High School

HILLSVILLE –– The fourth period in games like Carroll County’s win over Christiansburg is often little more than a mere formality. When there is a 45-point spread on the scoreboard after three quarters, the final eight minutes are pretty pointless. It got that way Tuesday because the first quarter was pointless for the Blue Demons.

Carroll County shut out Christiansburg for the first eight-plus minutes and overwhelmed the Demons to the tune of a 27-0 lead, coasting to an 86-40 win in the Cavaliers’ inaugural outing in the River Ridge District.

HILLSVILLE –– With five easy wins and a lopsided loss, Carroll County hadn’t been in a close game through the first three weeks of the season, and Cavalier coach Marc Motley wasn’t sure what to expect once that nailbiter finally came.

He must feel some measure of reassurance after Friday.

INDEPENDENCE –– Chilhowie dominated the opening minutes of each half and never let Grayson County within striking distance the rest of the night, taking a 77-62 nondistrict girls’ win Friday night.

The Warriors (2-0) took a 13-5 lead in the first six minutes and 37 seconds and opened the second half on a 9-3 run. The closest the Blue Devils (1-2) would get in the first half was 24-19, and Grayson would only creep to within nine points twice in the second half.

HILLSVILLE –– Tom Hale set a pretty high standard for himself when he took over the Carroll County High School football program 15 years ago.

“I always told myself that when I had two losing seasons in a row I would resign,” he said.

Considering Carroll County had put together back-to-back winning seasons just four times in the previous 30 years, Hale’s 15-year tenure is pretty remarkable.