Fort Chiswell basketball team will be a force in the MED

By JIM CUNNINGHAM/Staff

The Fort Chiswell Pioneers plan to have something to say about what boys’ basketball team wins the Mountain Empire District this season, according to FC Head Coach Derrick Jackson.
Jackson takes over in his third season as the team’s head coach after being involved with the program for eight years as an assistant coach.
“I look for us to be competitive (in the MED) this season,” said Jackson. Last year the Pioneers tied for second place (with Narrows) with both teams trailing behind Galax.
Jackson predicts that Galax will once again be the team to beat, but he feels confident that his team has a lot going for it.
For one thing, he said, “This is probably the fastest team I’ve ever had.” It’s also one of the deepest. “And the guards are very athletic.”
Jackson said one of his main concerns in pre-season has been to improve his team’s half-court defense.
Five players return to this year’s team who were starters for much of the season: Senior Cody Poole and juniors Hody Viars, Zack Cook, Andrew White and Tyler Akers.
Viars is the leading returning scorer; he averaged about 14 points a game last season.
The coach said Cook is a good defensive stopper who has been on the varsity since his freshman year.
Akers has worked on his game in the off-season, said Jackson. He will be a wing player and “can shoot it from anywhere on the court.”
White is the only returning post player, and the coach expects him to step up and play well inside.
Jackson said he expects juniors Parker Mabe and Chris Rodriguez to also contribute to the team. He said Rodriguez “is the fastest kid I’ve ever coached.”
And the coach said that senior Storm Bond will help the team’s defense.
Up from the JV team are junior Michael Dunford and Jacob Henley at the guard spots. Henley will do a lot of the ball handling, said Jackson.
And the coach is also expecting good things from Daniel Wilson, Chaese Patton and newcomer to the program, Wayde Stuwe.
Jackson said the Pioneers will continue with their up-tempo style of play, and the players are well-suited for that.
Here is the Fort Chiswell boys’ basketball schedule:
Date Opponent Site
Dec. 2 Floyd Home
Dec. 5 George Wythe Away
Dec. 12 Glenvar Away
Dec. 15 tourney Northwood
Dec. 17 tourney Northwood
Dec. 19 George Wythe Home
Dec. 26-29 tourney Home
Jan. 3 tourney Floyd
Jan. 5 Glenvar Home
Jan. 9 Bland Away
Jan. 12 Auburn Away
Jan. 14 Galax Home
Jan. 16 Grayson Home
Jan. 21 Narrows Away
Jan. 28 Bland Home
Jan. 30 Narrows Home
Feb. 2 Oak Hill Home
Feb. 4 Grayson Away
Feb. 6 Galax Away
Feb. 10 Pat. Henry Home