Eight is Great as Lady Vikings Soccer Blanks Madison

The second-ranked Avery High Lady Vikings soccer team improved to a perfect 8-0 record with a 9-0 blowout win over Madison at a breezy and cool (but dry) MacDonald Stadium Wednesday night.

In road blues, the Lady Patriots were soon singing the blues as the Lady Vikings took advantage of the home field, the enthusiastic fans and warmer weather to take control of the game.

In the fourth minute Emily Banner helped her defender get called for a handball for which the Lady Vikings were awarded a direct free kick from about 35 yards out. Midfielder Mary Chesnut Smith took the kick and sent it over the assembled defenders, placing it in the upper corner of the goal, well out of the keeper’s reach. Eleven minutes later Banner took a pass from stopper Katelynn Eudy and scored, making the score 2-0.

It took another fifteen minutes, at the 30 minute mark, for the next score. Banner once again was involved, as she headed the ball to forward Melinda Eggers who scored the third goal. Eggers returned the favor, assisting Smith on her second goal of the evening less than two minutes later. There were no more goals in the first half, making the halftime score 4-0.

In the second half, Banner took up where she left off, sending a corner kick into the front of the goal where Katelynn Eudy got into the action, taking a shot. Her shot rebounded off a Patriot defender and out of reach of the keeper for the fifth Avery goal of the night.

After the first couple scores, Coach Evaul substituted freely, getting all 17 players into the game. As the score mounted, he kept putting in more subs, but kept the defense intact.

Eight minutes into the second half, Elyse Perry sent a ball into the middle of the field at about the 18 yard line, where sophomore Arden Stanley, back in action after missing a week due to a concussion and with her back to the goal, took the ball in the air and sent it over her head, directly into the goal. The crowd and the team were all amazed at the shot. Stanley seemed a bit surprised too, when she turned to face the goal and saw her shot go in.

In the 55^th minute, Avery got another pair of goals, both assisted by Eggers. For the first, she took a cross and, realizing she didn’t have a shot, dropped the ball to Perry who shot and scored. Three minutes later, Eggers passed the ball to Smith for the next score, a hat trick for Mary Chesnut. Coach Evaul promptly took her out of the game, as he didn’t want to run the score up.

All of the starters took turns sitting on the bench and when they returned, they were in different positions. Even the defense, who has already earned four shut-outs, were moved around on the field or taken out.

The front line was all newer members of the team, including freshmen Savannah Perry and Chelsy Huffman. First-time soccer player, sophomore Evie Blacka, was also in the action and everyone was cheering wildly as they moved the ball and took shots.

Sophomore Hannah Washburn just started soccer as a freshman and junior Brooke Whittington had never played before this season. Juniors Cassie Bumgarner and Jennie Elrod, both having played some soccer before but not in several years, have started in several games this season.

In the 74^th minute of the game, Avery finished the scoring like it started the night. Huffman was fouled and Avery was awarded a free kick, again about 35 yards out, and again, Smith, back in the game on the back line, took the shot. Once again, a well-placed kick was out of the keeper’s reach and scored.

Avery took 25 shots in the first half, scoring on four of them. The Patriot keeper saved four and the remainder were off target. Madison took three shots, with keeper Mercedes Bentley earning one save in the half. The Patriots took more shots in the second half, shooting ten in all, with six going wide and Bentley saving four.

The Lady Vikings took 23 shots in the second half, scored on five and the Madison keeper had one save.

The Lady Vikings are out-of-action for over a week, with Easter and the originally scheduled Spring Break next week. The following week the Lady Vikings have 3 games, all at home in the friendly confines of MacDonald Stadium at 6 pm.

On Monday, April 12^th the Mitchell Mountaineers will travel to Newland, while on Wednesday, April 14^th the Warlassies of Owen will come up the mountain to Avery for a conference match.

Friday, April 16^th, High Country non-conference rival Ashe County will visit. Avery is now 8-0 on the season and 5-0 in conference play. Also atop the conference standings is newcomer Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy. The two schools haven’t played yet as their first game was called at game time due to a solid blanket of snow covering the field.
(Thanks to Serena Smith for information used in compiling this report.)

