Category: High School

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Capturing three of the top four spots in the Women’s 50 free helped the Watauga women’s team to a commanding win in the Northwestern 6A/7A Conference Swimming Championships on Jan. 21, with the conference’s most robust roster rolling up 359 team points vs. 238 by second place South Caldwell and 208 for third place Freedom.

South Caldwell and Watauga traded places in the Men’s team competition, the Spartans securing a narrow 281-271 win over the Pioneers. Freedom was third at 208 points.

WOMEN’S HIGHLIGHTS

In the Women’s 50 Free, Watauga senior Athena Elliott swam the distance in 25.68, almost a second ahead of teammate Merritt Powell as the runner-up (26.47) and South Caldwell’s third-place finisher, Chloe Bolick (26.63). For the conference meet, only the top three swimmers in an individual event earn team points, so Watauga’s Tessa Buchanan brought home an important fourth place finish in 26.80. The Pioneers’ Macie Kent finished as the No. 5 athlete, non-scoring, in 27.38.

Watauga’s quartet of Addie Wilson, Buchanan, Ayla Crawley and Elliott opened the meet with a win in the Women’s 200 Medley Relay, in 1:54.12 vs. 1:57.65 posted by the South Caldwell team of Bolick, Hannah Wasson, Peyton Felts, and Kyra Westerfield.

St. Stephens’ Addie Brabandt captured the Women’s 200 Free, finishing in 2:02.88, a little more than five seconds ahead of Watauga’s Chessy Martin (2:07.99). The Pioneers’ Amelia Bennett and Vivi Vannoy also picked up valuable team points in the event, finishing No. 5 and No. 6, respectively.

South Caldwell’s Felts cruised to No. 1 in the Women’s 200 Individual Medley (2:11.27), well ahead of the Pioneers’ Wilson at No. 2 (2:19.69), with Freedom’s Lucy Jones well back as the No. 3 finisher in 2:32.93. Watauga freshman Ellie Staeheli finished No. 6 to pick up some more team points for the Pioneers.

Felts of South Caldwell nosed out Watauga’s Elliott in the Women’s 100 Butterfly event, 58.19 to 1:00.00. Pioneer freshman Vivian Vallecillo was 12 seconds further back to capture the No. 3 spot and in a thrilling finish, Watauga sophomore Isadora McCracken (1:19.40) was out-touched by Freedom’s Neyli Lopez-Rodriguez (1:19.30) for the No. 6 and No. 7 team points.

Roster depth again proved fruitful for the Pioneers in the Women’s 100 Free, with a trio of underclassmen leading the way in capturing three of the top five finishes. Crawley, still a freshman, took No. 1 (57.20) ahead of Alexander Central’s Reese Sturgill (No. 2, 57.71), while another Pioneer freshman, Powell, was No. 3 at 59.51. Vannoy earned the final Pioneer team points in the event in finishing No. 5 (1:06.38).

In the Women’s 500-Yard Freestyle, Watauga’s Wilson, Martin and Staeheli gutted out the longer distance for the No. 1 (5:27.71, No. 3 and No. 4 finishes. St. Stephens’ Brabandt broke up the Pioneer sweep in finishing No. 2 (5:28.53).

The Pioneers picked up another 32 team points by finishing No. 1 in the Women’s 200-Yard Freestyle Relay, with Buchanan, Powell, Wilson and Elliott topping the field in 1:47.33, well ahead of No. 2 St. Stephens (1:55.95).

Watauga again took three of the top five places in the Women’s 100 Backstroke, with freshman Crawley (1:03.16) edging South Caldwell’s Bolick (103.66). The Pioneers’ Kent was No. 3 (1:09.62), followed by Freedom’s Gracie Farris at No. 4 (1:13.57) and Watauga junior Amelia Bennett at No. 5 (1:13.71).

Alexander Central’s Sturgill (1:13.08) tapped out Watauga’s Buchanan (1:14.27)  for top honors in the Women’s 100-Yard Breaststroke. South Caldwell picked up valuable team points with Spartan athletes taking three of the next four spots, with Wasson (1:14.31) going No. 3, just a fraction behind No. 2 Buchanan. More Watauga team points were picked up by Ireland Laxton at No. 8 and Grace Lesesne at No. 9.

The final women’s event, the Women’s 400-Yard Free Relay was a thriller, with Watauga’s foursome of Kent, Powell, Crawley and Martin (3:57.78) edging out South Caldwell’s Felts, Wasson, Bolick and Westerfield (3:58.58).

