Honaker’s Artrip Finds There’s Always Room to Grow

After being named Region D player of the year as a freshman, many thought Honaker’s Rachel Artrip had little room to grow.

Dr. Dish disagreed.

Artrip averaged 16 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and two steals in 2007-08, her first year on varsity, and the Tigers flourished with a 22-5 record and state tournament berth.

Artrip was already the fastest player, the most skilled ball-handler and the fiercest competitor on her team.

Her jumpshot? Well ...

“Last year, my jump shot was pretty bad,” Artrip conceded.

At the end of the year, Lebanon’s Rex Parker compared Artrip to the former Pioneer’s great Kari Jackson. The only thing keeping Artrip from becoming that kind of player, he said, was a workable jump shot.

So Honaker coach Nathan Breeding, who’s coached Artrip since she was an eighth-grader on the Tigers’ junior varsity team, called the doctor. In this case, it was the noted shooting specialist, Dr. Dish.

Technically, Dr. Dish is a robotic shooting machine attached to a backboard and hoop. Like a pitching machine, the doctor spits balls toward a player in rapid succession – simulating game catch-and-fire scenarios.

“We’ve had that thing out for hours and hours everyday,” Breeding said. “Just shoot and shoot and shoot.”

As a result, one of Southest Virginia’s most versatile players added another weapon to her war chest.

Artrip has never wanted for ability. As an eighth grader, Artrip once scored 32 points in a JV game. Why is this amazing? JV games last for only 24 minutes. Breeding counted on her to break the press, lead the team in rebounding and shoot the ball.

“She was the best player,” Breeding said. “There was no one even close.” 

But when she entered the varsity ranks, the division of natural ability spread across the district was condensed. In the Black Diamond District, Artrip lined up against Twin Valley’s
Katie Jo Lester (19.4 points in 2008-09) and Council’s Stephanie Cornett (16.5 points) regularly.

“Starting out as a freshman it’s hard to get adjusted to the quickness of the game,” Artrip said.

Artrip needed more than natural talent to separate herself and lead the Tigers back to the state tournament. So along with her regular Dr. Dish sessions, Artrip and her teammate Nicole Roman trekked to the high school gym every day it was available. 

As a result, Artrip’s versatility is bordering on unfair. Along with her 16.7 points this year, she is the second-leading rebounder on the team with 5.5 boards, and near the end of close games, Breeding turns the offense over the Artrip – often the tallest player on the floor racing through smaller defenders.

“She’s pretty tough,” Roman said. “She’s just about every where you look.”
In only two seasons, Artrip has already amassed close to 940 points. If she continues on her current pace, Artrip will surpass Misty Davis’ school points record sometime during her junior season.

It’s little surprise then that Honaker has enjoyed some of the greatest success in its history during the two years Artrip has donned her varsity jersey.

Although Honaker missed out on its second-straight BDD title to Council this season, the Tigers are 21-6 and dancing in the Virginia High School League Group A Division 2 state tournament.

After defeating Lee in the region championship last Saturday, the Tigers square off with Floyd County at 3:30 p.m. this Saturday at Virginia High in the quarterfinals of the state tournament.

If the Tigers hope to avoid last year’s failing, when they lost to the same Buffaloes in the same quarterfinals, once again it will come down to play of their young superstar. And she wants to win.

“I’m pretty competitive,” Artrip said. “Especially in sports. I’m out there to win. I’m out there to have fun ... while I win.”

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