Second-Ranked Lady Vikings Remain Unbeaten

The Avery Lady Vikings soccer team keeps rolling along and adding to the win column in impressive fashion. Over the past week Avery faced a trio of tough opponents, mowing down each one and gaining notice from observers around North Carolina.

Following its snow-out against Thomas Jefferson, the Avery Lady Vikings returned to the pitch last Thursday afternoon at MacDonald Stadium with a highly-anticipated matchup with perennial 1A soccer power Hendersonville.

Avery held home-field advantage, but the Lady Bearcats seized momentum quickly in the match with a goal in the match's seventh minute to take a 1-0 lead.

In the final minute of the opening half, Emily Banner sent a cross pass in the front of goal where teammate Elyse Perry chipped a shot by the keeper to knot the score at 1-1.

At the half, the team was given the opportunity to discuss amongst themselves what strategy would work best for the second half. The coaches followed up the player input with emphasis on good first touches and the need to be more aggressive to the ball.

The coaches noted that Hendersonville's players were beating the Vikings to the ball and Avery was more reactive than proactive. Fine tuning the goals for the second half a bit further, Lady Vikings head coach Tom Evaul pointed out that their best player was their sweeper and therefore the Lady Vikings needed to bring the ball up the outside. Defensively the team opted to keep the ball away from the center of the field and work the wide sides of the field.

Throughout the game, the Lady Bearcats had several shots on goal which were just off, hitting the crossbar and coming back into play. Fortunately, the Vikings were able to clear the rebounds.

The Lady Bearcats outshot the Lady Vikings, especially in the second half, but most of their 20 shots on goal were wide, with keeper Mercedes Bentley coming up with a key save. Bentley had a solid effort in goal to help keep the Lady Vikings in the match. Avery had 13 shots on goal with eight saved by the Bearcat keeper.

Late in the game as the sky got darker and more threatening, it appeared that the coaches were going to have to decide on whether to play overtime or not. However, with twenty seconds left in the game, Cassie Bumgarner sent a ball forward to Banner, who scored the go-ahead goal for the Lady Vikings. Avery's defense stood tall in for the remainder of the match to take the well-earned 2-1 win.

For the Big Red, it was the first win against Hendersonville, who joined the Western Highlands Conference in 2005. The Lady Vikings move to 5-0 on the season, with a perfect 3-0 record in conference play.

On Friday the team traveled to Gamewell to take on the West Caldwell Lady Warriors. Despite a damp, muddy, and small field, the Big Red persevered by pitching another shutout in a 3-0 whitewash.

The Lady Vikings got on the scoreboard in the 14th minute with an unassisted goal by Mary Chesnut Smith. Avery’s players and coaches quickly recognized from the outset of the match that Lady Warriors keeper’s goal kicks were not strong and positioned themselves to win the ball off the goal kick. Smith took a goal kick and returned it to the goal for a score.

In the 21^st minute Emily Banner took the free kick following a West Caldwell foul and placed it in perfect position for teammate Melinda Eggers to outrace the keeper for the ball and put it in for the Vikings’ second tally of the contest.

Avery received a little help from its opponent on the team’s final score of the match. Midway through the second half, Banner sent the ball into the area in front of the goal, hoping a teammate would score off of it. Instead, a Warrior defender got to the ball first but was unable to control it, inadvertently netting an own-goal for the Vikings.

As a result of controlling the match, the entire Avery bench, with the exception of an injured Arden Stanley, was able to get some playing time.

The Lady Vikings took 28 shots in the first half and 12 in the second.

Avery was successful in picking up the win, but the coaches were unhappy with the team because they caused the Lady Warriors keeper to look really good. She had 24 saves on the night compared to two first half saves for Avery keeper Mercedes Bentley.

With the Lady Vikings earning wins in their first six matches, the team shot up the state 1A soccer rankings this past week from sixth to second, quite possibly the highest state ranking by any Avery sports team in school history during a season.

On Monday night, Avery head coach Tom Evaul shared the news of the ranking with his team in hopes that it might be additional motivation against an old familiar foe in the Polk County Lady Wolverines.