The final Women’s Division team scores:

1. Watauga 359
2. South Caldwell 238
3. Freedom 194
4. St. Stephens 189
5. Alexander Central 120
6. McDowell 27

MEN’S DIVISION HIGHLIGHTS

Eventual team champion in the Men’s Division, South Caldwell started off on the right foot, so to speak, by capturing the Men’s 200-Yard Medley Relay. The Spartan quartet of Owen Griffith, Mason Hubbard, Max Clark and Nate Hall churned to the No. 1 finish in 1:48.17, well ahead of Freedom’s No. 2 foursome of Sean Causby, Braden Cullen, Nicholas Chiota and Rex Jones in 1:51.31. Watauga was No. 3 (1:59.63) thanks to the efforts of Andrew Larson, Aiden Culpepper, Stacy Eggers and Philly Fredenburg.

St. Stephens’ Logan Kelly (1:43.23) found himself on the top of the podium in the Men’s 200-Yard Free with Freedom’s Chiota at No. 2 (1:55.65), both well ahead of a Pioneer duo at No. 3 and No. 4, Eggers (2:02.29) and Culpepper (2:13.38), respectively.

The Pioneers didn’t get their first Men’s Division No. 1 finish until Event 6, the Men’s 200-Yard Individual Medley, where sophomore Lanson Gilbert (2:09.54) swamped the field. McDowell’s Kai Ly was No. 2 (2:17.22), followed by St. Stephens’ Gunner Smith at No. 3 (2:21.14).

In the Men’s 50 Free, South Caldwell’s Griffith put down a sizzling 21.72 to take the conference championship, followed by McDowell’s Smith Owens (23.11) and Watauga’s Silas Powell (23.36).

The Spartans’ Griffith became a double winner by taking the Men’s 100-Yard Butterfly (52.67), almost five seconds ahead of Watauga’s Michael Makdad at No. 2 (57.26). St. Stephens’ Smith was a distant No. 3 at 1:01.62.

In the Men’s 100 Free, the excitement came down to the No. 2 and No. 3 finish, where McDowell’s Owens (No. 2, 51.30) was a fraction faster than Watauga’s Powell (No. 3, 51.72). St. Stephens’ Logan Kelly raced to a blistering No. 1 finish in 46.37.

Watauga dominated the longer distance, Men’s 500 Free event in going 1-2 with Gilbert winning in 5:19.21, followed by Eggers at No. 2, in 5:41.17.

That Pioneer duo wasted little time in helping Watauga to even more team points as part of the Men’s 200 Freestyle Relay, along with Makdad and Powell swimming the other two relay legs. Watauga’s winning time was 1:35.63. Freedom’s quartet of Chiota, Braden Cullen, Causby and Jeffrey Gomez-Andres was No. 2 (1:39.87).

Watauga picked up valuable team points in the Men’s 100-Yard Backstroke, with Culpepper at No. 3 (1:04.33), Larson at No. 4 (1:13.27) and freshman Sam Cheves at No. 6 (1:22.53). The class of the field though was No. 1 Causby of Freedom, the only swimmer under a minute at 59.96, followed by No. 2 Clark of South Caldwell (1:01.22).

The Men’s 100-Yard Breastsroke was another thriller, with Watauga’s Makdad (1:04.58) finishing a mustache ahead of McDowell’s Ly (1:04.77). Freedom’s Cullen was well off the winners’ pace at No. 3 (1:10.54).

In the final Men’s Division event of the night, the Men’s 400-Yard Free Relay, Watauga closed the gap on final team champion South Caldwell when the Pioneer foursome of Culpepper, Makdad, Powell and Gilbert (3:32.81) finished less than a fingernail ahead of the Spartans’ Hall, Ethan Haas, Clark and Griffith (3:32.87).

The final Men’s Division team scores:

1. South Caldwell 281
2. Watauga 271
3. Freedom 208
4. St. Stephens 172
5. Alexander Central 101
6. McDowell 52

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — There is strength in numbers when it comes to competitive team swimming and Watauga demonstrated just that on Jan. 14 against University Christian and Ashe County at the Watauga County Parks and Recreation Center.

A good example: the Pioneers swept the first ten places in the Women’s 50 Free and the first six spots in the Men’s 50 Free. The women were led by No. 1 Athena Elliott (senior, 26.01), No. 2 Merritt Powell (freshman, 26.90) and No. 3 Chessy Martin (sophomore, 27.32).

