Pioneers pull out win

By DONNY JENKINS/Correspondent

Behind the duo of Andrew Hamm with 18 points and 19 rebounds and Hody Viars with 25 points, the Fort Chiswell Pioneers overcame their cold shooting and the tenacious defense of Pocahontas to defeat the Indians 65-59 in a Mountain Empire District boys’ basketball game played Friday night at the Fort.
The first quarter got off to a slow start as both teams suffered miserably in their shooting as the score after the first period of play was Pocahontas 16, Fort Chiswell 13.
It was not much better in the second period as Pocahontas increased its lead to 28-22 after the first half of play, by outscoring the Pioneers 12-9.
Pocahontas was paced in scoring in the first half by Zach Pawley and Alan Lancaster with eight points each.  The Pioneers were led by Hamm with seven points and Viars with five.
Whatever FC Head Coach Derrick Jackson said during the halftime break lit a fire into the playing of the Pioneers in the second half.  Viars went ballistic in that third stanza by scoring 14 points that helped the Pioneers cut the margin to three at 45-42, Pocahontas at the end of three.
Viars was supported by Andrew Hamm who was like a madman around the basket by gobbling up rebounds like Pac Man devouring the gremlins in the video game.
The fourth and final quarter saw Hamm score seven of his 18 points along with Drew White scoring nine of his 15 points to support the scoring of Viars who scored 20 of his game high 25 points in the second half to rally the Pioneers to the victory.
Leading the way for the Indians with 17 points was Brandon Pauley.
With the win, Fort Chiswell improved to 8-4 overall and 3-1 in the MED.
On the schedule next for the Pioneers will be a trip to Bland for a district encounter with the Bland County Bears who are 7-7 overall and 3-2 in the district.  That game is slated for Wednesday night.  Then on Friday night the district-leading Galax Maroon Tide will visit the Fort for round one of their two game showdown for district supremacy.

Pocahontas 16 12 17 14—59
Fort Chiswell 13 9 20 23—65

Pocahontas: (0-5, 6-8)—Pawley 11, Lancaster 9, Corner 6, Pauley 17, Wilborn 5, Kennedy 9, Bortle 2. (59)

Fort Chiswell: (3-1, 8-4)—McNeil 3, Viars 25, Bond 4, White 15, Hamm 18 (65)

3-point goals Pocahontas, Corner 1
Fort Chiswell Viars 2