"The coaching staff is extremely proud of the girls and what they are accomplishing thus far. Their ranking is higher than I would have expected, but we're proud that the state recognizes their potential and gives them credit for doing what they have done so far," Avery head soccer coach Tom Evaul said. "It puts more pressure on the girls, but I believe they are handling it well right now."

Polk has defeated Avery in the opening round of the state playoffs the pest three seasons, and the Big Red was looking for revenge. With a late goal Avery achieved its objective of finally defeating the Lady Wolverines, capturing a narrow 3-2 win to remain unbeaten on the season.

During warm-ups prior to the match, two Vikings beaten up from previous games were re-taped and padded to protect and to make more comfortable a twisted ankle and bad bruises. This concerned the coaches as the players involved were very key players. Tough as nails, they played the whole game, even though further adjustments had to be made at half.

Monday’s match was a seesaw affair, as the two teams played to a virtual standoff. In the 15^th minute of play, the Lady Vikings struck first when junior forward Melinda Eggers forwarded the ball to junior Mary Chesnut Smith. Smith, playing forward at the time, sent a shot by the Wolverine keeper for the first goal of the match.

Nine minutes later Polk picked up the equalizer, as senior Anna Trakas, the Most Valuable Player from Polk’s state title team a season ago, scored to knot the match at 1-1.

The tie was short lived, as in the 26th minute junior Emily Banner got the ball to senior Elyse Perry, who blistered a shot into the goal with such force that the keeper could not corral the ball before it crossed the goal line for Avery’s second goal.

Polk showed the heart of a champion, however, as ten minutes later Trakas struck again to tie the match at 2-2 at intermission.

Polk had a slight edge with shots on goal in an exciting first half, and the Lady Wolverines had two corner kicks to Avery’s one.

In the second half Avery dominated the game more than in the first, although the Avery coaches were concerned about the tiredness and injuries of the players and whether they could continue to hold the Wolverines at bay.

Polk played aggressively but Avery was equal to the task by hanging in, reacting rather than dictating play. Avery’s sideline was not looking forward to a potential overtime with Polk as neither team could net a go-ahead goal. Avery was getting shots on goal, out-shooting Polk 19-9 in the second half. Viking junior keeper Mercedes Bentley was able to make several great saves, but the Polk keeper did not have to stop any crucial shots, as Avery’s attempts missed the goal face.

As the half reached its final minute, an Avery drive to the goal went out-of-bounds over the end line. The ball was last touched by a Polk player to give Avery its first corner kick of the second half.

Smith insisted that junior Katelynn Eudy take the shot, and even though she was reluctant, not having taken one before, she did. With only 12 seconds left in the game, Eudy quickly took the corner kick placing the ball in front of the goal, practically on top of Smith’s head. Smith met the ball, heading it in for the go-ahead and winning goal with just 4.1 seconds remaining in the match. Polk barely had time to get the ball in play as the clock had 4.1 seconds left on it after the score.The coaches were excited with the win, the team’s second last-minute win in three matches.

"The past three games have been a real challenge to the character of the team, and they have stepped up to the plate. Although right now we aren't playing at the skill level that I know they are capable of playing at, the girls are playing with a lot of heart and determination which has been what has carried us through these past tough games," Avery head soccer coach Tom Evaul remarked after the week's action. "Right now we have been dealing with injuries to five of our key players and sickness with two others, but none of these girls have let the pain or discomfort interfere with their will to win."

Avery improves its mark to a perfect 7-0 and 4-0 in Western Highlands Conference competition. The team’s next match is a home game Wednesday, March 31^st against Madison before a brief game hiatus for spring break.

Middle School Athletes Pump Iron with Viking Strength and Conditioning Program

Editor’s Note: This is the first of a series of stories on the Avery High School weight and conditioning program, leading up to the beginning of spring practice on May 10^th.

For the first time in recent memory, Avery High School’s football program is partnering with students from the county’s two middle schools to help football players prepare for the fall season through conditioning and weight training.

