The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

High School Sports

Related Photos

  • Westside’s Megan Spolarich, left, drives to the basket past a Scott defender during the Class AA championship game March 10 at the Charleston Civic Center. Register-Herald file photo

    1124Westside
November 24, 2012

Renegades ready to defend title

By Dan Stillwell Register-Herald Sports Writer

A state championship was a long time coming for Westside’s girls basketball team.

They’re not looking to give it up anytime soon.

“We’ve got 11 girls back from the (Class AA) state championship team,” coach Jamie Lusk said. “It’s looking good right now.”

Westside had misfired in its first three previous state tournament appearances, losing each time in a quarterfinal game.

But last March the talented and deep Renegades  would not be denied. They halted Summers County’s run of five straight Class AA titles in the regional final, and then swept the field at states to complete a 28-0 campaign.

They carry the crown proudly.

“We’re excited about being the defending state champions,” Lusk said. “It’s the first time our school can say that.

“We’ll wear the bullseye. We worked for years and years. It means we’re a good team. We’re excited about the challenge.”

Westside took some hits from graduation, including shooting guard and second-team all-stater Tori Patrick, point guard and third-team all-stater Cheyenna Lusk and dependable forward and defensive specialist Mckinsey Davis.

Nonetheless, the Renegades have a wealth of talent and experience coming back.

The two returning starters, Hope Lester and Morgan Spolarich are expected to be two of the best players in all of Class AA, if not the state.

Lester, a 6-foot center, drew raves for her play in the state tournament in Charleston. In three games she scored 81 points and grabbed 42 rebounds.

Besides completely dominating under the basket, she made steal-after-steal, handled the ball like a guard and even drilled a 3-pointer for good measure.

Only a freshman, she was named to the all-tournament team and was chosen a first-team all-stater.

“Hope is always working hard — from the time the season ended until we started practice, she played another 50 games,” Lusk said. “The season is almost a relief to her because she faces such good competition in AAU ball.

“She’s really improved her quickness, and she’s one of our top shooters. Teams will have to come out on her.”

Spolarich, a senior guard-forward, should come into her own this year as a shooter, yet continue to score four or five baskets a game off steals.

She averaged 10.6 points, 5 steals, 6 rebounds and 4 assists per game.

Perimeter players Faith Davis, Danielle Brown and Stephanie Brown, and posts Megan Endicott and Kristen Hash featured prominently last season in Lusk’s rotation.

Each made big contributions in Westside’s 49-46 win over Scott in the championship game.

“My philosophy is you have to play your bench. It always comes back to benefit you in the future,” Lusk said. “Those girls played a lot at the state tournament and got big-game exposure.

“They know how to play. They’ve waited their turn. They’ve played a lot of AAU and summer basketball. I think they’re ready.”

Mackenzie Endicott, Megan’s 6-foot twin sister, is back from an injury that kept her out of the state tournament. An improved Laken Walker adds even more depth at guard.

Lusk likes offense, and he’s given the team the green light to shoot.

“Whet we preach is, if you’re open, take the shot and shoot with confidence,” he said.

The Renegades will start their season Dec. 5 at home against Logan.

— E-mail: dstillwell@register-herald.com

Text Only
High School Sports
  • 052213 woodrow Woodrow downs defending AAA champs

    It’s a play that Woodrow Wilson has practiced everyday this season and has rarely had to utilize.
    It’s a good thing the Flying Eagles did practice it; it saved their season and led to a 2-1 victory over defending state champion Princeton.

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo

  • 052213 indy No repeat for Warriors

    Independence has been on a tear offensively the entire month of May. It didn’t stop Tuesday, even against Wyoming East ace Derek Thornton.
    The Patriots led 5-0 after two innings, and Brian Sexton — backed by that very offense and some sparkling defense — gutted out a complete game in a 7-5 win in the Class AA Region 3 semifinals Tuesday night.

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo

  • ’Hounds hold off upset bid from Man Hillbillies

    Valley’s potent offense never came to life, but the Greyhounds are still alive.
    Valley (22-7) — with several players hitting .400 or better this season — could muster just three singles against underdog Man (6-20-1) in one of two Class A Region 3 baseball semifinals Tuesday, but the ’Hounds manufactured two runs in the crucial fifth inning to finally go ahead of the stubborn Hillbillies and escape with a 3-2 victory.

    May 21, 2013

  • Cordell pitches PikeView past Knights

    May 21, 2013

  • indy Patriots, Warriors meet in anticipated matchup

    The matchup many people expected will take place today.

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo

  • Fayette teams, Cavaliers vying for Class A spots

    Two Fayette County baseball teams have advanced deeper into postseason play and will begin Region 3 tournament action today.

    May 21, 2013

  • Confident Mavs headed to states

    From the outset, James Monroe’s mission was clear: Get to the state softball tournament.

    May 21, 2013

  • rakes Eagles get 2nd shot at Tigers

    The road to the Class AAA state championship for Princeton last year went through Beckley. A repeat would require the same stop, but Woodrow Wilson is looking to put up more resistance this time around.

    May 20, 2013 1 Photo

  • clifton Clifton wins prestigious Ohio tournament

    From now on, maybe Cody Clifton should pay absolutely zero attention to who’s who in West Virginia high school wrestling.

    May 20, 2013 1 Photo

  • edwards Same result, different meanings for rivals

    Second place had entirely different meanings for two local track and field standouts Saturday in Charleston.

    May 20, 2013 1 Photo