Jason Stockner and his Carroll County High School Junior Varsity Boys Basketball 🏀 team had their season end this morning as their game at Radford has been canceled due to weather conditions.
Anthony Barnes and his CCHS Varsity team had their night in the Bobcats gym scratched as well but the #2 seeded Cavaliers will look to host a regional quarterfinal game Tuesday night at 6pm.
Hailie Cushman and her Junior Varsity Girls team had already seen their season end early after Radford dropped the end of their JV season.
Howard Mayo and his Girls Varsity team received a fourth different answer. While the Boys cannot play Friday because of Regional play starting, the Girls still have that as an option. It’s still possible that The Hill could host a ballgame on Friday night but its still tagged with those two words – Weather Permitting.
Later this morning decisions will be made in regards to Radford – Carroll County Basketball 🏀 games getting played this evening. We will share that information with folks once it has been announced.
Meanwhile, we take a look ahead to the Boys Regional tournament which is slated to begin tomorrow night 🌙. The last 90 minutes have been dedicated to trying to build a bracket. I laugh at the fact that I know a bracket exists but I don’t have a copy.
We know that Carroll County (21-1) is the #2 seed and will host the winner 🏆 of the #7 – #10 match-up between Lord Botetourt and Bassett. This is factual.
#1 seed can only be Northside High School and they will host the winner 🏆 of #9 @ #8. This game would appear to be Pulaski County (5-18) at Tunstall (7-16). That match-up is confirmed by Max Preps.
That leaves the three teams not invited to the Party and the seeds 3,4,5,6.
Cave Spring (14-10) is the only other team who has a winning record so that should land them the #3 seed and on Tuesday they will host what should be #6 Abingdon (12-12).
Magna Vista (4-19) and Christiansburg (7-18) would appear to be on the outside looking in so that leaves three teams. We need a #4 + #5 + another team staying home.
It’s important to remember that its not the record of the team alone, its based on a point system.
Hidden Valley and William Byrd both have an 11-12 record so it would make sense that this is the 4-5 match-up but that leaves Staunton River at 10-15 being ranked below a 6-16 Bassett squad ???
As I mentioned earlier, fun puzzle stuff and hopefully someone will get back to me on my guesses.
Tonight has MACC looking to travel to Rural Retreat, the Varsity Girls 👧 set to host Radford and both Boys 👦 teams set to play at Radford. Being that the three Hoops games involve the same opponent it would be hard to imagine that its not all or none answer.
If the three games are being played my night will consist of watching 👀 two games on the Network and announcing the Home game as Mr DeHaven said Christy was going to be unavailable tonight.
We know that if MACC does get the Green Light. Mrs Shannon Dalton will fill in all of the blanks for us !
Between now and then its meet the Banquet Chef at 2pm and stay warm !
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 !!!!
