Bruce McKean
Contributing Writer
Pocahontas County…….27
Cameron…………………….64
Sportswriter Tim Stephens of HD Media reported in the March 5 Charleston Gazette-Mail that Class A No 1 Seed Cameron (20-5) would be seeking their third consecutive state title, something not accomplished since Class AAA Morgantown in 2014, 2015 and 2016. He also reported that CHS’s 5 losses this season were to larger, stronger programs such as Huntington, Spring Valley, Wayne, Wheeling Park, Norwin PA, Parkersburg South and Belmont (Ohio) Union Local. Stephens also reported that senior Cameron 6-foot-3 post player Ashlyn Van Tassell has signed with Youngstown State and is a career 2,000-point player. CHS senior Kenzie Clutter, one of four senior starters, was also mentioned as one of West Virginia’s premier point guards.
Stephens mentioned in his assessment that the first Cameron opponent, the #8 seed Pocahontas County High School Lady Warriors, rely on a sound defense and proved themselves in a 53-45 victory over Class AA power Summers County on the road in the last regular season game. He also wrote that sophomore Calli Propst averages 10.8 points a game and senior Olivia Vandevender 10.3. He also mentioned freshman Allyson Taylor grabbing 10 rebounds per contest.
After the game, HD Media reported in the March 7 Gazette-Mail that Cameron coach Holly Pettit made her 100th career win in her fifth season. Van Tassell finished with 29 points, 22 rebounds, 6 steals and 2 blocks. Pettit was quoted as saying: “It was a great game. It was rough and tough. I am proud of our girls keeping their composure and getting the win. I am used to (physical play). A lot of teams have played that way versus us this season.” It was also reported that: “Both teams struggled from the floor as PCHS shot 11 of 56 (20%) and was 0 for 12 from 3-point range, while Cameron was 25 for 74 (34%) and only 3 of 19 (16%) from behind the arc.”
PCHS started slow and CHS led 19-3 after one quarter with Van Tassell scoring 7 twos for 14 points. The Warriors warmed up and held Van Tassell to 7 points in the second quarter and took it 13-11 cutting the CHS lead at the half to 30-16. Cameron scored 17 points in both the third and fourth quarters, while PCHS scored 5 in the third and 6 in the fourth. The Dragons out rebounded the Warriors 54-31 and committed fewer turnovers 13-25. PCHS hit 5 of 10 (50%) free throws, and CHS hit 11 of 15 (73%).
PCHS team high stats were: Riley Pollack – 9 points and 4 rebounds; Shayla Bennett – 7 points, 4 rebounds and 1 block; Propst – 6 points, 9 rebounds, 4 deflections, 1 block and 1 steal; Allyson Taylor – 5 points and 9 rebounds; and Vandevender – 3 deflections, 2 rebounds and 1 steal. A few PCHS players were dealing with illnesses and were not up to their usual strength.
PCHS ended the season with a 13-12 record and an 11th PCHS trip to states, and CHS ended its season with a 23-5 record and a third straight state championship.
PCHS senior graduates are Mileya Bircher, Olivia Vandevender, Kynlee Wilfong and Andrea Alderman. All 13 Lady Warriors saw action in the game, and 7 of 13 Dragons saw action.
Congratulations are in order for coaches Mike Kane, Tim McClung, Shannon Arbogast and Chloe Bland plus all the fans and cheerleaders who made the trip to Charleston to support the team.