The program, taking place on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school, is open to any middle school student wishing to take advantage of the high school weight room facility while under the supervision of Avery High football coaches Steve Milligan and Trevor Shields.

“This has been going really well for us. Coach Brewer has been having some of his junior varsity and varsity players in his weight training class and has been working extremely hard. We’ve brought the middle school students over to the high school on Tuesday and Thursday after school because NCHSAA rules prohibit our junior varsity and varsity players from being with them,” Avery associate head coach Steve Milligan said last week. “We’ve got on average anywhere from 20 to 25 kids here and they’re working pretty hard.”

In addition to the veteran coaches, the middle school student-athletes learn the nuances and proper technique of weight training from Trevor Shields, former Avery Vikings football player whose commitment to weight training and on-field ability afforded him an opportunity to play football at the collegiate level.

“These guys have a great work ethic. We have a lot of kids who work well with one another. Nobody thinks they’re better than anyone else and they all work hard. A couple of kids haven’t lifted before, but we’re working with them and they are coming along really well,” Shields said as he observed the student workouts. “I like the idea of the kids lifting with other at their comparable skill and weight level, but I wouldn’t mind them lifting with older players, like the junior varsity players, so they can get adjusted to working with the older kids and future teammates and see them lifting the heavier weights. Everything we do starts in the weight room.”

The program, while helping students understand the commitment needed to prepare for football at the high school level, teaches kids the importance of teamwork, technique, and the desire to work hard to achieve one’s goals.

“I’m thrilled to have the middle school players come up to the high school to work out. They are putting a lot of effort in and it’s paying off,” Avery head football coach Darrell Brewer said. “It warms my heart to walk in the weight room on those days and see the number of kids from the middle schools that we have who are coming.”

For the students themselves, it is an opportunity to become acquainted with the high school football program and routine, and also to come together and build camaraderie and teamwork, things that in years past has not generally occurred until late in the summer or at the beginning of their freshman year at Avery High.

“I can’t wait until the end of the school day to get to the high school and lift weights. I feel a lot more stronger and more fit than when I began,” Cranberry Middle School football player Cody Clawson said during a workout last week at the high school. “It really helps us to get ready, and we get to work out with friends and get to know each other better and get ready to win a state championship.”

“It’s really helpful to get to work out with the coaches. I know it’s going to help us when we get into practice,” Avery Middle School football player Scott Wiseman added. “The high school coaches being here to take time out to work with us means a lot. Weight training helps us get in shape for the season and gets us prepared.”

Middle school athletes who want to take part in the weight training program are welcome to do so, and can simply contact their middle school football coach, Avery head coach Darrell Brewer, Coach Steve Milligan, or any other member of the Viking coaching staff.

“When we met with the middle schools, we had around 40 students show interest in the weight and conditioning program. We have seen around 25 who have committed to coming,” Coach Milligan said. “We provide bus transportation from the middle schools for any kid that wants to join us.”

Summer workout conditioning program begins June 7^th, and will take place on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday afternoons from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Half the team will work out in the weight room while the other half will work on the field, with the groups trading stations midway through each day’s session.

Avery Prep Sports Roundup

TRACK AND FIELD
The Avery High School track and field team made the trip off the hill to Black Mountain to compete in a conference meet at Owen High School.

Several area schools competed in the event, including Patton, Mitchell, Cherokee, McDowell, Thomas Jefferson, and host Owen.

A number of Viking athletes performed exceptionally at Thursday’s event. On the boys side, Alex Villanueva continued a strong spring season, placing second overall in the high jump with a distance of 5’11”, only one inch shy of qualifying for state competition. Alex also captured fourth place in the 300 meter hurdles. In the 400 meter run, Andy Gonzalez brought home a third place finish.

Viking senior Kyle Griewisch made an impression during the event, recording a personal record in capturing a second place finish in the 100 meter dash, while the men’s 4x100-meter relay team, racing with Dustin Clark as the anchor in the place of an injured Hunter Shields, had a strong showing with a fourth place finish overall.

