Max Meadows…The Fort Chiswell junior varsity Lady Pioneers completed their season with a Mountain Empire District title. They defeated the Auburn Lady Eagles 35-30. It was head coach Rupert Hill’s fifth championship as the junior varsity Lady Pioneers’ head man.

The Pioneers finished the season with a 17-5 record and went 11-2 in Mountain Empire District play. The championship was Coach Hill’s 228 win as head coach. It was the third straight season they have made it to the title game.

Coach Hill remarked, “I’ve been blessed to have a solid group of girls to coach. I’m proud of this group. We played Auburn a couple- three weeks ago and were down by 23, but we came back to within five at their place but lost. This group then had to face Auburn for the championship and win. It was special.”

The Lady Pioneer team consists of eighth, ninth and tenth graders. They are Ashley Roarke, Sydney Underwood, Haley Smith, Siya Patel, Hunter Wimmer, Mackenzie Blair, Kelsey Patton, Tye Wolfe and Haley Warden.

Coach Hill said, “Roarke led the team in scoring as she averaged around 16 points per game. She is a pure shooter and Sydney was a leader as well. Haley Smith was very active on both the offensive and defensive end of the court. Haley is not only quick but she’s fast too.” Look for all three of those girls to compete for the varsity team next year for Coach Kristen Williams.

The varsity Lady Pioneers were young this past season and came together as the season went on and it looks as though some of these young junior varsity champion ladies are going to help in the future.