BY ANTHONY STEVENS
for the Daily Telegraph
BRISTOL, Va. — The Honaker girls have something that no one can ever take from them. The Lady Tigers are the first-ever Region 1A-West champions.
Honaker defeated Chilhowie 40-30 in the title game at the Bearcat Den at Virginia High School on Saturday. A lot can be said for peaking at the right time of the year. The Lady Tigers have now won 11 games in a row.
“I never dreamed this,” Honaker post Laken Robinette said. “It’s just an amazing feeling. I’m just overwhelmed and excited. We knew Chilhowie would be a tough team to beat, but we came in confident and knew we could do it.”
Honaker (23-6) started the game going inside to Robinette. It paid off, she scored the first five points of the game. Chilhowie couldn’t match her size and quickness. With Honaker taking a 10-6 lead after the first eight minutes of play the Warriors fell back into a 2-3 zone trying to deny the inside game.
“When they started packing it in on me, we had other girls step up,” commented Robinette. “I was really proud of how everyone played. I just love this team.”
Robinette posted a familiar double-double. She finished with 11 points and also cleared the glass with 15 rebounds. Megan Ray also continued her outstanding play leading the Tigers with 12 points.
The most impressive part of Ray’s game might have been her defense. Honaker started in a box-and-one on Chilhowie standout Paula Catron. But they switched to a man and put Ray on Catron with constant switching. Catron had a game-high 20 points but was never able to take over the game, as she has done frequently.
“We struggled getting into our offense and that is a credit to their defense,” Chilhowie coach Mark Halsey said. “When we found a shot it wouldn’t go. We struggled on both ends of the floor.”
Chilhowie (24-2) started the second quarter on an 8-0 run. But each team had problems scoring in the first half. The Warriors held a 16-14 advantage at halftime. Chilhowie made only 21 percent of their shots in the first half, but Honaker only made 19 percent of theirs.
Honaker began to find the range in the second half and with their defense, they didn’t have to score a lot. They also took care of the basketball with only two turnovers in the second half. They held the Warriors scoreless for the last four minutes of the third quarter, as the Tigers took a 25-22 lead.
The final eight minutes belonged to the Tigers. They outscored Chilhowie 15-8. Honaker was able to work the clock and convert their free throws down the stretch.
“This is just an amazing experience,” third-year Honaker coach Misty Miller said. “I thank God for the opportunity and this is just a great group of girls and that makes a world of difference. This is a tight knit team, we’re just like family.”
Honaker will meet Colonial Beach in the 1A semifinals on Friday or Saturday at Virginia-Wise. Altavista, which defeated Colonial Beach in the 1A-East finals 57-44 will host Chilhowie.
Only the two winners will advance to the 1A state championship game the following week in Richmond.
“The nerves of win or go home didn’t have to be here tonight, but this game was important,” stated Miller. “We wanted to host and that was very important to us.”

at the Bearcat Den
CHILHOWIE (24-2)
Branch 2 0-0 4, Tilson 1 0-0 2, Hurley 1 0-0 2, Catron 7 6-6 20, Sabo 0 0-2 0, Richards 0 0-0 0 Smarr 0 2-2 2, Kestner 0 0-0 0. Totals 11 7-10 30.
HONAKER (23-6)
Deel 0 2-2 2, Ray 4 4-4 12, Shelton 0 1-2 1, Miller 2 0-1 6, Robinette 5 1-2 11, Musick 1 0-0 2, Elswick 0 0-0 0, Vandyke 0 0-0 0, Meade 3 0-2 6. Totals 15 8-13 40.
Chilhowie.............................6 10 6 8 — 30
Honaker..............................10 4 11 15 — 40
3-point goals – Chilhowie none, Honaker 2 (Miller 2). Total fouls – Chilhowie 13, Honaker 9. Fouled out - none. Technicals – none.