Bruce McKean
Contributing Writer
A Pocahontas County High School Lady Warriors’ game school record was broken at the Senior Night girls basketball game versus Moorefield High School last Thursday, when junior Sarah Ryder tallied a double-double of 22 points, 27 rebounds, three steals and two assists, while hitting four of six free throws.
Ryder’s 27 rebounds broke the record of 24 rebounds set by Chelsea Gum on December 12, 2007, at Tygarts Valley High School. Ryder had matched Mindy Sharp’s record of 21 game rebounds just 20 days ago also versus Moorefield, but on their court.
Ryder started the game with four seniors, Melissa Murphy, Michelle Murphy, Kayleigh Arbogast and Megan Galford, who were all honored with their families and fans after the game.
Moorefield senior Tara George was the only girl on the floor to outscore Ryder. George was game high scorer with 26 points including five three-pointers while also hitting a perfect nine of nine free throws. George grabbed nine rebounds and just missed a double-double. She was the only player to score in every quarter and also hit at least one three in every period.
Head Coach Mike Kane was very pleased with the Lady Warriors’ passing game and the fact that they out-rebounded Moorefield 50-28 and forced 29 turnovers while only committing 10 miscues in the 73 – 41 victory.
When PCHS played at Moorefield on January 8, a two-point PCHS second quarter allowed Moorefield to get within three points, but Pocahontas went on to win, 40-30. This game was tied at 6 – 6, and that was as close as Moorefield ever got. PCHS had two 6-0 runs in the first quarter, a 7-0 run in the second and finished off the Yellowjackets with an 18-0 run in the third stanza.
Losing another four strong seniors for the second year in a row will give Coaches Mike Kane and Mike Murphy a few gray hairs, but they always seem to build another state power each year with their strong summer program. The four seniors scored 23 points Thursday. Melissa Murphy leads the team in steals and assists, is second in scoring and threes, and comes in third in rebounding. Kayleigh Arbogast is second in rebounding and third in steals.
Megan Galford, who took a year break from basketball last season, scored seven points and deflected the ball three times. Michelle Murphy was second high rebounder in the game with Briana Mills, as each tallied five rebounds. Michelle added three assists, three points and two steals.
Junior Mary Kelley came off the bench for Senior Night and exploded in the third quarter for 10 of her 18 game points in a very short time span. Melissa provided eight points, five assists, three steals and one deflection. Arbogast supplied five points, four rebounds and two steals. All 12 Lady Warriors played and 10 scored, plus every player had stats.
PCHS improves to 9-5 and 6-1 in the PVC. Moorefield drops to 5-10 and 4-5 in the PVC.
The PCHS girls (9-5, #11 Metro) travel to Fayetteville (11-2, #6 AP) Friday, February 5 – JV 5:45 p.m., V 7:30 p.m. – and to Tucker County (12-2, #2 AP, Coaches and Metro) on Monday, February 8 – JV 5:45 p.m., V 7:30 p.m.