Bryce Smoot led the Carroll County Cavaliers to the 2023-2024 Three Rivers District Championship in a contest that will stand the test of time. The Junior finished the 61-55 victory over Radford with 27 points, including 10 of the last 12 the Cavs scored in the game.
The two teams met an extra time this season due to a pairing in the Fort Chiswell Holiday tournament back in December. CCHS rolled the Bobcats the first time around and then handled their business on The Hill but last night they had to play in a Gymnasium that has been a Haunted House for CCHS Boys basketball.
Bryce entered the game with 986 points, crossing the 1,000 point threshold at 4:14 of the third quarter but he was just getting started. Cody Reece was on the receiving end of a touch pass from Smoot and converted the layup to give the Cavaliers a 49-43 lead as the third quarter ended. The final eight minutes will live in Cavalier lore for quite some time.
Radford connected on four consecutive 3-pointers to open the final quarter with the final one giving the home team a 55-52 lead with 3:25 left in the contest. Each of the swished baskets came with a hand in the face so the Cavaliers tightened their defensive belt another knotch or two down the stretch. If your opponent can’t miss then all you can do is keep them from getting a clean look. CCHS outscored Radford 9-0 after the basket that gave them the late lead. Bryce came straight down the floor and tied the game at 55-55 by hitting his fifth of 3-pointer.
Sophomore Isaiah Easter (15 points) put the team ahead with a strong cut to the basket with 2:08 remaining. Smoot would ice the dramatic victory by going four of four from the foul line. Head Coach Anthony Barnes knew going in just how difficult it is to defeat a good team three times in a six week window.
” Shew a dog fight and we knew possibly it could be that way,” said Barnes. “We struggled finishing at the rim first half , was real loose with ball 9 turnovers first half, they shot lights out , and definitely are playing better. “
Davis Reitzel was the third Cavalier to finish in double figures with 13 points. Eleven of the 13 were scored in the third quarter in a prelude to the Grand Finale.
“They did a great job keeping Davis in check , he got some huge rebounds near the end,” Barnes added. ”We still paced 3 guys in double figures, Easter 11, Reitzel 13. Bryce Smoot 27 pts for the night and reached his 1,000 a huge accomplishment for a junior, he made 4 huge free-throws at the end to seal the deal as well.They pushed us we stayed focused and uncontrol which is what I’m most proud of.God has blessed our TEAM kept them healthy and rewarding their hard work day in and out. GO CAVS !”
The Cavaliers will not have long to bask in the glory of their defining moment in a season long Train ride of playing unselfish team basketball.
Carroll County returns to action tonight when they travel over to Stuart to face Patrick County in their District finale. The team then returns to The Hill on Friday for a recently added tilt with Christiansburg. CCHS was in need of another game after the second contests with both Fort Chiswell and Galax were not able to be rescheduled.
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This marks the end of the story for Allen Worrell. Now two questions for the Hoops Historians out there ????
Is the dual Championships for the Boys 👦 and Girls a first ?
There was speculation about the Cavaliers ever winning in the Bobcat Den prior to last night. Any thoughts on that one ???
It’s a great day to be a Cavalier !
A.S.P.N on The Hill 