Ashe Mountain Times

Ashe County took Watauga High to the brink on Wednesday, Jan. 9 before the Pioneers finally eluded the pesky Huskies for a 43-32 win in West Jefferson. 

Early on, the Pioneers struggled to find any separation against their rivals, as the Huskies harassed, and at time befuddled, Watauga County's offense. 

Jordan Spell swished home a jump shot and then a 3-pointer, but after the first quarter the Pioneers still led 8-5 in what turned out to be a low scoring, but intense, affair. 

In the second quarter, the Pioneers appeared to be on track to opening the game up against Ashe after a layup gave Watauga the 11-5 advantage. 

The Huskies would trim the lead to four after a shot by Cullen Ashley found the bottom of the net. A put back by Ashley a few minutes later would slice Watauga's advantage to just one point before back-to-back baskets by Matthew Lee gave Ashe the 17-15 lead. 

Watauga, however, would steal back the lead as after a buzzer-beating layup restored the Pioneers one point advantage. 

Both teams traded the advantage back and forth in the third quarter. 

After Jonathan Cox knocked down a free throw, another 3-pointer by Spell gave Ashe the 22-19 lead early in the second half. 

Ashe County's lead would then grow to five moments later after another Ashley basket and an old fashioned three-point play by Seth Sheets. 

Watauga's bench and visitor section was later ignited by a convincing one-hand slam by the Pioneers to tie the game at 27. 

Watauga then outscored the Huskies 15-5 in the fourth quarter to finish off the Huskies.  

Ashe returns to action Friday night, on the road, against the West Wilkes Blackhawks.