Avery Receiver Childress Inks with Mars Hill College

Avery Vikings senior gridiron standout Chris Childress will be playing football at the college level this fall, as he has signed to play college football for Mars Hill College.

Childress shined as a quarterback and wide receiver for the Vikings on offense, while also excelling as a defensive back with four interceptions for Avery this past season. He takes his skills to the next level, joining head coach Tim Clifton’s team at Mars Hill College.

“I’m looking forward to Mars Hill. It’s the only school that I sent tape to, and I’ve heard a lot of great things about the school,” Childress said during Monday’s signing day press conference at Avery High School. “Coach (Mars Hill head football coach Tim) Clifton has been impressed with the players that have come from Avery, and how they aren’t afraid to stick their nose in and be hit or deliver a hit to somebody, and he said he’s looking forward to working with me, and I’m really looking forward to working with he and his staff too.”

Childress joins a Lions team that already boasts a pair of Avery players on its roster in Zach Johnson and Trevor Shields, and has just graduated another Avery alumnus in quarterback Ricky Spradling.

Childress looks forward to playing on a Lions team that has shown in the past that it likes to use the passing game. “I’m excited about being part of a passing team. I love catching the ball and making plays, and I’m looking forward to seeing what they lead me to do and perform for them,” Childress added.

Chris was joined at his signing day by parents Danny and Christina Childress, as well as grandmother Mary Alice Childress. Chris’s family are extremely proud of what he has been able to accomplish at Avery and look forward to him continuing his education and playing career at the college level, particularly at a college with the reputation and proximity of Mars Hill.

“We’re really excited for Chris. This has always been something he has wanted to do since second grade, and it will be like old times with Chris playing with some of his Avery teammates,” Chris’s father Danny commented. “He’s worked hard for this and we’re really proud of him. It’s definitely a dream come true for him, and the fact that it is close by also helps a lot.”

“The coaches were impressed with the players that have come from Avery and of how they were like family, and how every kid they’ve ever had from up here have been successful there,” Chris’s mother Christina added. “The coaches were impressed with Chris and what they saw on tape, and are excited and looking forward to having Chris play there.”

The Childress family was appreciative of those who have helped Chris have this opportunity, including Avery Middle School head football coach Donnie Johnson who put his highlight tape together, as well as the Avery High coaches who have helped Chris throughout his high school career.

“I’ve known Chris and his family since he was a little boy, and to see him come through here and work and have a great career has been a neat thing. I’m really proud of him and glad to see him have the opportunity to continue playing on at Mars Hill,” Avery Vikings head football coach Darrell Brewer remarked. “It’s a good complement to our program that Mars Hill has never had a player there that they didn’t like. It goes back to the families in this area and that the coaches know they’re gonna get a dang good football player.”

Childress had a slow start to his senior season and was limited in his football capacities due to an elbow injury sustained in the early summer, but battled back to lead the team in receptions and receiving yards in 2008.

“A lot of kids probably would have hung it up after what he went through. I think the injury had a little effect on play at times this year but he never complained. He worked hard and played right through it,” Coach Brewer stated. “Coach Clifton and those guys will get him in the weight room and put a little weight on him. I believe he’ll be a great fit for them at Mars Hill. They’re excited about how he worked out for them and have told me they were really excited about getting another Avery County boy.”

Childress was proud and appreciative to have the chance to play football for Coach Brewer and his staff at Avery High. “The coaches pushed us and they expect the best out of us. I never expected to be able to go to school to play football, but figured it might be for baseball,” Childress said. “Coach (Donnie) Johnson at the middle school put together a tape for Mars Hill for me, and I figured I’d send it in for the heck of it. They looked at it and liked what they saw.”

Also an outstanding player on the diamond for the Avery baseball team, Childress hopes he might get the opportunity to also try out for the baseball squad for the Lions. “I spoke with the baseball coach and he told me I could walk on there and possibly have a chance to make the team,” Chris explained. “I had a little interest in playing baseball for other schools, but didn’t have the football opportunity that Mars Hill has offered.”

