On a night where there was post season electricity in the building, Fort Chiswell High School did just enough to split the season series with Carroll County, defeating the visiting Cavaliers 83-67 Tuesday night.

Owen Jackson led the attack for the Pioneers with 41 points while Isaiah Easter (23 points) led a trio of Cavaliers who finished up in double figures as both Blake Reed and Colton Gravley netted 13 points for Head Coach Anthony Barnes.

The two teams played a thrilling 96-95 game that went in the favor of CCHS (2-1) back on December 3rd but due to the weather the Cavaliers had not played since. Fort had been able to play three times since then and now sits at 4-1 on the season.

The game played out in a series of runs at the home team started out the gate quickly, racing out to a 9-2 lead and pushed the advantage out to 25-11 after the first quarter. While Barnes could have easily played the we were rusty card, the Coach took a different route.

” I think you know me and I’m a strait shooter good or bad , not making any excuses,” Barnes said. “We came out flat with not our normal energy and effort, then magnified by 43% shooting from field, 4-24 for 16% at 3 point line.”

One of the adjustments that Fort Chiswell made was its attempts to double Easter each time we touched the ball on the offensive end of the floor. As Barnes mentioned the 3-pointer percentage being 16%, the shots will need to fall at a higher rate for Easter to see less double teaming as the season moves forward.

While the initial setback was disappointing for Barnes, there is no reason to panic.

” We left 8 free-throws on the table and gave up 15 boards for second shots, Barnes added.. ” We didn’t control the boards dug a hole , as bad as it was cut it to 9 and 11 twice but never could get a run or constant scoring. I told them we dust ourselves off , learn from it and fix the things  like controlling boards, and not getting beat off dribble drives. I could make excuses but clean up all of that by a 1/3 in every category we are fine.”

Down 14 after the opening quarter and playing on a big stage, the younger Cavaliers were able to settle in just a bit. Carroll County won the second half 39-38 and played the final three quarters to a two point game. Reed, Gravely, Will Motley (7 points) and Hayden Jackson (4 points) are each trying to make the transition to playing at the next level.

Seniors, Kyle Bunn (5 points) and Trace Reavis (2 points ) rounded out the scoring for the Cavaliers. Thankfully, they are finished with trying to guard Jackson for a bit anyway.

The good news for the Cavaliers is that they will get right back on the horse 🐎 two more times this week. Both contests will be on the road but if last night was an example, Carroll County will still hear plenty of friendly noise in their ears.

Thursday night at Christiansburg and then the make-up game on Friday over in Galax will round out the week.

Ryan Phillips and his Junior Varsity team opened the evening with a hard fought 28-21 victory and will look to continue with their winning ways on Thursday night.

Carroll County High  11  17. 16. 23 – 67

Fort Chiswell High     25  20. 19. 19 – 83