In the Men’s 50 Free, the Pioneers were championed by No. 1 Lanson Gilbert (sophomore, 22.55), No. 2 Silas Powell (senior, 23.57) and No. 3 Aiden Culpepper (freshman, 26.35).

While Watauga celebrated Senior Night with 18 graduating seniors, including six on the men’s side led by consistently strong performers Silas Powell and Michael Makdad, one of the up and comers for the Pioneers is Culpepper, the freshman, who added an individual No. 1 finish in the Men’s 200 Free with a 31 second gap to the No. 2 finisher, as well as competed in two No. 1 relays. He led off the Men’s 200 Freestyle Relay that also included Powell, Makdad and Gilbert, then led off the last race of the night, the Men’s 400 Freestyle Relay, passing the baton to Stacy Eggers, Powell, and Gilbert to finish a full 15 seconds ahead of No. 2 University Christian.

The strength in numbers theme played itself out in other events, too. For example, Watauga captured six of the top seven places in the Women’s 100 Breaststroke, led by No. 1 Addie Wilson (junior, 1:16.49) and No. 2 Zoe Critcher (junior, 1:25.04).

Late in the evening (Event 17), Watauga again sported strong numbers by capturing the top five spots in the Women’s 200 Freestyle Relay, an event that featured 10 relay teams, eight of which were representing the Pioneers — or 24 swimmers in all competing in just that one event.

Watauga head coach David Gragg seemed happy with the performance in spite of the team challenges.

“Overall, we had a pretty good night.  The team has been battling illness and studying for exams, so it has been a tough week,” said Gragg. “Add in a quick turnaround from the meet on Saturday (Jan. 10), and I thought we had some good swims tonight. 

“I split up several of the relays just to see what we could do if we needed to make changes during the next few weeks,” Gragg shared.”  Some went over well, others not as much.  Heading into the conference meet, I feel the women have a strong chance to defend their title.  We have a lot of depth other teams are not as fortunate to have. 

“The men will have a tougher challenge since our numbers are somewhat limited,” the longtime Pioneer head coach added. “We are fortunate that several of our athletes are on the local club team and their Senior level coach, Ashley Turak, was an All-American swimmer at Indiana.  She has picked up their training and worked them hard the past few months.  If the team can get — or stay — healthy, that will benefit us a lot as we head into the next competitions.”

TEAM SCORES – MEN

• Watauga 75, University Christian 61
• Watauga 86, Ashe County 9
• University Christian 92, Ashe County 15

TEAM SCORES – WOMEN

• Watauga 113, University Christian 44
• Watauga 127, Ashe County 11
• University Christian 92, Ashe County 15

FULL RESULTS

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Down by 17 points entering the fourth quarter, Watauga rallied behind suddenly hot shooting by guards Cade Keller and Jackson Love to narrow the deficit to just a single point — but couldn’t quite complete the comeback in losing to South Caldwell, 70-63, on Jan. 13 in Lentz Eggers Gym.

Turnovers plagued the Pioneers throughout the contest but especially in the first three quarters, including missed layups as well as 3-point attempts gone awry and ball-handling miscues.

Meanwhile, visiting South Caldwell was getting good production from a quartet of Spartans. Gavin Frasure and Colby Greene led a second quarter SC surge that put the visitors ahead, 38-32, by intermission. They finished the game with 20 and 26 points, respectively, while Carter Anderson (9 points) and Sam Keaton (10) had critical contributions.

Keller scored 16 of his team-high 22 points and Love added 9 of his 13 total points in the fourth quarter to fuel the Pioneer rally.

Watauga (8-5 overall, 0-2 in Northwestern Conference play) will try to return to its winning ways on Friday, Jan. 16, at Alexander Central, in Taylorsville. The Cougars sport a 10-5 overall record, 2-0 in NWC play, after road wins at St. Stephens (73-54) and McDowell (72-69).

South Caldwell is now 11-5 overall and 1-1 in conference play. The Spartans return home to host Freedom on Jan. 16.

SELECTED WATAUGA PERFORMERS

• Cade Keller: 22 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals
• Jackson Love: 13 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal
• Cole Lewis: 12 points, 4 rebounds
• Evam Burroughs: 6 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals
• Eli Bishop: 4 points, 1 assist, 1 steal
• Brady Lindenmuth: 5 rebounds, 1 blocked shot

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — For the second Northwestern Conference game in a row, Watauga women’s basketball rolled decisive over an opponent, this time with a resounding, 58-33 domination of longtime rival, South Caldwell.

