Mitchell’s Cole Sparks puts up a jump shot as he’s defended by Madison’s Ryan Waliezer on Thursday, Jan. 21. (MNJ photo/Cory Spiers)
LEDGER — The Mitchell High School varsity girls’ basketball team keeps on rolling.
The Mountaineers (6-0) continued their unblemished start to the shortened season by earning a pair of double-digit wins over Madison and Smoky Mountain and a win over rival Mountain Heritage this past week.
In its game at Heritage on Tuesday, Jan. 19, the Mountaineers got off to a strong start and led 14-11 after one quarter. Mitchell pushed its lead to 25-21 at halftime and held off a strong fourth quarter comeback effort from the Cougars to win 50-46.
Senior Paige Johnson led the team with 12 points against Heritage. Fellow senior Jill Pittman tallied a team-high five assists and added nine points.
The offense kept rolling in Mitchell’s 56-24 win over visiting Madison On Thursday, Jan. 21.
Mitchell blitzed the Patriots and led 16-2 after one quarter. The hosts extended the lead to 36-7 at halftime, clearing the way for extended second half rest for multiple regular starters.
Johnson paced the Mountaineers again with a game-high 13 points. Senior Marley Cloer added 11 points.
The Mountaineers capped off their perfect week by downing visiting Smoky Mountain 65-40 on Saturday, Jan. 23.
The visitors led 11-10 after one quarter but Mitchell surged back into command by outscoring Smoky Mountain 23-8 in the second quarter.
The Mountaineers outscored Smoky Mountain 32-21 in the second half to cruise to the win.
Johnson’s 16 points were again a team-high and Pittman added 13 points and four assists. Sophomore Reagan Sparks had 13 points and a team-high seven rebounds.
The Mountaineers were scheduled to play at Polk County on Tuesday, Jan. 26. Results were not available at press time.
Mitchell is scheduled to host Avery County on Friday, Jan. 29 before welcoming Owen to Ledger on Tuesday, Feb. 2.
Boys’ basketball
After starting the season 0-4, the Mitchell High School varsity boy’s basketball team responded with back-to-back wins this past week to improve its record to 2-4.
The Mountaineers were edged 53-50 at Heritage on Tuesday, Jan. 19 despite 29 combined points from seniors Caius Arrington and Ty Pitman.
Mitchell got back on track against visiting Madison on Thursday, Jan. 21, beating the visitors 49-44 for the team’s first win of the season.
A strong fourth quarter, in which Mitchell outscored Madison 18-8, proved to be the difference.
Arrington led the way again with a game-high 31 points and 13 rebounds.
Mitchell earned another win on Saturday, Jan. 23 by beating visiting Smoky Mountain 62-42 behind 22 points from Arrington.
Ethan Willis and Jeremy Sparks chipped in 10 points each.