Owen opens conference basketball season at home

Warlassies and Warhorses corralled by Wildcats

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
December 16, 2023

A pair of Western Highlands Conference schools faced off, Dec. 15, as Owen welcomed Draughn to the Swannanoa Valley.

Both Wildcats programs opened their 2023 conference campaign, as the Warlassies and Warhorses each fell to 1-7.

The Warlassies, led by head coach Robin Martin, established an early lead in the opening minutes, as senior Ellie Martin scored 11 in the first quarter to give her team a 25-11 advantage. Owen fended off a hard-charging Wildcats attack for much of the second quarter before the visiting team seized a 32-31 in the final seconds of the half.

While three Warlassies — freshman Mia Roland, Martin’s 13 and 11 from senior Hayden Koone — finished with double-digit scoring totals, Draughn took over in the second half. The Wildcats posted a 51-41 lead to end the third quarter and held the Owen offense to 5 points in the fourth, as the visitors closed out the 72-46 victory.

The Warhorses were chasing their second win of the season against the Draughn boys team, which entered the night with a 2-4 mark. Owen’s leading scorer, sophomore guard Asante Martin, connected on an early 3-pointer to give his team 10-2 advantage. The Warhorses went on to extend their lead to 12 points and held a 35-24 lead heading into halftime.

The Wildcats opened the second half with a 16-5 run to take their first lead of the contest, closing out the third quarter with a 50-42 advantage. Owen cut the Draughn lead to 1 point late in the fourth, but the Wildcats finished strong in the 68-62 win.

Martin finished the night with 17 points, while senior Daxon Mason posted a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

The Warhorses will return to their home court at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 19, when they host 2-2 Mitchell, while the Warlassies will welcome the 0-4 Mountaineers at 6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 21.

Photos of the 2023 Western Highlands Conference basketball opener, hosted by Owen High School, can be viewed in the gallery at the top of the page.