BY TIM HAYES
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER
WISE, Va. – Adrienne Womack and Meghan Rutherford first met in the summer of 2007. The two were teammates on the West team in the Virginia High School Coaches Association All-Star Game in Hampton.
The future college teammates made an instant connection and formed a mutual respect for one another that still exists.
“I love playing with Adrienne,” Rutherford said. “We work well together, and she’s a good athlete.”
Womack offered a similar reply when asked what it was like to play with Rutherford.
“I know Meghan’s game and she knows mine,” Womack said. “She’s really good and we work well together. I know her moves and when she wants the ball.”
And while the University of Virginia’s College at Wise’s women’s basketball team struggled to a 6-26 showing last season, Womack and Rutherford provided a silver lining.
Womack averaged a team-high 12 points per game and also pulled down 5.5 rebounds per contest. Meanwhile, Rutherford put up averages of 11.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.
Both post players made an instant impact, becoming two of the Appalachian Athletic Conference’s top newcomers. Womack and Rutherford will also be counted on to play big roles as UVa.-Wise looks to have a successful 2008-09 season.
“They work well together on the floor,” UVa.-Wise coach Rachel Clay-Keohane said. “Meghan is extremely unselfish and plays hard to win and Adrienne, even though she may be undersized for a post player, she makes up for it in work and determination. They are a good group to go to war with.”
While Womack and Rutherford have similar games in the post, there backgrounds are different.
Womack was a highly-touted recruit from perennial Virginia High School League powerhouse Floyd County High School. So last year’s losses weren’t easy to take.
“I’m used to winning,” Womack said. “Last year, we had our spurts where we played well. And then we had moments where we didn’t do anything.”
Meanwhile, Rutherford played for several mediocre John Battle High School basketball teams and the Trojans failed to advance in the postseason during her time at the school. However, she was a three-sport star and became known for her intensity and all-out effort.
“Last year was exciting for me,” Rutherford said. “I didn’t think I would do as well as I did.”
With several players returning from last season’s team and a deep and talented recruiting class joining them, Womack and Rutherford will be complemented well.
They also have another thing in common. They think the Highland Cavaliers will be much-improved. UVa.-Wise opened the season with a 29-point win over Asbury (Ky.) College on Saturday.
“We’ve looked a lot better,” Rutherford said.
Womack added: “I’m confident. We have a lot of potential.”
thayes@bristolnews.com|(276) 645-2570
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