Avery Varsity Girls Earn Sweep; Varsity Boys Comeback Falls Short on Senior Night

On Tuesday evening in Viking Gym the Avery girls varsity basketball squad honored its four senior players for their contributions to the Lady Vikings program. Katie Ellis, Samantha Shook, Sara Singleton, and Allison Vance were each recognized with their families prior to tipoff against a tough Mountain Heritage club. The Lady Vikings overcame the emotion of the evening and was able to pick up their ninth conference win of the season with a 57-51 win.

Avery took a 16-10 lead over the Cougars after one period of play by using similar formula that earned it a 58-53 win over Mountain Heritage in Burnsville earlier in the season. The Lady Vikings kept constant pressure on the Lady Cougars and forced a large number of turnovers. Shook scored five first-quarter points, with four from sophomore Katelynn Eudy.

The stifling defense of the Big Red forced a total of 18 turnovers from Mountain Heritage in the first half of action. Defensive stops meant transition opportunities for the Avery offense, which the Lady Vikings used to outscore Heritage 13-4 in the second quarter for a commanding 29-14 halftime lead.

Avery began the second half with a 6-0 scoring run to build its lead to 21 points, but Mountain Heritage finished the quarter strong. Courtney Huskins scored 10 points in the period to pull the Lady Cougars back to within 15 points at 44-29 as the fourth quarter began.

The Lady Cougars defense tightened in the final eight minutes as the Vikings went cold on offense. Avery was held without a field goal for the entire fourth quarter as the Cougars clawed back into the contest. An 8-2 scoring run in the first 3:30 of the quarter brought the Heritage team within single digits at 46-37.

Foul trouble and turnovers also haunted the Lady Vikings. Katie Ellis fouled out of the game late in the fourth quarter with 10 points and 11 rebounds, while both Allison Vance and Samantha Shook played with four fouls each. Heritage took advantage with its inside duo of Huskins and Taylor Boone. The pair scored 21 second-half points for the Lady Cougars to spark their rally.

Mountain Heritage drew to within six of Avery in the game's final minute and four points in the final seconds, but a 13 of 18 free throw effort by the Lady Vikings preserved their lead and subsequent victory.

Katelynn Eudy led all Avery scorers with 14 points and eight rebounds. Vance also scored 12 for the Lady Vikings with five assists and four rebounds. Shook chipped in with eight points, with seven points from Lauren Avery. The Lady Vikings improved its record to 15-8 overall and 9-2 in conference play.

Avery's varsity boys team capped off Senior Night by honoring its lone senior player Jared Ward prior to tipoff.

The Vikings were blitzed by over 40 points in a road loss to Mountain Heritage in Burnsville, but Tuesday evening was a different story as the Vikings ralled from a double-figure deficit to nearly pull off the win over the conference leading-Cougars. Mountain Heritage held on, however to hold off the upset-minded Big Red 80-70.

Mountain Heritage jumped on Avery in the opening minutes of the game with an 8-3 run. The Cougars (16-5, 10-1 WHC) used their outside shooting to sink four 3-point baskets in the period. Steven Wilson tallied eight points in the quarter to lead the Cougars, while Avery's Dustin Clarke answered with six points in the frame. Mountain Heritage held a 22-10 lead after one period of play.

The Cougars continued to exhibit confidence in its outside scoring with the mindset that their inside height advantage could generate multiple offensive rebounding opportunities. Guard Michael Fender laced a pair of three-pointers in the quarter and Will McCurry hit the third of his three trifectas for the half during the stanza.

Avery in the meantime relied on the hot hand of Clarke who scored 21 points in the first half, including three baskets from behind the arc in the second quarter and the final one coming on a 30-footer off the glass as the halftime horn sounded. Thomas Dellinger came off the bench with a pair of baskets as Avery cut the Heritage lead to 41-32 at halftime.

