Folks would be concerned about my mental health if they understood how much energy I put into the planning of our Annual Banquet.
Here’s why that is, 364 days a year I am playing the role of a unpaid Volunteer Assistant on so many fronts. Whether its our hard working Athletic Director Kevin DeHaven and Principal Chuck Thompson, Golden Bears 🐻 Baseball Coach Lawrence Nesselrodt, Angel 😇 on Earth 🌎 Vickey Ritchie,my main Man Rick Nester, Anthony Barnes and his program ( this list cam go on for a while so I will stop because I think that I have made my point).
The Banquet is the only thing that belongs to me, the only time that I have control of the narrative, my narrative.
Everyone that has a relationship with the Holy Bible possess their own key 🔑 points. God has been Great to us and I will start with the fact that I’m still alive and then add that I’m in a position where I can give so much of my time to others.
Love thy neighbor and everyone is EQUAL are two of my focus points. Then you add in the young man that I’m trying to mimic, Tim Tebow. Timmy believe above all else, the two groups we should be there for are Orphans and Widows. I translate that into helping others who need a voice.
One time a year I attempt to gather as many people that have chosen to interact with Lin and I, give them a warm feeling that they are Special. Feed them a nice meal and have them at a table with six people that they have something in common with.
Here is the text Message that Allen Worrell send me a bit ago –
Greg Bolen stopped by a while ago. There is excitement about the cool kids table…
Allen chose to use the correct spelling of Cool 😎, but I’m spelling it Kool.
Tammy Quesenberry, Paul Nester, Vickey Ritchie, Casey Burcham and Dr Mark Burnette each have their own table to surround themselves with the people that mean the most to them. Those tables are named in their honor 🎖.
Now, that leaves 80 chairs 💺 at 10 tables and we have three Ladies that will be greeting each person as they come in and we hope to escort them to the correct table.
The next challenge is how to divide ➗ the folks up so that their experience can be as rememerable as possible.
The Kool Kids table was a No- Brainer and I know that they will enjoy each others company.
The next table will be the ” It’s a Family 👪 Thing ” table. Ron Cochran and his Bride 👰, Brandi Cochran Mitchell and the definition of And 1 in Lauren Alley ➕ Chuck Thompson and Monica will be joined by Mr and Mrs Darren Mathews. There’s a few Family Ties 👔 in that group!
The Greg Maddux Table will include Travis and Emma Leath, Velvet and Chris Leonard alongside one of my three Co-Hosts, Kevin Burress and his Family.
Burress, Marion Harris and Kris Richardson each get two extra tickets 🎟 because they are going to be giving of themselves more so than others.
The Softball Rocks 🎸 Table will include Rick and Donna Nester, Adam and Kayla Nester ➕ Macie Adkins and Company. This is exciting because we will be making our line roll out for the future within this group!
Hoops R Us – will include two seats 💺 for Anthony Barnes, two for Mr & Mrs Jason Stockner and two for Mama Smoot and her Husband Russell. Russ knows he received an invite on his Wife’s coattails. Eddie and Dakota Walls will be at this table as well because of the History between Anthony and Eddie.
The Scholastic Table will include Mr and Mrs Oliver McBride, The Daltons, Ethan Edwards ➕ , Trenton Miller and Maleah Neely.
Beth Bouldin and Bill + Linda Gallimore will share a table with Bill and Barbara Meade and we are going to call 📞 this one Rookies of the Year.
By now it should be noticeable that both Kris Richardson and myself don’t have a place to sit yet nor does Marion Harris and our wives. Mr and Mrs Stephen Puckett, Lawrence Nesselrodt, Dr Samantha Reed
and a few others will make up the Table we will call the Knights of the Round Table.
Howard Mayo, Steve Combs, Kevin DeHaven (pending his availability) and some members of the Reavis Family will compose a table as well.
By my count we are waiting to hear back from Chris Mabry, Ryan Largen, Ethan Richardson and Ashton Richardson. These responses will alter a table or two.
The meeting with the Chef takes place at 2pm tomorrow and that’s when the food order gets officially placed so hopefully we will have the number at that time.
I would like to add a list of people that we invited but cannot join us at the event. Cindy Edwards, Travis Osborne, Patti Goins, Seth Greer, Jay Holderfield, Greg Talley and Kristen Quesenberry along with the Ervin family.
What do the folks here have in common or in short, what warrants an invitation?
Someone who we are honoring – that’s five times 8 = 40
Someone who we have asked to be a Guest speaker 🔊 gets a ➕ 1.
The next group consists to people that have given of themselves to our efforts over the past 12 months.
This certainly is not intended to be an A-List type of Ceremony. It’s actually the complete opposite of it. This is where the Equality part comes into play.
During the four hours or so, EVERYONE is of EQUAL importance. Velvet Creed Leonard to Donald Dalton to Vickey Ritchie to Dr. Oliver McBride to Dakota Walls. This is the Goal of our Lone Day, to have kindness ❤ rule and to give the Glory to God.
11 more Days, 1 more day until we meet with the Chef !
