Carroll County Boys Basketball completed a regular season ending three games in three days by defeating Christiansburg 83-72 Friday night on The Hill.
The fourth quarter of the finale played out in a manner that is seldom seen. CCHS earned their 21-1 mark this season by simply wearing their opponent down but the Blue Deamons weren’t fading away. CHS pulled within 54-50 at the end of the third quarter.
The fact that 51 combined points were scored over the last eight minutes is a story in itself but when you breakdown how it played out it defies logic. Carroll County put a stranglehold on CHS that would have made John Cena proud.
The mixture of in your face defense and run and gun offense created a run for the ages. When Ethan Richardson connected on a 3-pointer at 2:09 remaining it capped a 20-2 spurt. During that run, Davis Reitzel (30 points) became the 10th member of the Boys program to join the 1,000 point club.
Coach Anthony Barnes called a timeout for a lineup change with the lead at 74-52 with 129 seconds remaining. Christiansburg proceeded to bury SIX 3-pointers and a pair of free throws in the remaining time. The run reached 14-0 quickly and Barnes returned his starters to the contest. The lead was down to 74-66 but Reitzel would sink five of six free throws over the final minute to preserve the victory.
” What can I say but what a night to be a Cavalier, fought off a hard playing well coached team to end the regular season,” Barnes said. ” We took their punches and best shots and kept standing strong, we struggled keeping them out of the paint but made some adjustments at half and it effected them getting it inside , then the Cavalier train 🚆 started rolling down the tracks.”
Wednesday night Bryce Smoot crossed the threshold of 1,000 points and the team clinched the Three Rivers District regular season Championship with a hard fought 61-55 victory. Thursday night was a great deal less stressful as the Cavaliers secured a second straight road victory in Stuart, 82-40 over Patrick County.
Christiansburg was a late addition to the schedule after attempts to reschedule postponed games with both Galax and Fort Chiswell didn’t pan out. As it turns out, playing the Blue Deamons created a taste of post season basketball.
” It was a huge night for Davis Reitzel 30 pts 10 huge rebounds and the 10th guy in school history and 2 one this season to reach a 1,000,” Barnes added. ” What a statement made by the hard work thru the years by this group. Brayden Smoot had an excellent night knocking down 2 3’s and doing like he always does, non stop in your grill defensive, even took a shot to face along way. Tally had nice night with 9, and killer assists. Bryce with 15 quite points and Reece with cleanups at 8. Proud of my guys , 3 games in a row , along with being students as well. Unbelievable season which will be remembered for years, now in a week in a half it resets to win or go home, I feel like we are ready for challenge, hopefully up the road to the state !”
The next step in the journey takes place Thursday on The Hill as the Cavaliers will now host the #2 team in the District in a one game showcase.
Regional play gets underway next Saturday but the Cavaliers will have a bye until the following Tuesday night. That contest will also take place on The Hill.
*** From here Coach will add his box 📦 score by way of Allen Worrell and the story will eventually make its way on-line and hopefully in the Newspaper 📰.
A.S.P.N on The Hill 