The Pioneers used a pesky, pressing defense to create Spartan turnovers, then capitalized on the offensive end.

On this night, it was Izzy Torgerson’s turn to lead the way in scoring for Watauga, finishing the night with 15 points, leading a trio of Pioneers in double figures with Izzy Mohr (13 points) and Josey Mayo (12) not far behind. Mia Mitchell came off the bench to add seven points to the Pioneer onslaught.

Watauga jumped out in front, 17-10, by the end of the first quarter and kept piling it on by outscoring South Caldwell, 20-5, in the second period to lead 42-15 going into intermission.

Watauga (8-7 overall, 2-0 in Northwestern Conference play) next travels to Taylorsville to face Alexander Central (13-2, 1-1) on Friday, Jan. 16. The Cougars defeated St. Stephens (61-29) on Jan. 9 before falling to the Northwestern Conference’s lone 7A entry, McDowell, 54-41, on Jan. 13.

LEADING SCORERS

• WAT – Izzy Torgerson (15 points)
• WAT – Izzy Mohr (13)
• WAT – Josie Mayo (12)
• SC – Emma Bumgarner (12)
• SC – Maggie Wilks (10)
• WAT – Mia Mitchell (7)

By David Rogers. MORGANTON, N.C. — With five Pioneer players at or near double figures in scoring, Watauga overcame a sluggish first quarter to win going away against host Freedom on Jan. 9, 61-39.

With plenty of fans in attendance supporting both schools for the season opening conference game of 2025-26, it was a high energy, even raucous atmosphere.

The Pioneers jumped ahead 5-0 to start the game but Freedom came roaring back to lead 15-11 at the end of the first quarter. With a Presli Wood layup midway through the second quarter, Watauga recaptured the lead at 27-26, then went on a 6-2 run to close out the first half with a 33-28 lead.

Although the Pioneers’ freshman playmaker Josie Mayo was relatively quiet to start the game and off the mark, she quietly rallied to score a game-high 16 points. The Pioneers’ Charlie Mattox came off the bench to add 12 points while Izzy Mohr and Shelby Thompson were close to double figures, each contributing nine points.

Whatever adjustments head coach Bill Torgerson made for the Pioneers at intermission, the Patriots had no answers. Watauga went on a 14-0 run to start the second half and never looked back.

Now 7-7 on the season, overall, and 1-0 in Northwestern Conference play, the Watauga women’s basketball team will next host South Caldwell on Jan. 13.

SELECTED WATAUGA SCORING

• Josie Mayo, 16 points
• Charlie Mattox, 12
• Izzy Mohr, 9
• Shelby Thompson, 9
• Mia Mitchell, 8
• Presli Wood, 4
• Ellie Hege, 4

BONUS PHOTOS (Click any image for larger version and Slide Show Mode)

By David Rogers. MORGANTON, N.C. — A bizarre post-game incident involving fans that drew an estimated two dozen Burke County sheriff’s deputies and Morganton police officers to Freedom High School’s gymnasium and campus grounds overshadowed a dramatic basketball finish and a heartbreak loss (67-65) for Watauga High School’s varsity men’s team on Jan. 9.

BONUS PHOTOS at bottom of story.

Watauga held a 10-point lead early in the third quarter but the host Patriots rallied with pesky defense and sure-handed shooting to gain control and earn a 6-point advantage late in the final period. It was a phase of the game also marked by the Pioneers’ shooting suddenly grown cold, often rushing shots, with frequent turnovers.

At the end, with under two seconds remaining, Watauga senior Jackson Love had what seemed to be a clean look for a layup from the right side that would tie the game and send it into overtime — but a brilliant play to block by Freedom junior Jaden Watkins, an athletic 6-3 forward, instead sent the ball sailing out of bounds with 0.8 seconds remaining on the game clock and the Pioneers still facing the 2-point deficit. Throwing in from the baseline with Freedom’s towering, 6-7 forward Nate Surrat defending the inbounded pass, the Watauga throw-in was forced long and time expired before a shot could be taken.

“Freedom’s basketball team was very well coached and everything that happened on the court during the game was clean and competitive,” said Watauga head coach Bryson Payne by email in response to High Country Sports’ questions. “I thought our guys played well for the most part except for that 4-5 minute segment in the 3rd quarter. During that run, we beat ourselves by turning the ball over and taking a few quick shots. That allowed Freedom to get back in the game and take the lead through points in transition off our mistakes. But I am still proud of the way we battled. We were basically 1-2 shots away from winning or going into overtime against one of our toughest conference opponents. And that was on the road. I thought we did a lot of things well, but we still have a lot to improve on to reach our full potential as a team.”