Photo 📷 Credit – Bill GallimoreVarsity Assistant Coach Kris Richardson wanted in on the fun and here’s his choice for himself.
Carroll County JV Boys played their final 🏡🏠🏡 Basketball 🏀 game last night and the scoreboard will tell you that Alleghany defeated our Cavaliers 45-38.
Here is the Line Score :
Alleghany HS. 12-8-7-18= 45
Carroll County 8-8-9-13 = 38
CCHS – Reed 11, Gravley 10, Jackson 9, Rakes 4, Kinder 2, Lark 2 (38)
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Here are the thoughts from Head Coach Jason Stockner :
The first thing worth noting is that Blake ( Goofy) Reed pulled the Cavaliers within 40-38 with 0:31.4 remaining in the game.
I asked Blake’s Mom 👩 if she had a cartoon character that she thought would be relatable. Goofy was her answer.
Just as was the case in the Varsity game when Alleghany made two 3-pointers late to make the game appear closer but reducing the lead from 23 to 17, AHS closed out the scoring by going five of six from the free throw line. This was a one possession game until the final seconds.
Dane ” Thor ” Leonard
Next note 📝 is that the team was once again playing without Thor and his Hammer 🔨 as he is still recovering from his ankle injury.
Goofy led the Cavaliers in scoring and was joined in double figures by Colton ” Road Runner ” Gravley with 10 points.
Next up in regards to scoring was Hayden ” Inspector Gadget ” Jackson with nine points.
The Man with the Answers
Chanson Rakes scored four points and the character that comes to mind is the Pink Panther. A slinder person that is just that cool.
Both Landon Kinder and Eli Lark were Sophomore players that scored two points to round out the scoring. Lark strikes me as a tough young man so his match would be Bam- Bam
That leaves us Landon and here’s the answer…
Ant 🐜 Man
Kinder gers to be both a Cartoon Character and a Super Hero. One that can do whatever it takes and can be big when needed and small when needed.
After the Varsity game ended I was able to share a brotherly moment with Cody and Conner Reece. I loved the fact that Conner said that Cody was a great Big Brother 💘. At that point I asked Cody his thoughts on his little brother and he replied with
Speaking of Big Brothers and Little Brothers, don’t forget that Judah Collins and Samuel Collins are part of this group. I wonder if Judah ever wrestles with his Big Brother ???
The snow ❄ is starting to fall here and its my hope that the Junior Varsity team gets one more opportunity to play ball this year. The weather will be the deciding factor in regards to Thursday night at Radford.
Either way, its been fun to try and shine some light on a pair of Coaches and a group of players over the past few months. It was my intention to make this team feel appreciated 🙏 and I hope that I accomplished this….
The Hill – Carroll County Boys Basketball closed out the home portion of its 2024-2025 season in style Tuesday night, defeating Alleghany High School 67-50.
How much style ? The effort was reminiscent of the Magic Johnson and James Worthy led Showtime Los Angeles Lakers level of style.
There was no way to measure or predict how the Cavaliers (21-1, 10-1 Three Rivers District) would perform in a game that was being played after the fact in regards to clinching their second straight District Crown.
Last time these two teams met, up in the Highlands, Head Coach Anthony Barnes and his team needed 31 of the 32 minutes to secure a hard fought victory. Tuesday night they needed 4:29 of the first quarter.
That is how long that the Cavaliers defense held the Cougars scoreless. Brayden Smoot gave an early tease of things to come when he nailed a 3-pointer to open the scoring and then it became the Cody Reece portion of the show. Reece scored the next seven points in a variety of ways and he executed a perfectly designed inbounds play to make it 10-0 its was all but over.
Give Alleghany credit for answering back from the initial charge as the Cougars trimmed the lead to 14-11 at the end of the quarter but Carroll County was just getting started.
Barnes had a duel role in that he was coaching the team up and still took the time to take in the Lake Show.
“What an awesome night in the Cavalier Den. The band , the students the fans,” said Barnes. ” I told the guys yesterday the community is excited about them and fun to watch and they didn’t disappoint tonight either, we jumped on them right out of the gate, getting to the basket and great defensive stops, then we couldn’t but a basket good looks but would not go”
After the brief pause in the offensive juganout that was taking place, the starting lineup just took turns at the wheel. Reece scored 13 points with over half of them coming in a two minute spurt and Isaiah Easter scored 10 of his 15 in a similar case in the third quarter.
The Smoot & Smoot portion of the show finished with Bryce edging his slightly younger twin 17-15 but the night very much belonged to Brayden.
” We get going again with the other Smoot , Brayden Smoot what a phenomenal game on both ends, he just don’t stop , quit or give in, ” added Barnes . ” He literally lite a fire under us then it was over. Landon Puckett doesn’t hit stat the line alot you its all the defense and gritty play from him. You wanna win high school games play like these guys do, Unselfish, Team.”
Carroll County led 55-36 after the Easter portion of the show ended the third quarter. Alleghany opened the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer to pull within 16 points before the Cavaliers elevated their game over the next two minutes in a manner that would have landed four plays on the ESPNSportscenter Top 10.
