Varsity jump ball – Greg crushed this one !!

Going to add a few more from Greg that were taken over the weekend.

Any list of true helpers over the past 3 years would include Mr. Talley near the top ! Always willing to help out with the spreading of joy !

** Wanted to add that I had to smile when Mr. Reitzel commented about how hard he had worked while watching 👀 the Cavaliers as a whole, his Son and keeping the Cavalier score book. It was a night 🌙 of energy spurts for sure and more than a few people wearing the Cavaliers colors left Independence feeling a little worn out.

The next thing on the to do list is going to require me using a different format. The hopes of getting the Game Story picked up my bigger outlets for more people to read I have to create it in a different format.

That one will end up back here once its made the rounds because the coverage getting read my the masses trumps us needing to share it hear first.

That clears out my phone for the evening 📱 as well….

Independence – Head Coach Jason Stockner was already going to play minus one of his starters in Hayden Jackson and then stumbled into another pregame challenge in the tip time of the contest.

The team bus departed Hillsville thinking the game was slated to tip at 6:00 pm but once the team arrived they were informed that the start time would be 5:30. Stockner negotiated the best he could at the game tipped of at 5:39.

The combination of the hurried start and two scrappy defenses led to a scoreless game until Dane Leonard scored the initial basket for the Cavaliers on their way to a 33-17 Non-District victory.

The defensive lock down continued until the Blue Devils scored with the clock reading 1:52. Trace Reavis stole a pass near mid-court and scored his second basket just ahead of the horn to give Carroll County (1-1) a 7-4 lead after one quarter. The teams played the second quarter to a 7-7 draw, giving the Cavaliers a 14-11 at the break.

CCHS dominated the third quarter in a manner that could provide a burst of confidence going forward. Blake Reed connected on two 3-pointers and a free throw in the frame in addition to crashing the boards on every possession, leading the team to a 13-2 score in the decisive third quarter. Leonard added four points during the run and finished the night with a game high 11 points. Colton Gravely started in place of Jackson and finished his night with two points along with Landon Kinder tallying 3 points.

Leading 27-13 heading into the fourth quarter allowed Stockner to play every healthy member on his roster. Jayden Jones took full advantage of the playing time, scoring all six of the Cavaliers points in the fourth quarter.

Carroll County will return to action on Thursday night at Fort Chiswell after claiming its initial victory of the season.

Congratulations 👏👏👏 to Coach Stockner and his team!

Still to come – pictures 📷 from Greg Talley, game story on Varsity Boys 👦 plus insight from both Coach Anthony Barnes and Assistant Coach Kris Richardson.

By the early morning 🌄 we will have to game stories from tonight ahead of Honaker…

Hayden Jackson out with an injury tonight.

Carroll County 7-4 after 1st quarter.

6:03 – Halftime – Cavaliers 14, Blue Devils 11

Carroll County dominates the third quarter, 13-2. 13 unanswered points to start the quarter.

27-13 after 3rd

33-17 (F) 6:36pm

JV recap coming later.

Varsity tipped at 6:58

7:13 – end of 1st quarter. 17-7 Cavs

7:29 – Halftime, tied 22-22.

Blue Devils went on a 14-0 run 🏃‍♂️ spread across two quarters. All five points scored in the second quarter for the Cavs came from Bryce Smoot. Bryce leads the team with 13 points at the break.

___________________________

Cavs, 25-3 in the 3rd quarter. Not a typo….

Cavaliers leading 53-30 with 4:22 to go in the 4th…

Final minute – 53/36…

Boys 👦 sweep tonight, two game stories after the drive 🚗 back across!

First, Brandi has sent out the official box score from Saturdays Girls 👧 game.

Second, I wanted to applaud 👏 the efforts of Shannon Dalton for her write ✍ up on the Swimming 🏊‍♂️ Meet!