The Parry McCluer High School girls basketball team lost a pair of Pioneer District games last week, falling at home to district leaders Narrows before dropping a road contest to Bath County.
The Fighting Blues’ 66-23 defeat to the Green Wave and 45-36 setback against the Chargers moved their record to 3-10 overall and 2-3 in the Pioneer.
On Tuesday of last week, Marayka Knoetze tallied 16 points and six rebounds for Narrows, while Karsyn Reed had 13 points and eight assists. The Green Wave would improve to 9-5 overall and 5-0 in the district with a 68-35 win over Eastern Montgomery in Elliston two nights later.
Kayleigh Ramsey paced the Blues with 11 points in Tuesday’s matchup. But PM ultimately couldn’t overcome a 30-13 deficit in the turnover column, along with a rebounding advantage that finished 29-16 in Narrows’ favor.
The Green Wave, who have won each district game by at least 23 points, took full advantage of both their interior size and the Blues’ miscues. After returning several key cogs from last year’s Pioneer championship team – including Reed, the district player of the year in 2024-25 – Narrows looks very much like a well-oiled machine.
“You can tell they’ve played a lot of basketball together,” PM head coach Adam Gilbert said. “Offensively, they’ve got four or five kids that can score the basketball. That makes it tough to defend.”
The Blues led 4-2 just past the midway point of the first period. But the Green Wave quickly kicked into gear, using an 18-0 run that stretched into the second quarter to take command of the game at 20-4. Narrows’s cushion wouldn’t dip below 13 points for the rest of the evening.
Ramsey was a bright spot on the night for PM. After totaling 53 points in the Blues’ three games the previous week – including 22 markers in a close nondistrict road loss to Auburn – the senior continues to be a reliable offensive option.
“The last probably four games, Kayleigh’s really turned the corner in that regard – just being aggressive and attacking the basket,” Gilbert said. “She’s starting to see the basketball go through the basket some, and I think it’s giving her some confidence.”
Ellyn Bowles chipped in 11 points for Narrows, and Kailyn Jones totaled 10 points and six rebounds. Kat Zissi had five points for the Blues, and Josie Martinez contributed four markers.
BC 45, PM 36
Bath County held off PM to collect a 45-36 victory in Hot Springs on Thursday evening.
Trinity Forbes posted a game-high 18 points for the Chargers (4-8 overall, 2-3 district). Ryleigh Phillips notched eight points for Bath, and Bre Mabe chipped in six markers.
Ramsey and Emory Slagle scored 12 points apiece for PM, with Slagle knocking down four 3-pointers. Martinez added nine points for the Blues.
PM was slated to visit Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy on Monday. The Blues will travel to district rival Eastern Montgomery for a 6 p.m. tip on Thursday, followed by a matchup with Rural Retreat at 12:30 p.m. Saturday in the Rock the Ribbon Roundball Shootout at Rockbridge County High School. The Blues will return to district action at home against Highland County on Tuesday, with the 5:30 p.m. varsity girls’ game preceding the 7 p.m. varsity boys’ game.
FIGHTING BLUE senior guard Kayleigh Ramsey takes the ball toward the basket while closely guarded by Melanie Price of Narrows. (Ronnie Coffey photo)
PM FRESHMAN guard Caroline Watts searches for an open teammate while Marayka Knoetze of Narrows guards her. (Ronnie Coffey photos)