Easter was the first to have the fans reaching for their popcorn 🍿 when he twisted his body through a hole that didn’t exist, then somehow managed to get under the farside of the basket for a heavily spun reverse layup.
After Reece floated a baseline jumper it was time for the pass of the night. Ethan Richardson ( 7 points) and Easter were trying to run a fast break along with Bryce Smoot but none of the trio could gain control of the basketball. Richardson was able to push the ball down hard enough forward that it was flying in the air in the direction of the basket 🧺 but there was little chance the play could be made.
Making a pass in that moment was highlight number two and Bryce Smoot somehow managed to get control of both the ball and his body in time to score the points while falling out of bounds.
The play of the night 🌙 came on the next trip down the court when Brayden Smoot used a cross over move on his defender that is called an ankle breaker. The Cougar defender slid backwards five feet and everyone in the building, including his Brother went into, Oh No he didn’t mode.
Just as a nod to his brother, Bryce followed that up with a 3-pointer that would have made JJ Reddick or Steph Curry proud. If someone wanted to get Barnes something for Christmas 🎄it should be a reel of those two minutes. AHS did make consecutive 3-pointers to trim the lead back to 67-50 but they never had a chance.
The next time Carroll County plays at home they will be hosting a Regional tournament game. Weather Permitting, the Cavaliers will close out the regular season Thursday night at Radford.
The final destination for the Cavalier Express will take place one way or another in the coming weeks. Nobody in the Gymnasium last night 🌙 didn’t have a bit of fun and contributed to the amazing atmosphere. While Barnes doesn’t have a head of slicked back hair like Pat Riley does, for a night he was the Head Coach of Showtime !
” Family atmosphere and flat out fun too watch,” noted Barnes. “Four guys in double figures lead by 17 from Bryce Smoot. I don’t know how this story ends just yet, but I put my money on them any day. HOW ABOUT BEING A CAVALIER!”
The Junior Varsity team was involved in a defensive tussle from start to finish in the opener. The Cougars ended up winning at the end, 45-38. Blake Reed (11 points), Colton Gravley (10 points) and Hayden Jackson (9 points) led a balanced attack for the Cavaliers.
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That officially ends the story that both Allen Worrell and Coach Barnes will run but I wanted to add a note ahead of the next time Carroll County hosts a game on The Hill. Every game played in the Gym for here out could be the last time this amazing group of Student Athletes get to represent our School.
The atmosphere last night was such a BONUS and trust me, the Cavaliers fed off of it. Coming to the Gym for the next game PLEASE remember that its not about being clever or taunting the opposition, its about being LOUD to the point that the other team is overwhelmed.
That happened last night and it would be awesome if it happened again next time because while last night it didn’t matter if we won or not but next time out it does.
Major props to our Pep Band and to everyone who contributed to the noise level in what Barnes himself called a Family 👪 Atmosphere.
Home 🏡 Court advantage is a HUGE part of this going forward. If you question that at all, look back to the sole defeat this season and think about the fact that Glenvar and there fan base made more noise than ours. Not in our House, not the rest of this Last Dance as Coach calls it.
There’s no need to attack the opposition, just make it so loud that they can’t think straight and the sermon ends with one final note – bring this guy !!!!
Getting an opportunity 🙏 to share the between games break with Mrs Beth Bouldin was a blessing as there are few things more meaningful to me than a quality conversation with a quality individual.
A number of people aren’t quite sure about what it is that I’m trying hard to accomplish with my efforts. Getting a few top shelf minutes to discuss it with the only person that I went out of my way to recruit, meant a great deal to me.
Three pics from atop the Gym from Mrs. Bouldin.
Next up, Mr Bill Gallimore sent in his captures of both of his captures of the jump balls, which will appear in the gamers that will be written next.
The last two were mine as I always try to capture at least one or two of our Cheer squads hard at work. These efforts are not going to win any awards for quality but it validates my thought process about all people and things being equal.
Getting the opportunity to get Dr. Mark Burnette up to speed about next Sunday was very enjoyable and helped put a little bit of my Brain 🧠 at ease. While our soon to be retired School leader attended our event last year, he will be a much more active participant this time around and I wanted to walk 🚶♂️ Dr Burnette through the steps.
Mr Doug Reitzel was kind enough to share a few minutes of his evening with me after the game and it also was high quality conversation.
Hopefully, someone 🙏 reading this can connect the dots and see just how meaningful it is for someone to share their most valuable possession with me as ones time cannot be replaced.
I will wrap this one up with some very exciting news about a conversation that took place with Mr. Seth Greer last night. While I am bummed that our Varsity Football Coach will be out of town next weekend but we were able to discuss an idea 💡 that was / is very important to me and I’m hopeful that we can work on it in the future.
It’s now 5:33 am and the two gamers are not going to write themselves.
Last night 🌙 was a fun night on The Hill and I will do my best to capture it !
A.S.P.N on The Hill 