Bruce McKean
Contributing Writer
PCHS Varsity, 51
Greenbrier West Varsity, 20
Last season, the Greenbrier West varsity roster contained four seniors who accounted for 21 of their 61 points (34%) scored in their two match ups with Pocahontas County High School on December 6 and January 24. Pocahontas graduated one senior, Brianna Hefner, who accounted for 33 of our 119 points (28%) in those two games. The four PCHS junior starters, who are now senior starters, scored 73 points in those games (61%). The Warriors won the two games by 34 and 24 points. Our four returning starters accounted for 33 of our 51 points (65%) on Thursday, so the Lady Warriors are all stepping up their game to fill the 28% graduation gap.
The game at #9 (AP Poll) PCHS December 10 started on a 13-0 PCHS run. Four PCHS seniors scored 16 points in the 16-2 first quarter effort. New senior starter Jerica Reed led the game scoring in the first with five points. West mounted a better effort in the low scoring second quarter, but the Cavaliers’ 5-9 effort sent PCHS into the dressing room with a 25-7 half-time lead. Senior Kira Bircher’s four-point effort was the second frame game-high. Junior Kierstin Taylor came off the bench in the third frame and nailed two treys for the quarter-high four points, and seniors Reed and Kira Bircher each sank their second three of the game for a 17-4 third quarter. Three JV players saw action in the fourth frame, and that quarter ended in a 9-9 tie. West senior Julie Agee led the fourth with seven points including her second and third trey.
Eight girls scored for the gold and maroon and four for West. Kira Bircher was co-game high scorer with 12 points, including two threes, eight rebounds, four steals, five assists and three blocks – all team highs.
Julie Agee matched that effort with 12 points including a game-high three treys. Next in scoring was senior Laila Calhoun with eight points, six rebounds and three steals. Reed made eight points and contributed five rebounds and two treys. Senior Alexa Taylor scored seven points, one three and five assists (most). Senior Charity Warder scored six points, five rebounds, four assists and two blocks (most). Kierstin Taylor also made two threes for six points. Junior Sienna Bircher finished with three points and four rebounds. Sophomore Macaden Taylor scored her first varsity point when she saw action in the fourth quarter.
The Warriors, (2-1), nailed seven threes in the game to three for West (1-1). PCHS made eight of 13 free throws (62%) versus five of 15 for West (33%). Pocahontas made only 18 of their 62 field goals attempts (29%). Both teams rebounded well: PCHS – 36 and West – 33. West committed 25 turnovers to 18 for PCHS.
The games that had been scheduled at Tygarts Valley for December 13 had to be postponed until December 23 (JV – 1 p.m., V – 2:15 p.m.).
PCHS will host two home games on Wednesday and Thursday, December 18 and 19 versus Richwood (JV – 5:45 p.m., V – 7 p.m.) and then Allegheny Virginia (JV – 5:45 p.m., V – 7 p.m.). NOTE: Richwood does not field a JV team, so the JV game will be a PCHS inter-squad scrimmage.
#9 PCHS will travel to #4 (AP and Coaches Polls) Summers County on Saturday, December 21, (JV – 5:30 p.m., V – 7:30 p.m.).
PCHS JV, 37
Greenbrier West JV, 23
The PCHS JV squad easily took the first three quarters, 8-1, 5-2, and 13-4, and West closed with a 16-11 fourth quarter. The Lady Warriors grabbed 16 steals and out-rebounded West 24-11. PCHS made six of 14 foul shots (43%), and West connected on seven of 18 (39%). The home team was called for 18 fouls, double West’s nine whistles.
Nine Warriors scored in the game versus six Cavaliers. Game high scorer and the only player in double digits was sophomore Allyson Alderman with 10 points, two treys (game most), five rebounds and four steals (most) in three quarters of play. Sophomore Macaden Taylor tallied seven points, four steals (most) and four blocks (most). Junior Tessa Kiner compiled five points, six rebounds (most) and four steals. Freshman Makenzie Moyers contributed five points. Freshman Haley Spencer pulled down four rebounds. PCHS improves to 2-1.
