12 points each from Kobe Pittman and Tre Jackson. The Vikings overcame an eight-point deficit at the end of three quarters to eventually force overtime. Avery was dominant in the extra session, finishing 8-for-10 from the charity stripe in overtime to seal the win.
"I was disappointed that we let them back into the game. We didn't finish well," head coach Reggie Oakes said. "We were beaten on several offensive putbacks that helped fuel their rally. We limited their second chances in overtime, even after they took a lead. We made some baskets inside and had some huge rebounds late. We knocked down free throws and improved our fundamental boxing out on shots. Owen played hard and they were ready to go."
Avery built an early three-point margin over West Wilkes that was extended to double-figures at 25-15 by halftime. The Big Red continued its charge in the third period with a 19-8 run to open a 44-23 lead after three periods as the club cruised to the 23-point win.
Lowery led Avery with 10 points, five rebounds and three steals. Pittman and Jackson scored nine points apiece.
"I saw a team effort defensively tonight. We had our best team effort half-court that I've seen all season. With the exception of one third-quarter effort this year, we've been mentally focused and played some of our best basketball. I still believe if we're able to put four quarters together doing all the little things and executing with effort, I don't see a team in the conference defeating us. Zack Guy played a great game, Dylan Bauer set the pace and so many other guys stepped up, especially in the stretch where we were able to pull away."
Avery took advantage of a young and thin Thomas Jefferson roster that boasted only six players.
The Vikings led 10-7 after one period, but opened up a 28-20 advantage at halftime. Lowery and Pittman combined for 10 points in the third period to push Avery's lead to 44-30 following three stanzas. As the final period unfolded, Avery strengthened, holding the Gryphons to six points defensively en route to its third win of the week.
Pittman and Lowery scored 14 points each, with nine points from James Stewart and five from Jackson.
"We got off to slow start, but we mainly wore them down. We were a little sloppy at times, but for the most part we moved the ball well," Oakes added. "Defensively we got after it. We trapped well and did a good job anticipating the pass when we were trapped. Many of our points came from transition from defense to offense. We beat them up the floor in the second half, and it was a good team effort."
Avery traveled to Hendersonville early in the week, and hosts Polk County this Friday, Jan. 27.
Avery's JV girls edged Owen by the final score of 36-35 on Tuesday, Jan. 17, but dropped a 35-26 contest at home to West Wilkes on Thursday, Jan. 19.
Avery opened an early three-point lead on the Warlassies, but Owen roared back to lead after both the second and third quarters. The Big Red rallied in the final seven minutes, however, holding the Warlassies to two field goals as part of an 11-4 Avery run that was enough to pull out the win.
Juanita Guzman paced AHS with 12 points and seven rebounds, with eight points and nine rebounds by Kylie Polsgrove and seven points by Abby Thompson.
"Owen probably blocked at least eight shots tonight and they played a tough game. We had a turnover late to give them the ball when we were ahead by a point, and I was a bit scared," said head coach Pat Daniels. "We need to be a bit smarter with the basketball and know the situation we're in. Kylie played awesome and Abby played well, especially with her pressure in the fourth quarter. Pretty much everyone on the floor did their part to help get the win."
Two evenings later, Avery hosted West Wilkes in a non-conference contest. AHS was playing without starting point guard Bethany Burleson, and without a true floor general the offense seemed out of sync.
West held Avery to only two first-quarter points in leading by three points after one period. Both defenses were tough as West led by a low score of 10-9 at halftime.
Avery was outscored 15-7 in the third period as the Lady Blackhawks built a 25-15 advantage through three quarters. Unlike the Owen contest, the Lady Vikings could not complete a comeback, as shots were not falling and a determined Lady Blackhawks squad successfully pulled off the nine-point upset victory.
Polsgrove scored nine points, with 10 rebounds and six steals to lead the Lady Vikings. Avery was only 4-of-15 from the free throw line in the loss.
"We didn't have Bethany due to injury, and our only other point guard was sick, so we didn't have a true point guard tonight. No matter who was out there, we didn't have our heads looking up the court. It was probably one of the worst games I've had a team play in the time I've been here," Daniels added. "We had no rhythm, and with no point guard, it took us completely out of our game."
The Avery junior varsity boys team was victorious in all three of its contests, beginning with a 70-67 win in overtime on Tuesday, Jan. 17, against Owen. Two nights later, Avery upended non-conference foe West Wilkes 56-33. The Big Red concluded its week with a 55-36 victory on Friday, Jan. 20, in Forest City against Thomas Jefferson Academy.
Payton Lowery paced Avery with 15 points in the Owen contest, with 12 points each from Kobe Pittman and Tre Jackson. The Vikings overcame an eight-point deficit at the end of three quarters to eventually force overtime. Avery was dominant in the extra session, finishing 8-for-10 from the charity stripe in overtime to seal the win.
"I was disappointed that we let them back into the game. We didn't finish well," head coach Reggie Oakes said. "We were beaten on several offensive putbacks that helped fuel their rally. We limited their second chances in overtime, even after they took a lead. We made some baskets inside and had some huge rebounds late. We knocked down free throws and improved our fundamental boxing out on shots. Owen played hard and they were ready to go."
Avery built an early three-point margin over West Wilkes that was extended to double-figures at 25-15 by halftime. The Big Red continued its charge in the third period with a 19-8 run to open a 44-23 lead after three periods as the club cruised to the 23-point win.
Lowery led Avery with 10 points, five rebounds and three steals. Pittman and Jackson scored nine points apiece.
"I saw a team effort defensively tonight. We had our best team effort half-court that I've seen all season. With the exception of one third-quarter effort this year, we've been mentally focused and played some of our best basketball. I still believe if we're able to put four quarters together doing all the little things and executing with effort, I don't see a team in the conference defeating us. Zack Guy played a great game, Dylan Bauer set the pace and so many other guys stepped up, especially in the stretch where we were able to pull away."
Avery took advantage of a young and thin Thomas Jefferson roster that boasted only six players.
The Vikings led 10-7 after one period, but opened up a 28-20 advantage at halftime. Lowery and Pittman combined for 10 points in the third period to push Avery's lead to 44-30 following three stanzas. As the final period unfolded, Avery strengthened, holding the Gryphons to six points defensively en route to its third win of the week.
Pittman and Lowery scored 14 points each, with nine points from James Stewart and five from Jackson.
"We got off to slow start, but we mainly wore them down. We were a little sloppy at times, but for the most part we moved the ball well," Oakes added. "Defensively we got after it. We trapped well and did a good job anticipating the pass when we were trapped. Many of our points came from transition from defense to offense. We beat them up the floor in the second half, and it was a good team effort."
Avery traveled to Hendersonville early in the week, and hosts Polk County this Friday, Jan. 27.
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