RURAL RETREAT, Va. – Honaker girls basketball Misty Miller has a unique way of inspiring senior guard Tailor Nolley.
“I’ve always told Tailor that she can play like a boy,” Miller said.
That scouting report suits Nolley just fine.
“It’s the best compliment I’ve received,” Nolley said. “I strive to be different on the court, and I like to put defenders in difficult positions.”
Scoring from various spot on the floor, the 5-foot-9 Nolley collected 13 points Tuesday as the Tigers earned a 52-23 Hogoheegee District win over the Rural Retreat Indians.
In the preseason Hogoheegee coaches, Honaker was picked to edge the Indians for the district crown this season. Honaker has won three of the past four Class 1 titles, while Rural Retreat has won three straight Hogoheegee District titles.
Thanks to Nolley and six players who are at least 5-8, Honaker (10-3, 3-0) made a clear statement Tuesday.
“Rural Retreat is our biggest competition in the district, but we were able to hit in the mouth with our defense,” Nolley said. “We thrive on our defense.”
HONAKER (52) – Jessee 1 1-4 3, McNulty 6 4-7 16, Nolley 4 2-2 13, Miller 3 1-2 7, Ray 0 0-0 0, C. Keene 3 0-0 9, Farmer 2 0-0 0 4. Totals 20 8-15 53.
RURAL RETREAT (23) – Davidson 3 1-1 7, Fiscus 2 2-4 6, Cox 0 0-0 0 Crigger 4 1-2 9, Bailey 0 1-4 1, Musser 0 0-0 0, Moore 0 0-0 0. Totals 9 5-11 23.
Honaker 15 13 14 10-52
Rural Retreat 9 5 5 4-23
3-point goals – Hon. 4 (C. Keene 3, Nolley), RR none. Total fouls – Hon. 11, RR 11. Fouled out – JV game – Honaker 35-17
BOYS
Honaker 69, Rural Retreat 39
Football is not the only sport for Honaker’s Aidan Lowe.
The senior guard displayed his hoop talents Tuesday with a 20-point effort as the Tigers rolled to another win.
Lowe enjoyed another banner season at running back for the Tigers this past fall.
Eight different players scored for Honaker Tuesday, including senior center Keyton Keene (14 points) and senior forward Parker Bandy with 12.
The Tigers opened a 35-17 halftime margin and cruised over the final two quarters.
Junior forward Conley Martin paced Rural Retreat with 12 points.
With a veteran lineup, Honaker is favored to win the Hogoheegee.
HONAKER (69) – P. Musick 7, C. Musick 0, Gill 6, Keene 14, A. Lowe 20, M. Lowe 4, A. Musick 2, Hart 4, Bandy 12.
RURAL RETREAT (39) – Smelser 7, Roberts 7, Shelton 3, Carico 3, Snavely 5, Dutton 0, Martin 12, Onate 2.
Honaker 18 17 15 19-69
Rural Retreat 10 7 10 12-39
3-point goals – Hon. 2 (Gill, Keene), RR 5 (Martin, Snavely, Carico, Roberts, Smelser). Total fouls – Hon. 8, RR 23. Fouled out – none. JV game – RR 51-46