For the girls, a number of performances stood out. Caroline Crenshaw qualified for the state track and field championships, placing second with a strong time in the 300 meter hurdles, and brought home third place in the 200 meter dash event, just two seconds shy from qualifying for the state meet in that event.

Coming off a tremendous basketball season, Sara Wiseman competed in the discus and brought home third place in that event.

Overall the team continues to improve with additional practice time outdoors and events to participate in.

“The kids are running fantastic. At Owen the track is made with concrete, so the kids ran with street sneakers rather than spikes,” Avery track coach Cary Dominguez said after the meet. “We have a good chance to take quite a few kids to the state meet this season. We have a great group of kids who get along and are bonding as a team.”

Winter weather has hindered all the Viking spring sports, but the track and field group seems to have rebounded quickly from the adverse conditions that hindered their preparations.

“A lot of our students are coming from sports during the winter season and are in pretty good physical shape to start our season,” Coach Dominguez said. “They’re not in total track shape because you use a different set of muscles than with the winter sports, but those athletes are in a better position than the students who haven’t participated in a fall or winter sport leading up to track season.”

The track team will next compete on April 13^th at North Buncombe High School.

GOLF
The Avery men’s golf team has been taking its swings on the course as the weather has improved. On Thursday the team competed at Black Mountain Golf Course.

In the team competition the Mitchell Mountaineers took home top honors with a score of 323. Avery came home in fourth place with a score of 367, ahead of both Mountain Heritage and Madison.

Avery individual scorers were topped by Chase Watson, who carded an 81. Morgan Johnson scored a 92, with a 96 from Shea Buchanan. Vikings Ethan Buchanan and Hunter Gossett shot 98, with a 104 from Sam Hicks for the 18-hole event.

Low individual scorer for the day was posted by Mitchell’s Thomas Buchanan, who fired a 73. Wiekus Tolles of Hendersonville shot 75, with a 79 from Owen’s Chandler Carlton.

“Chase Watson, our senior team captain, is playing ten strokes better than last year at this time. His 81 equaled his best round last season, and I fully expect him to be shooting in the mid-70s by April,” Avery golf coach Boe Barinowski said after last week’s action. “Sophomore Morgan Johnson is playing at the same level he finished at last year. Our average team score is right at 370, which again is where we finished last season and 20 strokes ahead where we were at this point a year ago. Freshman Shea Buchanan and first-year player Dylan Aldridge each are showing marked improvement as they grow more accustomed to playing from blue tees and in front of others, respectively.”

The golf team competed at Hendersonville early this week, as well as in a two-team scrimmage with Mitchell at Old Linville Golf Club this past Tuesday. A full report on these events and the week’s additional tournaments can be found in next week’s edition.

Avery Softball Drops Pair to Hendersonville, Polk; Junior Varsity Earns First Win of Season

The 2010 Avery Lady Vikings softball team continues to experience its share of growing pains as the early season progresses.

Last week the varsity team fell in a pair of tough challenges in road games at Hendersonville and at Polk County.

On Tuesday, March 23^rd the Lady Vikings squads traveled to Hendersonville to take on the Lady Bearcats in a varsity-only matchup of winless squads. The two teams played a close contest through four frames as Hendersonville held a narrow 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the fifth, however, the Lady Bearcats heated up and tallied nine runs to upend Avery by a 10-0 final score.

Becca Biggerstaff surrendered only one hit through her first four innings of work before Hendersonville put its rally together.

“We played really well defensively over the first four innings. The wheels kind of fell off a little bit there in the fifth inning,” Lady Vikings head softball coach Stephen Bunger said after the contest. “We struggled at the plate and we’re working to correct that.”

The scheduled Friday contest in Columbus between Avery and Polk County was moved to Thursday over weather concerns. Despite the change of day, the Lady Vikings’ luck did not, as Polk County’s pitching trio of Jamie Hrobak, Yancey Pace, and Alyssa Montgomery combined to pitch five innings of no-hit ball in an 11-0 Lady Wolverine varsity victory.

Avery starter Becca Biggerstaff pitched well despite the loss, giving up only six hits in the contest.

The Lady Wolverines scored five runs in the bottom of the first inning, and added five additional runs in the bottom of the second inning to take control of the contest.

