Girls' High School Basketball: Warriors Stop Bobcats' Dream Season

Radford Mounts Comeback but Falls Short  

SALTVILLE – As the old saying goes, all good things must come to an end. Such was the case on Friday, when the Radford girls' basketball team fell to Hogoheegee District champions Chilhowie, 47-42, to end their fantastic season.

Prior to the game, six Bobcats had come down with an illness, one of which put junior Maryah Sydnor in the hospital. Despite being sick, Radford would try to brave their conditions and advance to the Region C final.

However, coach Kevin Conner believes that these illnesses affected his strategy more than his player’s abilities.

“It changed how I wanted to do things,” Conner said. “Our plan from the start was to pressure them and play man-to-man. I was worried about my girls and I didn’t think they would be able to do it. So I tried to save them. It didn’t affect my girls. It affected me and I let them down. I didn’t trust their heart, their character, and I didn’t challenge them enough. The bug affected how I coached.”

The Bobcats struggled to get baskets all game long and were down 12 points entering the final quarter. Chilhowie’s lead would eventually grow to 16 in the final 2:44, but Radford felt a sense of urgency.

Senior Bobcat Pip Pattison would draw a charge on Chilhowie’s Krystal Patten, who scored a game-high 24 points. That would be her fifth foul and the Bobcats would look to capitalize.

“She [Patten] is an unbelievable player,” Conner said. “I thought that was a turning point for them. We were trying to draw some charges on her and get some fouls here and there, but they were all borderline. I thought the game was well-called. If we could have gotten the fifth one on her sooner, and we tried, then we might have won. They had other girls step up and make free throws. I turned them loose a little too late. This one is on me.”

Without Patten’s ball-handling ability, the Warriors struggled to in-bound the ball. That led to five turnovers and quick-scoring opportunities.

Pattison, Sydnor, and Rachel Wright used those opportunities and clawed in the final minutes, realizing they had to score and get steals in order to win. The trio scored the final 16 points of the game for Radford.

“We just showed a lot of heart and character,” Conner said. “I think they got to a point where they cut it loose. It got to a point where the girls decided they weren’t going to lose the game.”

Those scores cut the game to three points, 45-42, with just under a minute remaining. The Bobcats would not get a steal on the in-bounds, so they fouled, sending Chilhowie’s Nicole Mooney to the line. She would miss the first attempt, but was able to knock in the second.

Down 46-42 and realizing they needed a three, Pattison passed to Sydnor in the corner on the next Bobcat possession. However, her three-point shot would roll around inside the rim and back out. Radford would foul Mooney again with just under 14 seconds remaining. Once again, she made one of her two attempts.

A final opportunity to get a three from Sydnor would by blocked by Heather Hash of Chilhowie. That sealed the game and a second state championship appearance in three seasons for the Warriors. Chilhowie advances to the Region C final, where they meet Glenvar. The Highlanders upset top-ranked Floyd earlier in the night.

The Bobcats finish their season with a 21-3 record and were Three Rivers District tournament champions. After the game, Conner reflected on his team and their tremendous season.

“We have a wonderful group of girls,” Conner said. “These seniors I have are great leaders and Maryah [Sydnor] is a great leader. The young ones came on too. This is just one loss. We had a wonderful year. Only one team goes on at the end of the regular season to get a win.

“Was it disappointing for us? Yes, but we swept Carroll County and they [are] in the AA State quarterfinals. We beat Floyd County two-out-of-three times and they are one of the top programs in the state. We won two-out-of-three against Glenvar and they are in the A State quarterfinals. I couldn’t ask for more than what I got out of those young ladies right there. I would lose with that bunch right there every game than win with anyone else.”

By CODY DALTON
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