By RODNEY YOUNG
NRVSports.net
The Fort Chiswell Pioneers played their district rivals Grayson County Friday at Pulaski County High School in a Class 1 Region C Semi-final game. They would jump out to an early lead and win 66-52, advancing to the Region Championship game.
The Pioneers (21-5) got a game-high 39 points from sophomore Owen Jackson. Kenton Sutphin had nine, and Eli Eversole scored eight points. Sutphin scored seven of his nine points in the second half, and Jackson had 21 of his points at intermission. Jackson not only scored 39 points, he also had eight rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Grayson County (14-7) was led by Maverik Goad’s 22 points and Ben Hill’s 13.
Fort Chiswell jumped out to a 14-10 first-quarter lead. They would then outscore the Blue Devils 19-4 in the second period to take a commanding 33-14 halftime advantage.
Grayson County would then have its best quarter of the game, putting up 21 points in the third as they held Fort Chiswell to 12. Their deficit was 45-35 going into the final stanza. They would cut the deficit to just five, 48-43, with five minutes remaining.
The Pioneers would then get a huge three from Landon Eversole, a defensive stop, and an Owen Jackson bucket to move their lead back to 10, 53-43.
“I thought we got a big three from Eversole (Landon) and a bucket from Owen (Jackson) that helped turn the momentum back to us,” said Fort Chiswell head coach Derrick Jackson. “Our third quarter wasn’t the best. It’s tough to beat a team four times in a season. I’m proud of our guys cause we’ve had some flu problems the last few days.” Coach Jackson then remarked, “Grayson kept coming at us; they didn’t lay down.”
The other semi-final game saw the Parry McCluer Blues defeat the Auburn Eagles 75-58. McCluer led from start to finish with guard Langston Cook knocking down 25 points and Nathan Glass scoring 24 in the victory. Jamier Jordan chipped in with nine.
Auburn (13-11) got 22 points from Cody Fleet and 17 from Matthew Altizer in a losing effort. Cameron Branch scored nine.
Parry McCluer (22-3) was up 23-8 after the opening quarter and 45-31 at intermission. Cook had 17 of his points in the first half, while Glass had 16 of his at intermission.
Fort Chiswell – 14 19 12 21- 66
Grayson Co. – 10 4 21 17- 52
Scoring – Fort Chiswell – Jackson 39, Sutphin 9, E. Eversole 8, L. Eversole 7, Armbrister 3, Grayson – Mav. Goad 22, Hill 13, Mak. Goad 6, Dowell 5, Davis 4, Weatherman 2
3- PT. Goals – FC – 8 ( Jackson 6, L. Eversole, Sutphin), Grayson – 6 ( Hill 3, Mak. Goad 2, Mav. Goad)
Total FG’s – Fort Chiswell – 22, Grayson – 21
FT’s – Fort Chiswell – 14-23, Grayson – 4-8
Total Fouls – Fort Chiswell – 18, Grayson – 16
Fouled Out– Grayson – Weatherman
Technicals– None