“We still struggled to hit the ball against Polk. We’re giving up a lot of early runs and are playing from behind too much,” Coach Bunger added. “We’re having some mental lapses and hurting ourselves more than anything else.”

In the junior varsity contest, the Lady Vikings earned their first win of the season, defeating the Polk JV club by a 12-10 final score.

“The girls played really well and showed a lot of character and heart. They got in a tough spot in the fifth inning when Polk made a comeback, but I was proud of how they were able to hold on and get the win,” Coach Bunger said following the win. “We ran the bases well, hit the ball well, and played a good defensive game.”

Brittany Brewer stepped in the circle for the Big Red and was the game’s winning pitcher.

A number of Lady Vikings had good hitting days at the plate, including catcher Charley Puckett with a pair of hits, two runs scored by Gibson Slomkoski, and hits from Jordan Reep, Sara Carter, Nikki Wright, and Serena Ramos.

“Our girls ran the bases well and were patient at the plate to work several walks,’ Coach Bunger stated.

Avery will travel to Mountain Heritage on Thursday afternoon

Around the Diamond

It was a tough week for the county's middle school “base runners,” who played some of the best teams in their respective conferences and finished with no wins.

As the weather warms and the players get more practice and game experience, opponents could be seeing a better Avery and Cranberry.

Avery baseball
The brightest spot of the week, though a loss, came with the Avery baseball team Monday, in their 2-0 loss hosting Cane River.

Ty Polsgrove did very well, pitching the entire seven innings and allowing no earned runs.
Pitching was great also in Friday's game, a 4-0 loss to Harris at Mine Creek, as Chance Watson and Ty Polsgrove together allowed no earned runs. Watson, Polsgrove, and Daniel Childress all got action in two games last week.

The other games last week were a 14-0 loss to Cane River in Burnsville on Tuesday, and a 13-1 home loss to East Yancey Thursday (called in the fifth inning due to rain).

Though the runs have been few, Avery is hitting better and avoiding strikeouts more than earlier this season. "We're definitely progressing at the plate," said Coach Donnie Johnson.

On defense, the Panthers have been dealing with errors. "We're treading water as far as fielding goes," he said. Avery will next host Harris on Wednesday, April 7 at 4 p.m.

Cranberry baseball
Cranberry's team, meanwhile, had a bigger loss on Monday. The East Yancey Rebels got a 17-1
victory in Newland.

They're the best team in the conference, coach Philip Greene said, but he believes his team should have competed better than they did. "It probably should have been 5-1," said Greene. "I know we made at least six or seven errors."

The lone score came from Gabe Stanley. Greene was insistent that the game was not an embarrassment.

"I don't think my team has anything to be embarrassed about," he said. "They [the Rebels] are the kind of team that takes advantage of mistakes. They took advantage of every error we had, and scored at least one or two runs off the errors each time. I think it's a learning experience. This is our worst game of the year, and I'm glad it came against the best team."

Austin Daniels started the game, giving up only two earned runs. Sam Atcheson-Adams also pitched, and Jeremiah Vance pitched one batter and struck him out.

Greene said he would focus on fundamentals of the game and mental awareness in practice, and work on situational drills, in preparation for the rematch. "The last thing they see was a team that fell apart," said Greene. "I don't think we make the same mistake again."

Cranberry will also play on Thursday, hosting Cane River at 4 p.m. After that, the next game is Wednesday, April 7, at 4 p.m., a home game against Harris.

Avery softball
The Avery softball team also played the best team in its conference Monday. That team, Cane River, won the game 10-0.

Last week, Avery played and lost 16-1 against the same Lady Rebels team in Burnsville. They also lost to East Yancey in Newland on Thursday, and 15-5 at Harris on Friday.

The girls' fielding has been good, Coach Chris Lecka said; hitting has been the weak spot. "We're going to work on that in practice," he said. "We're putting the ball in play, but we're not getting a lot of hits."

About pitching, Lecka said: "It's a work in progress. The more we get outside, the better it's getting."

