After the first eight minutes on Saturday, Feb. 13, there were many confused fans at Ashe County High School in West Jefferson. The North Wilkes Vikings (then 0-19 overall and 0-15 in the Mountain Valley Conference) had scored the last seven minutes of the first quarter, holding the Ashe varsity girls basketball squad (then 19-1 overall and 15-0 in conference play) scoreless for more than three minutes and turning a 9-4 deficit into an 11-9 lead.

The Huskies continued to struggle as the second quarter began, but hit four-of-six free throws to take a 13-12 lead with 5:28 remaining in the half. Ashe then exploded offensively, scoring eight quick points on baskets from four different players to extend the lead to nine.

But the Vikings surged back, outscoring Ashe 6-2 over the final minutes of the second quarter to pull within 23-18 at the half.

Ashe County opened the third quarter with an 11-2 run over the first two-and-a-half minutes to stretch their lead to 34-20. North Wilkes responded with three points at the free throw line, but it was as close as they would get.

The Huskies dominated the next nine minutes of the game, outscoring North Wilkes 26-0 and turning the once close game into a blowout that would end at 66-29.

The victory gave Ashe County a 16-0 conference record - the rarely seen perfect regular season - and their second consecutive regular season title in the conference.

"It feels great," said Head Coach Laura Foster of the perfect record. "Sending our seniors out on a great note, going undefeated, conference champions and getting our 20th win of the season. It couldn't have happened to a better group of girls that I have this year. They've really done well."

Foster said that had someone told her in November the team would go 16-0 in the MVC she would not have believed them.

"This team has gone well beyond my expectations for them," said Foster. "They're fun for me to coach and they're absolutely the best defensive team I've ever coached.

"This group of seniors, in their minds, probably didn't know how in the world they were going to top last year's team because last year's team did so well and everyone wants their senior year to be the best. But they've certainly topped last year's team.

With the regular season over the team will now look toward earning a second consecutive conference tournament title. Foster said the team has "got to win one game at a time," beginning with a home match against West Wilkes at approximately 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 17.

"This time of the year, they should know everything they're going to know," said Foster. "It's just a matter of smoothing out any wrinkles that we may have, offensively or defensively." 

If Ashe County defeats West Wilkes they will advance to the semifinals and play a 7 p.m. game at Starmount High School in Boonville against either Starmount or Alleghany.

The varsity girls conference championship game will be played at 6:30 p.m. on Friday at Starmount, located at 2516 Longtown Road in Boonville.

Admission to either Wednesday's home quarterfinals match against West Wilkes or semifinal and final rounds at Starmount is $5 per night. Anyone unable to attend can listen to the action on WKSK 580 AM.

For more information, contact Ashe County High School at (336) 846-2400.