COLLEGE BASKETBALL: UVa.-Wise women have fresh faces, new attitude

WISE, Va. — Charlotte Reasor’s emotions ran the gambit on Nov. 5 as her first college basketball game at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise grew closer.

The 5-foot-10 freshman guard was excited, yet nervous. She was pumped up, but tense.

“Oh my gosh, my nerves were shot,” said Reasor. “I actually came over to [UVa.-Wise head coach Jason Montgomery] in warm ups and he’s like, ‘You’re going to start on No. 34 [Alice Lloyd’s Nicole Lutes].’ Where we had the scouting report, I knew she was a shooter and my heart sank in my stomach. Then I got out there and did the jumpball.

“I was absolutely on edge.”

Reasor overcame her anxiety, scoring a team-high 15 points and keying UVa.-Wise’s 83-80 season-opening victory over Alice Lloyd.

It signaled the beginning of a new era for the Highland Cavaliers.

The team has a new head coach in Montgomery, an impressive group of newcomers and a mix of fresh faces and experienced veterans.

They also have a new outlook on things. The team is off to a 4-5 start, nearly matching last year’s total of six wins.

“We’re expecting good things,” Reasor said. “We want to be where we need to be at the end of the season. We have a good combination. It’s exciting.”

One reason for excitement is the solid crop of returnees. Juniors Meghan Rutherford and Adrienne Womack are two of the top post players in the Appalachian Athletic Conference,
sophomore Kristin Mullins is a proven scorer and point guard Amber Carter is exceptional.

Also, four promising players headline a strong recruiting class.

Reasor was a four-year starter at Rural Retreat High School and has taken quickly to the collegiate game.

Chelsea Cluesman led Lee High to the VHSL Group A, Division 2 state semifinals last season and is known for her versatility.

Jaydee Brewer was a standout at nearby J.J. Kelly and decided to continue her career in her hometown.

Meanwhile, 5-foot-10 sophomore Ayla Young played at Volunteer State (Tenn.) Community College last season and has already hit 12 3-pointers in the first six games of this season.

Then, there’s the new coach. Montgomery found success at Volunteer State the previous two seasons and before that had successful runs at St. Catharine College (Ky.) and
Florida’s Nature Coast Technical High School.

Young actually played for Montgomery last season at Volunteer State.

“He’s a very good coach,” Young said. “He just knows what he’s talking about. Whenever it comes down to it, he knows what he wants to run and it works out pretty good.”

The Cavs have looked good so far and have shown improvement on offense. The team is averaging nearly 80 points per game and has five players averaging over nine points per game.

“It’s been good,” Montgomery said. “It’s a great group of kids. They’re one of the hardest working groups of kids I’ve ever been around.”

thayes@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2570

UVa.-Wise Women
Nickname: Highland Cavaliers
Conference: Appalachian Athletic
Head Coach: Jason Montgomery
2008-09 Record: 6-23, 5-13
2009-10 Record (through Monday): 4-5, 0-2
Top Returnees: Brittany Maxwell (5-7, sr.); Kristin Mullins (5-10, soph.); Meghan Rutherford (5-10, jr.).
Outlook: After going a combined 12-49 the past two seasons, UVa.-Wise entered the season looking for a turnaround and a fresh start. First-year head coach Jason Montgomery has brought an upgraded level of intensity to the program and has a roster that blends promising newcomers and experienced standouts. The Highland Cavaliers must cut down on their turnovers and receive more consistency from the youngsters, but the team could be a darkhorse come AAC tournament time.

UVa.-Wise Men
Nickname: Highland Cavaliers
Conference: Appalachian Athletic
Head Coach: Lee Clark
2008-09 Record: 7-21, 5-12
2009-10 Record (through Monday): 3-4 1-1
Top Returnees: Travis Berry (6-2, soph.); Adam Hood (6-2, jr.); Kevin Perry (6-5, jr.)
Outlook: This is the best team UVa.-Wise has put on the floor the past few seasons. The Highland Cavaliers have balanced scoring, with four players currently averaging in double figures. Clark’s team has also improved in rebounding, a part of the game that has been a weakness in the past. Clark once again has lined up a tough early-season schedule, including three games against NCAA Division I teams. Yet, look for UVa.-Wise to be in the thick of the AAC title race this winter.