Ashlie Yoder pitched Monday's game. Shannon Smith and Morgan Lecka pitched Tuesday and Thursday's games, and all three pitched in Friday's game. Avery plays next on Wednesday, April 7, hosting Harris at 4:00 p.m.

Cranberry softball
Cranberry's girls had no games last week, and began this week with a 15-0 loss (in 3 innings) to East Yancey in Newland on Monday. Emily Brown pitched Monday's game.

"We had a hard time with pitching today," said Coach Angel Dugger. "We had a lot of walks."

The girls didn't make it on base during the game, having a few hits that were thrown out at first base. But only two girls didn't connect with the ball at the plate, said Dugger.

Bethany Clawson had "an awesome game" as hind-catcher, Dugger said.

Cranberry is scheduled to host Cane River on Thursday at 4:00 p.m.

Avery Baseball Falls to Conference Foes; Uses Long Ball to Defeat Highlanders

The Avery baseball teams made up for lost time on the field with multiple games last week. On Tuesday the Vikings traveled to Hendersonville for a varsity-only contest against the Bearcats and lost by a final score of 10-0 in five innings.

Hendersonville jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first inning with a seven-run outburst. Avery managed only two hits in the contest, a lead-off single by center fielder Danny Cole and a double by starting pitcher Daniel Huff in the top of the fourth.

The Bearcats tacked on a pair of runs in both the second and third innings to shore up the victory.

Despite the defeat, Avery still showed signs of improvement. The offense recorded less strikeouts than in previous contests and will show more marked development as the season continues.

“Right now we’re making progressions at the plate. We’re not striking out as much which is huge for us,” Avery head baseball coach Benny Wellborn said after the game. “Eventually we’re going to start having balls that we hit fall for us and we’ll start reaching base more.”

On Friday the Vikings traveled to take on defending Western Highlands Conference champion Polk County.

The afternoon began with the junior varsity contest, where the Wolverines handed Avery a 15-1 defeat.

Avery picked up its lone run in the top of the fourth inning when an RBI single from Dustin Clark plated teammate Bennett Sweat. Dillon Nelson started on the mound for the Vikings, while Sweat came on in relief to close out the contest.

“We started out with a good couple of innings, and we struggled a little with our pitching. I take some responsibility as I have been working so much with the players on hitting that the pitching aspect might not be as strong,” Avery junior varsity head coach Samuel Phillips said after the contest. “Putting a whole game together is what we’re lacking right now, to be able to work together from start to finish in the game. The players are responding to me and listening as a team. We’re improving, but there definitely are areas we can work on and get better.”

Following the JV action and before the varsity teams took the field, the team was dealt a hard blow when starting left fielder Remington Austin was hit in the eye before the game by a baseball that ricocheted inside the batting cage where he was pitching for batting practice.

The accident proved a bad harbinger of things to come, as Polk County shut out the Vikings by a 17-0 final score in five innings.

Polk drew first blood in the bottom of the first frame with three runs to take a 3-0 lead. Wolverine starter Brandon Jolley held Avery hitless until a Luke Pittman single in the top of the third broke the ice.

Avery starter Daniel Huff held Polk scoreless in the second, retiring the Wolverines in order. In the bottom of the third inning, however, Polk exploded for 11 runs, highlighted by a three-run home run by first baseman Tyler Philpott off Avery relief pitching.

The Vikings could only manage to advance one player to second base over the course of the game as Polk was dominant in all phases of the contest. One of the few bright spots for the Big Red occurred in the bottom of the fourth inning when shortstop C.J. Vance made a diving catch with his back to home plate on a pop fly in short center field.

“Tonight C.J. Vance made one of the greatest catches I’ve ever seen in a high school game,” Coach Benny Wellborn said after the game.

Despite the lopsided score, the Avery head coach sees much potential and encouraging signs from his ball club despite the hard times the team has already faced thus far this season.

“These guys have had to play through a lot of adversity. It’s been the weather and one thing after another. Our player getting injured affected our focus, but the kids didn’t quit,” Coach Wellborn said. “Not to make excuses, but it’s been the toughest season I can think of weather-wise. But we’ve been dealing with the hand dealt to us and we’re working on areas of the game one step at a time. As long as we can do that, we’ll continue to progress.”

