For the Alexander Central Basketball teams, it’s time to turn it up a notch. That seems rather odd to say that, considering both have had success in non-league play. Tonight, things change, it’s the conference opener !
The Cougars will host Ashe County.
2022 Dick’s Sporting Goods Tournament Champions
Senior Sydney Hayes earned the tourney MVP last week and leads the team in scoring at 11.5 points per game. Kirstyn Herman averages 10.8 and leads the team in rebounding at 7.8 per outing, Freshman Meredith Wike scores at 7.5 points per game and seems to be getting better every time she runs out on the floor. Coach Jon Presnell starts freshman Malayah Adams at the point and she’s the fastest player on the court . The starting five is rounded out by Hallie Jarrett who adds 7 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.
Coach Presnell says it was “great to win the tournament last week but now it gets a lot tougher” referring to the Northwestern Conference. Presnell said “You go 5 and 5 in this league, you’ve done well.” Looking at the records, he’s got a point.
NWC Women
Alexander Central 12-0
Hibriten 13-1
Ashe County 9-3
Watauga 10-4
Freedom 9-4
South Caldwell 9-5
For the Alexander Central men, they’re sitting at 8-4 including a 3rd place finish in last week’s Holiday Tournament. Coach Ed Wills knew his team would miss a group of 2022 seniors including league player of the year Evan Presnell. The shooting guard averaged 18.6 points per game but he’s now playing for Catawba Valley Community College.
Sweet-shooting Avery Cook averages 13.2 points per game. Junior Chad Lasher has emerged as a force in the paint scoring 11.4 points and pulling down 6 rebounds per outing. Senior pg Grayson Presnell adds 9 points and 5 assists per game. He runs the show and almost never gets tagged with a turnover. Carter Fortner and Luke Hammer round out the starting five. When the Cougars are hitting three-point baskets, they’re just about unbeatable but on the nights when the jumpers aren’t falling, they’ve lost some close games.
NWC Men
Freedom 9-3
Alexander Central 8-4
Hibriten 7-6
South Caldwell 7-7
Watauga 6-7
Ashe County 6-7