In spite of the loss, Payne had high praise for a trio of Pioneers.

Notes on the Aftermath

It was a heartbreaking loss for Watauga and a thrilling victory for Freedom in the teams’ first Northwestern Conference game of the 2025-26 season, but all emotions stemming from the game were cast aside in the aftermath.

Several students from the Watauga fan section were streaming towards an alternative exit near the locker rooms when a woman from the nearby Freedom grandstands struck one of the Watauga students on his back and head with a chair, reportedly unprovoked, just outside the gym. No injuries were immediately reported, but reports surfaced that “… a gun was pulled…” by a Freedom bystander during the melee. Apparently, those unconfirmed reports were enough to call in a brigade of sheriff’s deputies and police officers. Neither head coaches nor any players were available for post-game comments as they were confined to the teams’ respective locker rooms awaiting police escorts to their departing vehicles or team buses.

Additional Notes: We have intentionally not identified any students by name to protect their privacy as minors. This story has been corrected to reflect that the incident happened just outside the gym, not inside the gym, and the students had reportedly received instructions to use an alternative exit, not the main entrance. In addition, another Watauga student was allegedly assaulted and choked by another bystander, who reportedly thought the student was filming the incident and/or the woman’s subsequent apprehension. There has been no confirmation that a gun was involved, but the unconfirmed reports or suspicions of one remain the most likely explanation for the call for so many additional law enforcement personnel, as well as the initiatives taken promptly by school administrators in coordination with law enforcement to protect the respective teams by delaying their exits from the locker rooms, awaiting police escorts. Casting doubt on a gun being present is that all fans are screened for weapons of any kind before entering the gym.

Again, we are awaiting an official statement from the Burke County Sheriff for any further clarifications of the incident.

The Burke County Sheriff’s Department lieutenant in charge of the scene declined to provide an official statement of what transpired, saying simply, “The Sheriff won’t allow me to.”

The unidentified woman was observed, restrained with her hands cuffed behind her back, speaking with a deputy before being transferred from one patrol car to another, presumably for transport to the Sheriff’s station. After reviewing the Burke County Sheriff’s Office website of people currently in jail, there is no mention of anyone matching the woman’s description in custody. There was also no one listed as in jail on a gun charge.

High Country Sports will update the information about this incident after attempting to speak with Burke County Sheriff Robert “Banks” Hinceman, as identified on the department website, on Monday.

Getting back to basketball, Watauga will try and put the gut-wrenching loss behind them as well as the brouhaha when they face Northern Guilford on Saturday, Jan. 10, at 5:30 p.m. in another non-conference matchup.

SELECTED WATAUGA INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCES @ FREEDOM

• Cade Keller: 18 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
• Evan Burroughs: 15 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals
• Brady Lindenmuth: 7 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 blocked shot
• Bowen Mayo: 9 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block
• Jackson Love: 10 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal

BONUS PHOTOS (Click on any image for larger view and Slide Show Mode)

All images by David Rogers for High Country Sports

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — There weren’t too many bright spots in Watauga’s first conference wrestling dual vs. St. Stephens on Jan. 6, the veteran Indians team leaving Lentz Eggers Gym with a decisive, 66-9 team win.

Arguably the brightest match of the evening for the Pioneers was Mikey Portante’s pin of Saint Stephens’ Davis Kerns at the 4:53 mark. Portante seemed in control for the better part of the match, punctuated by a resounding upending of Kerns in the late going of the 190 lb. weight class.

The only other points earned by the Pioneers was at 144 lbs., with Beattie Hendley pulling off a 9-6 decision over the Indians’ Benry Odom.