Avery saw firsthand the fruits of its labor on a cold and rainy Monday evening with a non-conference trip to Roan Mountain to take on the Cloudland Highlanders. Avery built an early lead and held off a late ‘Lander rally to earn an 8-3 victory.

Senior Steven Daniels started on the mound for the Vikings and pitched a solid 6 and 1/3 innings. Daniels ran into a spot of trouble in the bottom of the seventh, but Dustin Childress came in out of the bullpen to work the final 2/3 scoreless innings.

The Vikings opened the game strong with three runs in the top of the first inning to take an early lead. Ethan Sluder singled, followed up by a Daniel Huff RBI double. Daniels followed with an RBI single and scored on a hit from Jared Clark.

Daniels helped his own cause later in the game with a towering home run to right field. Also going deep for the Vikings was lead-off hitter Danny Cole, who parked a pitch over the left field fence for a two-run homer in the top of the fourth inning.

“We had to wait for an hour on umpires, the field was wet and it was a cold rain, but give the kids credit where it’s due for hanging in there. It’s like Dustin Childress, who sat in the cold rain for two hours on the bench and was called on to come into the game. We were in a situation where the game could get ugly, and he stepped up and finished the game for us,” Coach Wellborn stated. “It was awesome to see how everybody stayed in the ball game. This was probably the best Cloudland team that I have coached against, and their pitcher was pretty good. We made some adjustments and were able to get a few hits off him. This was something the kids needed tonight.”

Avery’s conference game at Madison earlier this week was postponed, but the Vikings will continue conference play with a game at Mountain Heritage on Thursday.

Tournament Time for Parks and Recreation's Bo Kilgore Basketball League

Avery Parks and Recreation held the final games of its season-ending basketball tournaments for the Bo Kilgore League (2nd-8th grade) on Saturday, March 27.

Many parents and fans came out to the Rock Gym and to the Newland Elementary gym to cheer on the teams.

Participating in this year's league were 244 students 2nd through 8th grade comprising 31 teams, said Robbie Willis, Parks and Recreation director. That's up about 15 from last year.

It was the first year the league fell solely under the responsibility of the Parks and Recreation department. The league has retained the Bo Kilgore moniker, named for the man who helped to organize youth basketball in Avery County and coached as well. Other than schedule issues rising from winter weather, things have gone smoothly this season.

"It's been great," said Willis. "It's been better than expected."

Here were the winners from Saturday's action, as well as the runners-up (coaches in parentheses):

Girls:
2^nd-3^rd grade: Winner: Riverside (Nadine Arnold). 2nd: Crossnore II (Adrian Crowe).
4^th-5^th grade: Winner: Banner Elk (Art Williamson). 2nd: Crossnore II (Joanna Garland).
6^th-8^th grade: Winner: Avery II (Tammy Daniels). 2nd: Avery I (Ashley Bare)

Boys:
2^nd-3^rd grade: Winner: Riverside (Teddy Johnson). 2^nd: Freedom Trail I (Jack Pittman).
4^th-5^th grade: Winner: Freedom Trail II (Stephanie Pritchard). 2^nd: Riverside (Teddy Johnson).
6^th-8^th grade: Winner: Avery I (Jeff Lyons). 2nd: Cranberry (Chase Clark).

Avery Lady Vikings Soccer Ranked 2nd in Latest State Coaches Poll

The Avery Lady Vikings soccer team has reached new heights this season. Off to an undefeated start at 7-0, with a 4-0 conference record that boasts wins over both Hendersonville and Polk, Avery has vaulted from #7 to #2 in the latest 1A state girls soccer poll. Avery is ranked only behind the top-ranked NC School of Science and Math in Durham.

Avery proved the worth of its ranking this past week, garnering victories at home against Hendersonville, on the road at West Caldwell, and its first-ever road win at Polk County last night.

The Lady Vikings will host Madison on Wednesday evening before a hiatus leading to their next matchup vs. Mitchell on April 12th.