It became evident as the second half began that Avery was not going to suffer the same fate as the first encounter between the two clubs. The Big Red was not intimidated by the taller Cougars and was willing to fight to the bitter end. Avery outscored the Cougars 17-15 during the third stanza. The Vikings cut the lead to 56-49 going into the final eight minutes of play.

Avery continued to cut into the Mountain Heritage lead into the fourth quarter, while the Cougars looked to its go-to player inside, 6'10" center Jon Cannon. The big man scored 12 of his team-high 18 points in the second half, while adding nine rebounds and seven blocked shots for the game.

The Vikings trailed 70-62 with under two minutes to play, but a four-point play by Clarke instantly cut the Heritage lead to four points at the 1:38 mark. Mountain Heritage took control of the contest for good after the conversion with a 10-4 run primarily on shots from the free throw line to close out the game.

Dustin Clarke led all scorers with a season-high 32 points, with eight rebounds, four steals, three assists, and two blocks. Jared Ward added 14 in his final regular season home game to go with six rebounds and a pair of steals. Joey Potter was the only other Avery player in double figures with ten points. Along with Cannon, Steven Wilson and Michael Fender added 16 points each for Mountain Heritage, with 11 points from Will McCurry.

Avery closes the regular season on Friday night at Mitchell.

Junior Varsity Keeps Winning Streaks Alive over Heritage

The Avery Vikings hosted the Mountain Heritage Cougars for a quartet of entertaining games on Tuesday night in Viking Gym.

With one game remaining on the regular season schedule, Avery's junior varsity girls remained undefeated in Western Highlands Conference play with a 60-51 win over Mountain Heritage.

The Lady Vikings found themselves in a tough battle through much of the first half, leading by a single point at 16-15 after the first period. Late in the second quarter, a spurt helped the Big Red open up a seven-point edge at 32-25 at halftime.

The clubs continued a physical contest in the third quarter, as Avery continued to keep its lead, building it up slightly to 45-36 with one quarter to play.

Over the final stanza the Big Red found themselves taking frequent trips to the foul line. Avery held a five-point lead midway through the fourth period when the Mountain Heritage head coach was assessed a technical foul following an official's foul call. Mercedes Bentley hit three of four free throws to boost the Avery lead to eight.

Savannah Dellinger was fouled on Avery's ensuing possession and hit two free throws to double the Avery advantage to ten over mere seconds of play. The lead was all Avery needed as it sealed the remainder of the game from the lead. Dellinger highlighted the team's sterling performance at the stripe as she was a perfect 6 for 6 in the quarter The team went 11 for 15 in the quarter from the free throw to keep the Lady Cougars at bay and preserve the win.

Unlike the Polk County contest when she was consistently denied the ball, Mercedes Bentley bounced back with a passion against the Cougars by scoring a game-high 22 points with six assists and three steals. A pair of other Lady Vikings reached double-figures in the win, as Logan Johnson netted 11 points, four rebounds and three steals and Savannah Dellinger scored ten points.

"We hadn't practiced in several days, and it's tough to not be able to practice and have to go out and play. I thought we responded well because they had won seven in a row and had not lost since we beat them over there," Lady Vikings head coach Pat Daniels said after the win. "I was proud of the girls' effort. Logan Johnson wasn't feeling well but she played a heck of a game and ran the court well. Mercedes scored and distributed the ball for us. They broke our press a few times so we adjusted and played more half court defense. We set screens for each other offensively and we did pretty well against their defense."

The JV boys game featured a thrilling comeback in the final minute and a buzzer-beater finish as Avery won 50-47. Mountain Heritage led for much of the contest and held a narrow 37-36 lead as the final quarter began. The Cougars increased its advantage to 42-38 with just over four and a half minutes to play, but a Benji Stewart free throw and a Taylor Potter jumper cut the lead back to a point at 42-41.

Following three straight points off free throws from Heritage, Avery found itself trailing again by three with 2:00 on the clock. Timmy Stewart hit a jump shot a minute later to make the score 45-43 with 1:03 to go. Mountain Heritage refused to fold, as a jumper gave the Cougars a four-point edge at 47-43 with only 50 seconds to play.

