Bruce McKean
Contributing Writer
Pocahontas County V, 52
Pendleton County V, 49
By the time you read this article the Class A Region II Section 2 #2 seed Pocahontas County Lady Warriors (12-11) will have played the Section 1 #2 seed East Hardy Cougars (8-15) in one of the two Class A Region II co-finals on Tuesday, February 27. The #1 seed in Section 1, Tucker County, will have played the #1 seed in Section 2, Pendleton County, who lost in the Section 2 Final to Pocahontas County also on February 27. The two Region II winners will each play in one of the four Class A first round games in Charleston Wednesday, March 6.
Who plays in the four games depends upon the seeding which is voted on by the coaches of all the 16 Class A teams making it to the regional games on February 27. Tucker County earlier beat East Hardy in the Section 1 Final 50-19 (3 teams in Section 1). No. 2 seed Pocahontas first beat No. 3 seed Tygarts Valley 66-44 in a Section 2 game at home (third win over TVHS this season) and then upset the Pendleton County Wildcats in the Section 2 final (5 teams in Section 2) 52-49.
Sophomore Calli Propst scored a record-setting 31 points in the Tygarts Valley game.
During the regular season PCHS lost to Pendleton twice, by 34-43 at Franklin and by 36-47 at Dunmore. A big, enthusiastic crowd made the trip to Franklin and cheered for the Warriors the entire time. Wildcat junior Jenna Smith nailed a three to start the game 3-0 for the home team. Then Warrior junior Riley Pollack, who scored 7 points in the game, and junior Mackenzie Taylor each hit a two to take the first Warriors lead 4-3. Pendleton would not lead again, but there would be some ties. The first quarter saw an 11-5 Warrior lead that would be the biggest lead of the game, and the first quarter would end in a 13-13 tie. The Warriors made only 1 of 9 free throws while the Wildcats made 2 of 4.
The second quarter saw the Warriors make 3 of 8 free throws while the Wildcats hit 2 of 3. The quarter ended 10-8 in favor of the Warriors, so at the half the Warriors were up 23 to 21. The Wildcats committed 13 fouls in the first half vs 10 for the Warriors who were not making their foul shots!
The Warriors took the third quarter 19-18 and led 42-39 after three quarters. Senior all-stater Olivia Vandevender nailed two of her eventual 3 threes and a two in the third while Smith hit 2 of her eventual 4 threes in the third. The Wildcats made 6 of 10 free throws, and the Warriors nailed 7 of 12 in the quarter, so both improved, The game was tied 39-39 late in the third.
The crowd got nervous about the close game as the clock ticked away. PCHS had its biggest lead of the game, 50-42, mid-third quarter. Luckily the Wildcats missed 4 of 8 free throws after that score, and sophomore Jameigh Miller helped their cause with a three with 1:52 to go in the game. Olivia made 1 of 2 free throws with 11.1 seconds to cushion the final score at 52-49. The Wildcats committed 15 fouls in the second half versus 7 for the Warriors who were still not making their foul shots!
Propst, with 20 points and 12 rebounds and junior Avery Townsend with 20 points, 11 rebounds, 6 deflections, 8 of 9 (89%) free throws, 4 steals and 3 assists were the double-double game-high scorers. Olivia was the next game-high scorer with 14 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists. Smith was next with 12 points (4 threes) and 4 steals. Miller totaled 10 points and 5 rebounds. Freshman Allyson Taylor added 7 points and 13 rebounds (now has 225 this season and is third all-time at PCHS). Junior Riley Pollack added 7 points. Sophomore Shayla Bennett added 11 rebounds, 6 steals and 4 assists. Mackenzie Taylor added 8 rebounds and 3 points.
If Pocahontas County wins the regional game, their record will be (13-11) heading into the state tournament. If East Hardy wins, their record will be (9-15).
The large group of Warrior fans celebrated with the Lady Warriors and took many photos of the girls cutting down the nets. This has been a tough year due to illness of both coaches and players, and we need to thank head coach Mike Kane and his assistant coaches and volunteers Tim McClung, Chloe Bland, Shannon Arbogast and John Snyder to name a few. Our new athletic director, Chasity Taylor, has adjusted very quickly to the demands of the job and to the big changes dealing with MaxPreps, WVSSAC, Hudl and finding new coaches to name a few.