Girls start dribblin'

Girls basketball is underway and a few early season assessments are in order. What would a sports blog be without early unfounded and probably unnecessary hype? Well it would be a lame sports blog, if one at all.

Lets roll.

NORTHWOOD (2-1)
The Lady Panthers have high hopes for this season and rightly so. Kendra Nutter and several Buchanans, among others, propelled the Panthers deep into the Division 1 State Tournament last year and many of those players (Minus one Buchanan (Kasey) and Kimmy Boardwine) return this year. So far the Panthers have probably not met the expectations of many, but their early season schedule hasn't been the most forgiving. They kicked off the season with a low-scoring win at Lebanon over Allie Smith and Company. Smith's reputation might place her among one of the top players in the Clinch Mountain District. A day later the Panthers hosted last year's Mountain Empire season runner-up and tournament champion, Fort Chiswell. The Pioneers looked impressive and stumped the Panthers 81-54. On December 5th, Kendra Nutter and the gang edged out John Battle, 44-40 at home to move to 2-1. Coming up, Northwood travels to Marion to take on their Smyth County foe and then visit Chilhowie for a couple nights of Greever Crouse Madness. The Panthers are gearing up toward their meeting with Bland County on the 20th. The Panthers and the Bears could possibly meet again deep in the Region C, Division 1 tournament if all things go accordingly.

HOLSTON (0-6)
The Lady Cavs felt that this season would be a strong step in the right direction after losing only one senior (Megan Wilson) from last season's winless team. Unfortunately, Megan Wilson was a major part of Holston's game plan and her absence this year has been a direct result of the offensive struggles the Cavs have endured. Several Juniors from last season's team did not return to this season's squad except for lone senior, Autumn Lyon. The Cavs have endured losses to Galax, Marion, John Battle, and Saint Paul. The games won't get any easier from here on out, but the Cavs, led by Head Coach James Sullivan, never give up. Take last year's softball team for example. The Cavs were 0-13 at one point and as the season went along they only got better and better. Eventually the loses got closer until finally they won a game. Then Two. Then Three. Then a district tournament victory by upsetting Chilhowie, 5-4. Obviously basketball and softball are different sports, but the heart and determination remain a constant. Never give up and good things will happen.

PATRICK HENRY (2-2)
The Rebels had the honors of opening their season against defending Division 2, Region D champion Virginia High. Unfortunately for the Rebels, the Lady Bearcats were everything they were cracked up to be and left Glade Spring with a 63-43 victory over PH. The Rebs were a part of this years annual tournament hosted at Twin Valley High School. The Rebs opened up that tournament against a possible Division 1, Region D contender, Council, in which they lost 58-43 but took on Hurley in the next round and won convincingly 45-28 to finish third in the tournament. With a little confidence and one win under their belt, the Rebs went to Lebanon, their former Hogoheegee nemesis, and walked away with a 43-36 win. Now with consecutive wins, PH takes on a pair of AA, Southwest District teams, Tazewell and Marion. This should be a good warmup for district play, even though the Rebs have a lay period from December 19 until January 6 when they take on Chilhowie in "The Hot Box".

CHILHOWIE (3-2)
So the Warriors aren't the team they were last year, but they still bring a lot to the table. Krystal Patton and Heather Hash are two returning starters from last year's Final Four team and thus far this season have showed some potential. Neither Marion or Grayson county were matches for the Warriors defense, as Chilhowie held both teams under 30. However, a rematch from last year's state quarterfinals against Virginia High shed light on a different story, as the Bearcats stopped the Warriors 62-46. The Warriors returned to the Highlands Union Bank Tip-Off Classic at Virginia High again this year, and have already endured two close bouts. Some last minute poise by the Warriors aided them to a low-scoring one point win over Lebanon, 29-28. Their luck would change the next night as they suffered a close defeat at the hands of Sullivan Central, TN, a team the Warriors lost to last year by the same margin in the opening round of the tournament. Chilhowie is a team with a lot of promise and potential, but the inconsistency is a direct result of the new faces and lack of varsity experience presented by several of the starters and all of the bench. Chilhowie takes on the Bearcats again Saturday in a consolation round of the tournament and then hosts the Greever Crouse Tournament.

RURAL RETREAT (1-2)
If you've ever heard of the term Dark Horse, the Rural Retreat Indians are the ideal definition. They had a second place finish in the district two years ago, and last year, although with much fewer wins, still caused many close calls between themselves and the districts stiffer competition. This season the Indians return long-time starter, Charlotte Reasor, who had 26 points in the Indians lone win this season over Grayson County, 50-34, as well as 17 in their home-loss to Bland County (63-37). If your'e doing the math, Reasor is scoring almost half of RR's points every game. That is quite a contribution. Although the Indians were no match for Bland County either time this season, the Bears may be a favorite to win the Region C, Division 1 championship, so perhaps they were not a good measuring stick for the Indian's capability this season. Coming up is yet another strong Mountain Empire team, Fort Chiswell, then onto the Greever Crouse tournament at Chilhowie. Charlotte Reasor and her tribe of Indians can and will upset teams this year.

GEORGE WYTHE (2-3)
So far the Maroons have had the unfortunate privelege of playing some of the best teams in the area. The Maroons were blasted in their opening game against Radford, who looks to be a promising favorite in Division 2, Region C this year. The Maroons then dropped a close one to Auburn (53-50) and then a nail-biter to Pulaski County, 59-58. Strong schedules always pay-off in the end and the George Wythe athletic department knows this. Ashley Buckhannon and Lacey Price have propelled the Maroons in their two wins over Fort Chiswell and Galax. Buckhannon, a lock for a district player of the year nomination, has wrecked Hogoheegee defenses for years now and is no concealed weapon. She can lay points on in big, robust numbers, so far with 23, 23, 33, 21. Coming up, the Maroons have rematches with the three teams who beat them consecutively (Radford, Auburn, and Pulaski). It will be a tough stint for the Maroons but games against good teams will payoff once the district schedule starts on January 5th at Rural Retreat.