The William Byrd girls are stepping up their game with the Blue Ridge District basketball tournament just over a week away. After starting the season with one win in 17 games the girls won two of three in the past week and came close to sweeping the week.
“We as a team are only as good as the people we surround ourselves with,” said Byrd coach Randy Bush. “Having said that, the assistant coaches, or better yet the ‘CO-Coaches’ that are on staff are second to none. They coach their rear ends off each practice and they see the floor for adjustments during games like no other. What they do especially in the short amount of time in between games is phenomenal. We are so lucky to have Sammi Webster, Brandy Helton, Harrison Lionberger, Kat Stanley, Bri Hurt, and Missy Hersel as those coaches.”
Byrd bounced back from a blow-out loss to Lord Botetourt with a win at Hidden Valley one night later, winning 37-35 on Wednesday of last week. Sophia Chrisley had 18 points, including three three-pointers, and Sam Martin had 10.
“For them to compete like they did after a huge blowout loss against LB just 24 hours before was remarkable,” said Bush. “We talk about teams who have gone through what we have gone thru this year fold easily. We preach sticking together and seeing where this will take us on this journey. The win at Hidden Valley was an awesome win in that direction.”
On Saturday the girls played at Staunton River and lost a close one, 48-45. Chrisley had 13 and Logan Andrews scored nine points for the Terriers.
Then, on Tuesday, the Byrd girls played host to Franklin County, who was tied for second place in the Blue Ridge District behind William Fleming. Byrd upset the Eagles with a 51-50 win in overtime as Chrisley hit seven threes and scored 23 points. Martin had 15 in the last home game for seniors Chrisley, Alexis Helton and Taylor Davis.
“For our three seniors the last home game was the best game,” said Bush. “After being slaughter ruled (By 30 Points) at their place, the belief the girls carried over from last week’s games was high. This was the last game these seniors will play at home and they saved their best for it.”
The girls will wrap up the regular season with two games on the road. They’re at Northside on Friday and next Tuesday, February 7, they play at William Fleming in the second game of a doubleheader with the boys.
