Lady Cougars win WHC Tourney-Host West Caldwell in first round game
In what started out as a chance to face off against the only team that had beaten them this season in Western Highlands Conference regular season play, the Lady Cougar’s shot at a rematch with Avery County never materialized in the WHC Tournament this past week at Mitchell High.
Instead Mountain Heritage took out their frustrations on Madison in the tourney finals on Friday night after the Lady Patriots upset #1 seed Avery County in the semi-final round.
After dominating their opponents in the opening rounds of the tournament in Ledger, the Lady Cougars had to work hard to take home the tournament championship with a 59-49 win over the Patriots.
Heritage, as they have done all season long, bolted to a sizable lead in the first four minutes of the game. But the Lady Patriots, who topped the Lady Vikings by four points to earn a shot at the title, hit the boards and were able to trim the Cougar lead to 11-10 after the first seven minutes of play.
The Lady Cougars constructed a seven point cushion by half time and held on down the stretch with clutch free throw shooting by Nyssa Freeman, Destiny Elkins, Kaylon Johnson and Samm Chandler after Coach Susie Shelton had spread the floor with around four minutes left and forced Madison to chase the basketball and foul.
Tournament MVP Samm Chandler led the way for the Lady Cougars with 24 points. Nyssa Freeman was second with 15 points and Destiny Elkins had 11.
Joining Chandler on the All-Tournament team for Heritage were Nyssa freeman and Destiny Elkins while other selections included: Bailey Loven and Lexi Ammonds of Madison, Victoria Bennett of Thomas Jefferson, Hayley Knapp of Polk County, Alyssa Hensley of Owen, Hayley Woody of Avery County, Alayah Waddel of Hendersonville and Faith Bailey of Mitchell.
The Lady Cougars' ultimate show of dominance came in the opening round game with #7 seed Thomas Jefferson. Heritage cruised to a 61-24 win as Samm Chandler led the scoring barrage with 19 points, followed by Kaylon Johnson with 15 and Destiny Elkins with 12.
In what at times looked more like a football game than a basketball contest, the Lady Cougars fought and scrapped their way to a 52-40 win over Owen in the tournament’s semi-final round.
The Lady Cougars found their offensive groove in the first quarter with 17 points as they jumped to six point lead after the first eight minutes and in spite of some very physical play by the Warlassie defense in the second half, the Lady Cougars were never in any serious danger in the 11 point victory.
Samm Chandler again led the scoring charge with 19 points while Kaylon Johnson chipped in 11 and Destiny Elkins added 9.
Mountain Heritage (23-2) will begin their quest for a NCHSAA 2A basketball title this week when they host West Caldwell at 6 p.m. on Monday. Show your support for the Lady Cougars who have represented Yancey County with pride and determination this season as WHC champions.
By David Grindstaff
david@wkyk.com
yanceysports.com
In what started out as a chance to face off against the only team that had beaten them this season in Western Highlands Conference regular season play, the Lady Cougar’s shot at a rematch with Avery County never materialized in the WHC Tournament this past week at Mitchell High.
Instead Mountain Heritage took out their frustrations on Madison in the tourney finals on Friday night after the Lady Patriots upset #1 seed Avery County in the semi-final round.
After dominating their opponents in the opening rounds of the tournament in Ledger, the Lady Cougars had to work hard to take home the tournament championship with a 59-49 win over the Patriots.
Heritage, as they have done all season long, bolted to a sizable lead in the first four minutes of the game. But the Lady Patriots, who topped the Lady Vikings by four points to earn a shot at the title, hit the boards and were able to trim the Cougar lead to 11-10 after the first seven minutes of play.
The Lady Cougars constructed a seven point cushion by half time and held on down the stretch with clutch free throw shooting by Nyssa Freeman, Destiny Elkins, Kaylon Johnson and Samm Chandler after Coach Susie Shelton had spread the floor with around four minutes left and forced Madison to chase the basketball and foul.
Tournament MVP Samm Chandler led the way for the Lady Cougars with 24 points. Nyssa Freeman was second with 15 points and Destiny Elkins had 11.
Joining Chandler on the All-Tournament team for Heritage were Nyssa freeman and Destiny Elkins while other selections included: Bailey Loven and Lexi Ammonds of Madison, Victoria Bennett of Thomas Jefferson, Hayley Knapp of Polk County, Alyssa Hensley of Owen, Hayley Woody of Avery County, Alayah Waddel of Hendersonville and Faith Bailey of Mitchell.
The Lady Cougars' ultimate show of dominance came in the opening round game with #7 seed Thomas Jefferson. Heritage cruised to a 61-24 win as Samm Chandler led the scoring barrage with 19 points, followed by Kaylon Johnson with 15 and Destiny Elkins with 12.
In what at times looked more like a football game than a basketball contest, the Lady Cougars fought and scrapped their way to a 52-40 win over Owen in the tournament’s semi-final round.
The Lady Cougars found their offensive groove in the first quarter with 17 points as they jumped to six point lead after the first eight minutes and in spite of some very physical play by the Warlassie defense in the second half, the Lady Cougars were never in any serious danger in the 11 point victory.
Samm Chandler again led the scoring charge with 19 points while Kaylon Johnson chipped in 11 and Destiny Elkins added 9.
Mountain Heritage (23-2) will begin their quest for a NCHSAA 2A basketball title this week when they host West Caldwell at 6 p.m. on Monday. Show your support for the Lady Cougars who have represented Yancey County with pride and determination this season as WHC champions.
By David Grindstaff
david@wkyk.com
yanceysports.com
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