The Fort – Carroll County JV Boys won a defensive struggle  over East Wilkes in the 3rd place game and the Varsity teams played a contest 179 points were scored in 32 minutes with EWHS prevailing in the end, 92 -87.

Isaiah Easter led the Cavaliers with 34 points and 10 assists but they were unable to keep pace in a high octane fourth quarter. The Cardinal outscored CCHS 30 – 19 down the stretch to closeout the victory.

Carroll County closed out the third quarter with a 10-7 spurt to create some distance at 68 – 62 but couldn’t find the answers down the stretch. The 27 points scored in the third quarter by the Cavaliers helped recover from a third straight slow start for the team.

”  This one is tough, slow start again and our execution at the end , felt like we forced a couple of shots, had a couple critical turnovers and dang finishing at the basket with contact,” said Head Coach Anthony Barnes.

  “I thought tonight for a quarter and a half we looked the best we have all year, we still getting beat too much of the dribble, causing foul trouble recovering late and making late contact We only took 13 three pointers made 9, 60 % was 25-50 from floor 50% . Only 10 turnovers. Gave up 10 second shots for 6 points one a 3, left 8 free-throws on the table ( they made 9 more ). I think we just flat couldn’t finish it out., “

Back to back contests were both times the Cavaliers scored in the 80’s might have led to running low on fuel down the stretch. Blake Reed capped off his 16 point effort with a clutch 3 – pointer with 1:38 remaining to give CCHS the lead at 87-86 but it proved to be the final basket of the night for the Cavaliers.

Colton Gravley (12 points ) and Hayden Jackson (10 points ) joined Easter and Reed in double figures, giving Barnes another quadruple attack. Will Motley added five points and both Kyle Bunn and Trace Reavis four points while Eli Lark added two points to the total.

” We  got some great minutes from Hayden and Trace down the stretch, ” added Barnes. ” The free-throws they made 8 , compared to our 2 in the fourth sealed the deal for them. We not going away , we played hard , we are tough and eventually the pie will have all the filling! GO CAVS !”

Carroll County JV Boys bounced back from a Semi-final loss to Radford with a hard fought victory over the Cardinal. The latest victory for first year Head Coach Ryan Phillips allows his squad to look forward to 2026.

Both teams will enter the New Year with a record of 4 – 4 and ready to compete in the always tough Three Rivers District. Glenvar is set to make its annual trip to The Hill on January 6th.

Carroll County High 18  23  27  19 – 87

East Wilkes High       27  15  20  30 – 92

Carroll County (87) – Easter 34, Reed 16, Gravley 12, Jackson 10, Motley 5, Reavis 4, Bunn 4, Lark 2.