FINCASTLE – The Lord Botetourt girls clinched the Blue Ridge District regular season championship with wins over Staunton River and Alleghany last week, pushing their winning streak to 14 straight games. Botetourt has clinched a berth in the Region III, Division 4 tournament and will be the top seed in the BRD tournament next week.
The key game for LB was a 50-46 win over Staunton River in Daleville last week. The Eagles had an opportunity to tie for the district lead with a win, but Botetourt outscored the Eagles, 15-8, in the fourth quarter to race to the win and clinch a tie for the BRD season title.
After taking an early lead the Eagles rallied to tie the game, 24-24, at the half. Staunton River led by five in the fourth quarter before the Cavaliers made a run, tying the game on a layup by Kennedi VanRavestein. Meaghan Catron then hit four-of-four from the line for LB after the Cavs were three-for-11 from the stripe to that point.
“It was a really good game,” said LB coach Chuck Pound. “It was tight the whole way. I’m real proud of our girls, it might have been their best overall team effort.”
Catron had 17 points to lead the team and Emily Wampler had 14. Jade Lewis and VanRavestein had nine each and Jade and Kendra Wood had a dozen rebounds each.
That win put LB two games up on River with two to play, and the Cavaliers clinched the trophy Friday night with a 69-38 win at Alleghany. The Cavs started off slowly but freshman Tanner Price, just moved up from the jayvee team, sparked the team with back-to-back three-pointers as LB went on a 15-3 run to blow the game open.
Lewis finished with 21 points and 16 boards despite sitting out the fourth quarter. Wampler had 16 points and Emily and VanRavestein had seven assists each.
Seniors Lewis and Emilee Loop were to be honored on “Senior Night” this Tuesday as the Cavaliers played host to Northside for their final regular season game. The district tournament will begin at the sites of the third and fourth seeds next Monday, with the top two seeds, LB and Staunton River, getting a bye. The tournament then moves to Northside for Tuesday’s second round and the championship will be held in conjunction with the boys’ championship on February 17 at Rockbridge County High.