NBHS BlackHawks work their way through slump


By Matt Tate Te schedule makers have not


done North Buncombe any favors this season. After a nine-day break because of


snow, the BlackHawks wrapped up their fifth game in eight days Mon- day (Jan. 24) at McDowell. Unfortunately for the boys’ team,


the Titans handed the BlackHawks their fifth consecutive loss. Coach David Rhoney said a cul-


mination of circumstances includ- ing a lack of practice and a tough stretch of games has factored into the swoon for the BlackHawks (13- 6 overall, 3-5 in the Mountain Ath- letic Conference). “We just kind of drifted away


from what we believe in,” he said. Te BlackHawks were ranked


fourth in the state when they met Asheville on Jan. 14. A one-point loss to the Cougars was followed by losses to Reynolds, Enka, Mc- Dowell and previously undefeated Erwin. Te Erwin game, in particular,


hung over the BlackHawks as that hotly anticipated matchup was moved several times before finally being played Jan. 19. It was origi- nally set as a showdown between two undefeated MAC teams, but by the time it was played, the Black- Hawks had lost two straight to the Cougars and Rockets. “I don’t think that worked out


very good for us,” Rhoney said of the Erwin matchup. “We didn’t do a very good job of putting that game on the backburner.” Te BlackHawks came out with


emotion against the Warriors, but Erwin’s depth and athleticism even-


tually wore down North Buncombe in an 81-64 loss. Defending conference champion


McDowell surged past the Black- Hawks in the final quarter of a 73- 71 win on Monday in Marion. Kyle Ward paced the Black-


Hawks with 27 points against the Titans and Rhoney said while ideal- ly he prefers balanced scoring from the likes of Ward, Kevin Bailey, Christian Bridges and Sam Rector, the senior forward has been doing a good job of stepping up as defenses collapse on other players. “When the defense is taking away


some other players, we need to have another person step up,” he said. “Kyle Ward has been shooting the ball well lately.” Te BlackHawks are expecting


an unusual zone defense Friday (Jan. 28) against Roberson. Rhoney said the Rams will try to disrupt the BlackHawks’ rhythm and pace. “We’ve got to try and play our


style,” he said. “I really believe who- ever can dictate pace will win.” On the girls’ side, North Bun-


combe hit the skids Monday with a 65-41 loss to McDowell. Coach Robby Parker said the


youthful BlackHawks have had their share of highs and lows this season. “It’s been a learning curve,” he


said. Te BlackHawks (7-12, 2-6)


have four freshmen on varsity. Kelsi McHone has added touch from the outside, while Haley Higgins fills a slasher role on the team. Heather Burton and Monica Taylor have also stepped in to give valuable minutes. “All four contribute something


different,” he said. Tey have been mixed with the


Sam Rector (21) and Kevin Bailey (30) react against Erwin.


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squad’s veterans such as point guard Kelsey Moore and forward Jayde Ledbetter. “It’s a slow process, but we’re


showing flashes of greatness,” he said. “I keep telling them, ‘Some- thing good is going to happen to this team.’ ” Te BlackHawks lost two close


home games to Reynolds and Erwin on Jan. 18 and Jan. 19, respectively, and then bounced back Friday (Jan. 21) to knock off Enka on the road. Friday’s game against Roberson


will be the school’s homecoming. Editor’s note: See recent high-


lights from NBHS games at weav- ervilletribune.com.


Haley Higgins attempts a layup against Erwin.


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