Avery's defense held the Cougars scoreless for the rest of the game while the offense went to work. Spencer Blackburn drove the lane and was fouled. He hit both free throws to make the score 47-45 with 36 seconds to play. Taylor Potter then stole the ball from a Heritage player to give possession back to the Big Red. On Avery's subsequent offensive set, Potter was fouled and calmly sank both ends of a one-and-one to tie the score at 47 with 16.3 seconds to play.

The game reached its crecendo as the final seconds played out. Avery's Dustin Clark was called for a foul on Heritage, but the player missed both free throws. Avery rebounded the second miss and pushed the ball upfloor. Timmy Stewart grabbed a long rebound off a missed Viking shot and heaved a shot from beyond the arc in front of the Viking bench that ended with his back facing the rim. The shot sailed through the as the horn sounded and Stewart was mobbed by teammates as the home crowd cheered.

Avery celebrated its fourth straight conference win and the JV boys stand at 6-5 in conference play. The Vikings travel to Ledger Friday night to play Mitchell.

CHS-Unicoi Game Moved; Saturday Night Shootout Set

The Cloudland Highlanders game scheduled for next Monday against Unicoi County in Erwin has been moved to Saturday, February 14. Game times remain the same.

The Highlanders contest against Hampton for Friday night is on as scheduled. It is also Senior Night.

Vikings Take Three of Four from Polk; Senior Night tonight vs. Heritage

Avery hosted Polk County on the hardwood Monday night in Viking Gym. For the third consecutive contest, the JV squads pulled off an evening sweep.

The JV girls had a difficult time with a tough Lady Wolverines club but prevailed 44-40. Leading scorer Mercedes Bentley was shadowed all night by the Polk defense, but hit three of four free throws in the closing seconds to seal the win.

Emily Pritchard led the Lady Vikings with 12 points on the night, with six points from Savannah Dellinger and five by Logan Johnson. Shayna Vance added four points and seven rebounds, with four points and nine rebounds from Mary Chesnut Smith.

The JV boys team was locked in a tight struggle all evening with the Polk JV boys team. The squads were tied at nine after a sluggish first quarter, with Polk County grabbing a narrow 20-17 lead after three quarters.

Avery battled back to tie the contest at 28 after three quarters, and a go-ahead jumper by Alex Villanueva in the closing seconds gave the Big Red the lead for good as they defeated Polk 46-43. Spencer Blackburn led Avery with 14 points, with eight from Alex Villanueva and six points apiece from Taylor Potter and Timmy Stewart.

The Lady Viking varsity girls team defeated the Lady Wolverines 78-61 on Monday night. The contest was close in much of the first half, but a 25-23 Avery lead changed in a hurry after a 14-2 run closed out the first half with the Big Red leading 39-25. Avery opened the second half continuing that spurt, outscoring Polk 11-3 in the first 2:30 of the third quarter to build a 50-28 advantage that they would never surrender.

Katie Ellis and Allison Vance each scored 18 in the victory, with Ellis adding 18 rebounds and Vance dishing four assists in the win. Samantha Shook added 12 points, three rebounds, and four assists, with 12 points and 8 rebounds from Katelynn Eudy.

In the night cap, the boys varsity team trailed by as many as 14 points in the first half, but staged a rally to narrow the score to 35-31 at halftime and 45-44 after three quarters. A scoring run by the Wolverines to open the fourth quarter put the game out of reach, however, as the Wolverines prevailed by a 74-58 final score.

Kody Hughes led the Vikings with 14 points and 11 rebounds in the loss, with ten points and seven rebounds from Dustin Clarke. Colton Blackburn scored nine points with nine rebounds, while Joey Potter added eight points.

Avery will host Mountain Heritage on Tuesday for Senior Night at Viking Gym. Lady Viking seniors Allison Vance, Samantha Shook, Katie Ellis, and Sara Singleton will be recognized, while varsity boys senior guard Jared Ward will be honored during the evening.