.jpg)
The Parry McCluer High School girls basketball team is hoping that an experienced roster is ready to make another deep postseason run this winter.
The Fighting Blues return four starters and six total players from a squad that finished 22-3 overall last year, winning the Pioneer District regular-season and tournament titles for the third consecutive season and advancing to the Region 1C semifinals. Several of those Blues were also part of PM’s trip to the Class 1 state semifinals in 2022.
“We have kids who have been a part of and experienced winning a region title and playing in a final four two seasons ago,” said Adam Gilbert, who’s beginning his 14th season as head coach. “I have seen tremendous growth out of this group.”
While the Blues lost just one starter from last year’s team, that absence will certainly be noticeable: gone is Anna Claytor, who scored 1,174 points and logged over 500 rebounds during her PM career. Claytor, who is now competing for Southern Virginia University, was the 2022-23 district player of the year and a two-time all-state selection.
Gilbert and his squad understand that no individual player is expected to fill the 6-foot-1inch Claytor’s shoes.
“I don’t think one person can replace what Anna brought to the table for us in terms of her size, athletic ability and overall basketball skill set,” the PM coach said. “It will be a complete team effort, as it always is for us.”
A pair of seniors – and returning starters – helms the Blues’ roster. Addisen Roberts will run the point for PM; in addition to directing the offense and playing solid defense, the Blues will look for her to provide an increased scoring punch. Fellow senior Payton Emore’s athletic ability and physical toughness allow her to play multiple positions, and she’s added a midrange game to her arsenal.
Junior Victoria Hamilton has seen significant minutes across her first two years at the varsity level, and she can score both on the interior and from the perimeter. Classmate Natalie Mohler is the final returning starter, combining a good outside shot with a knack for making the right pass.
Fellow juniors Tatyana Turner and Peira Conner are also back in the fold. Turner was a key scoring option off the bench last year, and the Blues will call upon her on the defensive end as well. Meanwhile, having spent a season practicing alongside Claytor should prepare Conner for increased minutes in the frontcourt.
Three newcomers round out the Blues. Junior Kyleigh Ramsey will be a physical presence on the inside, giving PM a boost on defense and on the glass. Sophomore Kayleigh Ramsey will swing between the guard and forward spots and is a solid shooter, while freshman Emory Slagle can hit outside and midrange jumpers and will see time at guard.
Beyond the active roster, PM’s entire coaching staff consists of former Blues who played for Gilbert. Katie Claytor and Maggie Patterson will serve as varsity assistants, with Ashley Loughhead directing the junior varsity team and Katy Scott in charge of the middle school squad.
The Blues’ nondistrict schedule features plenty of tough opponents. For its ninth annual Jaden Baker Tournament next Friday and Saturday, Dec. 8 and 9, PM welcomes in defending Class 1 state champion Rappahannock County and Class 3 school Northside.
The Blues will challenge themselves with some out-of-state competition in the Smoky Mountain Christmas Classic in Gatlinburg, Tenn., from Dec. 20-22, and the schedule also features the usual home-and-home series with county rival Rockbridge County, another Class 3 program, on Dec. 27 at RC and on Jan. 6 at PM.
Last season’s Pioneer District race came down to PM and Eastern Montgomery. The squads ended up facing each other four times – including a first-place playoff and the tournament championship, both won by the Blues – but the Mustangs were decimated by graduation. Instead, Gilbert expects PM to be pushed by improving Narrows and Craig County teams as the Blues seek their fourth straight district title.
“I think we have a chance to be successful in our district this season,” Gilbert said. “We will have our work cut out for us, but I’m hoping our kids are prepared and ready to meet the challenges that await them.”
PM’s large cadre of returnees will have an extra bit of motivation after falling just short of the state tournament last year. With a Class 1 berth on the line, the Blues suffered a hardfought 54-50 loss to Fort Chiswell in the Region 1C semifinals at Pulaski County.
“We didn’t get to our ultimate goal last year, but I saw great improvement throughout the course of the season,” Gilbert said. “This group has worked hard this summer, and hopefully they will continue to grow as the season progresses.”
The Blues were slated to kick off their schedule at home against Altavista on Monday evening. The Jaden Baker Tournament, which also features RC, is set for next Friday and Saturday, Dec. 8 and 9, and PM will open up district play at Narrows on Wednesday, Dec. 13, starting with JV action at 5:30 p.m.
