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 !!!!
A.S.P.N on The Hill 