FULL RESULTS

• 106: Tommy Kishpaugh (SSHS) win by forfeit
• 113: Henry Franklin (SSHS) p. Canaan Woodring 1:17
• 120: Zane Taylor (SSHS) win by forfeit
• 126: Malachai Esclamado (SSHS) p. Justice Hendley 2:39
• 132: Koen Killian (SSHS) p. Thaddeus Martin 0:53
• 138: Alexander Stewart (SSHS) p. Bennett Ward 2:45
• 144: Beattie Hendley (WHS) SV D. Carson Powell 9-6
• 150: Atticus Lail (SSHS) p. Benry Odom (WHS) 0:36
• 157: Jacob Morgan (SSHS) d. Cole Kleman 6-4
• 165: Jake Hoke (SSHS) d. Michael Morgan 20-13
• 175: Nathan Moretz (SSHS) forfeit
• 190: Mikey Portante (WHS) p. Davis Kerns 4:53
• 215: Avery Rhymer (SSHS) forfeit
• 285: Davante Johnson (SSHS) p. Cayman Hayes 1:04

Portante leads a Pioneer roster that is reportedly up to 35 athletes competing for spots in the various weight classes. Nonetheless, on this night Watauga was unable to field grapplers in four weight classes, including 106 lbs., 120 lbs., 175 lbs, and 215 lbs.

After the match, Pioneer head coach Terreyl Williams was proud of the effort put in by all of his wrestlers, acknowledged that he is still missing some athletes at certain weights, and said the team is still building its identity.

When asked by High Country Sports about the fast-growing Watauga middle school program, which earlier in the evening defeated Avery County, 52-33, Williams broke into a big grin, noting that middle school head coach Zack Strickland was previously the Watauga High School team’s head coach.

“To have him back (coaching) down there (at the middle school level) is pretty awesome,” said Williams. “He’s got about 45 kids already, so he is really growing that program. He is doing a phenomenal job and that is going to do nothing but help us (at the high school level) in the future.”

Watauga’s wrestlers will next host Freedom in another Northwestern Conference tilt on Friday, Jan. 9, in Lentz Eggers Gym.

BONUS PHOTOS (Click any image for larger view and Slide Show Mode)

All photographic images by David Rogers for High Country Sports

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Even though the final score may have been lopsided, the Dec. 27 high school varsity basketball tilt between Watauga and Saluda (SC) may well prove to be one of the most entertaining of the year: fast-paced, high pressure defense, and plenty of offensive action with the Pioneers earning the 91-61 win in the first round of the 2025 Holiday Classic at Lentz Eggers Gym.

This  was a game featuring focal point players on both sides, offensively. Watauga’s Cade Keller poured in a game-high 45 points on the night, almost half of the Pioneers’ total, while Saluda’s C.J. Springs countered with a team-high 36 points — more than half of the Tigers’ offensive output.

There were two key difference-makers:[1] Keller had a more productive supporting cast and [2] the Pioneers’ pesky defensive play, particularly in the second half.

Watauga’s secondary offensive output came from Jackson Love’s 17 points, as well as key contributions from Bowen Mayo (7) and Bryce Scheffler (6).

The Pioneers’ defense produced a whopping 15 steals, including Brady Lindenmuth (4), Mayo (3) and two each by Wit Williamson and Evan Burroughs.

Defensively, the Pioneers were also active on the boards, with a team total of 50 rebounds, 33 of which were on the defensive end to deny the Tigers of second chance opportunities. Love pulled down a leading nine rebounds, with a trio of Pioneers cleaning the glass seven times each, including Williamson, Keller and Burroughs. Scheffler and Lindenmuth added 6 and 5 rebounds, respectively.

If there was a dark spot on Watauga’s team performance against Saluda, it was the number of turnovers (18), although that might be expected in such a fast-paced contest. Nonetheless, an overall pleased Pioneer head coach Bryson Payne said later, “We have to clean those up.”

Next up for Watauga is a second round matchup in the winner’s bracket, a Dec. 29 game vs. Apex Friendship, which ran past South Iredell, 88-53, in the first round. Both teams are undefeated in the young, 2025-26 season, AF at 12-0 and the Pioneers at 6-0. Tipoff in Lentz Eggers Gym is slated for 6:30 p.m.

KEY PERFORMERS

• WAT – Cade Keller: 45 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 deflections
• WAT – Jackson Love: 17 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal
• WAT – Bowen Mayo: 7 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals, 2 deflections
• WAT – Bryce Scheffler: 6 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
• WAT – Wit Williamson: 5 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 2 deflections
• WAT – Jaden McInnis: 4 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal
• WAT – Evan Burroughs: 3 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 deflection
• WAT – Eli Bishop: 2 points, 2 rebounds
• WAT – Cole Lewis: 2 points, 2 rebounds
• WAT – Brady Lindenmuth: 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals, 1 deflection
• WAT – Mason Tate: 1 rebound, 1 steal, 2 blocks

BONUS PHOTOS