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Friday, Feb. 24 – A remarkable season came to an end for the Parry McCluer High School girls basketball team with a 54-50 loss to Fort Chiswell in the Region 1C semifinals on Friday night at Pulaski County High School
The game was a back-and-forth battle, but Fort Chiswell (19-8), the second seed from the Mountain Empire District, went 5-of-6 from the free throw line in the final stretch to secure the win and a berth in the Class 1 state tournament. The Pioneers snapped the Blues’ 14-game winning streak.
The Fighting Blues, under the direction of head coach Adam Gilbert, were the top seed from the Pioneer District and concluded the season with a record of 22-3, going 8-1 in the district and winning the district regular-season and tournament titles.
Blair Jackson led the Pioneers with 26 points, scoring 15 points in the second half. Sadie Robinson added 15 points, and Kara King chipped in 12 points.
Senior Anna Claytor led the Blues with 18 points. Claytor, the Blues’ lone senior, ended her career with 1,174 points and more than 500 rebounds. Victoria Hamilton added 14 points for PM.
The Pioneers will face either Eastern Montgomery in the regional finals at Virginia Tech on Saturday at 6 p.m.
For the full story and photos from the regional tournament, with a season wrap-up for the Blues, please see our March 1 newspaper.
