Avery’s junior varsity basketball teams managed to dodge the snowflakes enough to finish up its regular season schedule last week. The Lady Vikings played only one contest, defeating a pesky Mitchell Lady Mountaineers club, while the junior varsity boys came up short in home contests against both JV Girls
The Avery Lady Vikings capped off yet another undefeated conference season last Friday night, using a strong defensive effort to defeat the Mitchell Lady Mountaineers 39-23.
Head coach Pat Daniels gave the starting nod to his sophomore players in their final home contest at the junior varsity level, recognizing the effort and hard work of those players over the past two seasons.
Avery led by only three points after one quarter at 9-6, and used a 10-3 point differential in the second stanza to pull ahead by a 19-9 score at halftime.
After a subpar effort by Lady Viking standards in the first two quarters, the Big Red poured it on in the second half. Using its press defense to create turnovers, Avery scored on multiple possessions in transition. The defense held Mitchell to only three points in the quarter as the Lady Vikings pulled away to a 29-12 lead.
Three point baskets from Kelsie Clarke and Megan Dellinger in the final quarter helped keep Mitchell at bay. The Lady Mountaineers cut the lead to around ten early in the quarter, but Avery made the necessary plays on both ends of the floor to defeat Mitchell by a 16-point margin.
“We had a rough start, and we had to talk to the girls about stepping up with their press. They improved the press and we picked up a few steals and layups to get things going,” Lady Vikings assistant coach Amber Young said after the victory. “We had some trouble rebounding and boxing out, which let Mitchell get some offensive rebounds to help them stay in the game.”
Kelsie Clarke led the Avery attack with 13 points, four assists, and three steals. Johanna Pittman scored five points with six rebounds and four steals, with five points from Monica Estep.
“Johanna hustled a lot and was very aggressive for us making plays and getting rebounds when we needed them,” Coach Young said.
Due to the high number of varsity postponements throughout
the season, the conference has decided to cancel the JV conference tournaments originally slated to take place this week at JV Boys
Avery’s junior varsity boys squad played a pair of games last week, hosting
Avery battled hard but came up short in Monday’s loss to the Bearcats. The two teams played close through most of the first half.
The Vikings fought back to keep the lead at around ten points, but could get no closer as the Bearcats captured a 65-53 win over Avery.
“We did a good job for the most part. When we handled their press we were able to get layup opportunities and couldn’t convert. There were also times we let their press affect us, rushing our passes forcing turnovers. If we learn to take care of the basketball and be just a little more patient, we will win games,” Coach Reggie Oakes said after the game. “I feel if we knock down our high percentage looks, we have a chance to compete and win against anyone we play.”
In Friday’s regular season finale against the Mountaineers, Avery fell behind early and was unable to recover. Mitchell held a 16-9 advantage after one period and increased its margin to 25-16 at halftime behind the hot hand of John Spencer, who tallied 14 of the team’s first half total. Avery countered with seven first-half points from guard Shea Buchanan.
The Mountaineers gradually extended its advantage in the third quarter, outscoring the Big Red 11-6 to build a lead of double digits at 36-22. The two teams played evenly in the final stanza, with Mitchell taking a 44-30 road victory.
Dustin Clark paced the Vikings with 10 points, all coming in the second half. Buchanan finished the game with seven points, with five points from Bryce Pittman.“I thought the kids played very hard. The lack of practice time hurt us. We could have done things better offensively and hit shots that should have been made, but Mitch (Mitchell head coach Mitchell McKinney) always has his team prepared and they did a good job,” Coach Reggie Oakes said following the game. “Spencer really stepped up for them tonight. We contained him for the most part, but anytime you give him an open look, he’s gonna make it. Spencer was pretty much a man among boys tonight. But if we’re able to make some free throws and knock down shots, we come away with a win.”
Due to the high number of varsity postponements throughout the season, the conference has decided to cancel the JV conference tournaments originally slated to take place this week at
