Staff Reports

EAST BEND — Forbush's varsity girls basketball team saw the top end and the bottom end of the Mountain Valley 2A Conference in its past two games.

Beating winless North Wilkes 63-30 on Tuesday night proved a nice rebound victory for the Falcons after Friday night's 42-20 defeat at Ashe County.

The 1-1 split pushed Forbush's record to 7-8 overall and 2-4 in the league standings.

While the Falcons had a tough time filling up the nets during their trip to West Jefferson, that was certainly not the case Tuesday. Leslie Long recorded 17 points to lead the way, nearly equaling Forbush's total offensive output at Ashe County.

Amber Wooten added 12 points, while Racheal Salmons scored 11.

Forbush took a 19-12 lead after one quarter, then turned up the defensive pressure to keep North Wilkes from reaching double figures in points in any other quarter. The Falcons outscored the Vikes 30-12 in the middle quarters and then 14-6 over the last eight minutes.

Salmons also had 10 rebounds.

Leia Waller scored 20 points for North Wilkes, which dropped to 0-16 overall and 0-6 in the MVAC. Forbush’s JVs beat North Wilkes 62-11.

Salmons was Forbush's top scorer against Ashe County with eight points, followed by Hannah Lineberry 5, Katelyn Caudle 3, Wooten 3 and Leslie Long 1.

The first quarter proved tight, with Ashe County (14-1, 4-1 MVAC) leading by just four points after eight minutes. But the Huskies outscored the Falcons 12-5 in the second period and 10-2 in the third to pull away. Nine Ashe County players recorded points, led by Mallary Clay's 10.

Ashe County was coming off an 88-29 win over North Wilkes earlier last week, so Forbush might have felt fortunate to keep the Huskies in the 40s.

Forbush will prepare next for the one team that has beaten Ashe County thus far, the Starmount Rams. The Falcons visit Boonville for round two of the Yadkin rivalry on Friday night. Starmount won the first meeting 70-47 before Christmas.

In recent boys action, Forbush suffered losses to both North Wilkes (74-60 on Tuesday) and Ashe County (80-59 on Friday).

The Vikings used a 25-18 run in the fourth period to put the Falcons away. Forbush had clawed back to within two points but couldn't get any closer. North led 35-28 at halftime.

Brothers Timmy Johnson and Dylan Johnson scored 23 and 12 points, respectively, for the Vikings. They are sons of North Wilkes coach Tommy Johnson, who returned to the school this year after a couple of seasons at Pisgah High. Ramone Andino, an exchange student from Puerto Rico, added 15 points, while Storm Clonch scored 13 for the victors.

Matthew Smitherman scored 21 points for Forbush, while Brandon Butner added 13.

North Wilkes improved to 4-2 in the MVAC. Ashe County currently leads the league with a 5-0 mark. Forbush sits at 1-5, 3-12 overall.

Smitherman (19 points) and Zach Hutchens (15) were the top scorers for the Falcons against Ashe County. The duo, though, couldn't account for the Huskies' big offensive night, which was led by Daniel Waln (26 points) and Tommy Spagnolo (20 points).