Despite last week's cold and snowy weather, the Fantom Sports Network hit the road for week one of our local high school basketball tour, where things would quickly heat up on the courts of the 540. Featuring some of the brightest athletes and biggest rivalries of the region, below is our Fantom Hardwood Travels Week One Write-Up.
Game One: Salem Lady Spartans vs EC Glass Lady Hiilltoppers
Our first stop on our inaugural high school basketball tour was Salem High School in Salem, Virginia, for the first of three consecutive girls' varsity basketball games. The Lady Spartans hosted the Lady Hilltoppers, aiming for a statement win after two days of snow.
The Lady Spartans showcased a full team effort featuring the Sophomore Trio of Gabby Crawley, Bailey Ridder, and Emme Custer as they battled to defeat EC Glass 49-35, extending their record to 13-1 on the season (now 14-1 following a 66-23 win over Cave Spring on Friday). Salem is currently averaging 58 points per game this season and possesses a lethal defensive unit that has held opponents to under 40 points 11 times this season.
Salem will prepare for a three-game stretch on the road next week against Blacksburg, Hidden Valley, and Rockbridge County.
540 Players To Know:
Gabby Crawley- Salem Guard (c/o 2026) | https://www.hudl.com/profile/17512822/Gabby-Crawley-A
Emme Custer- Salem Forward (c/o 2026) | https://www.hudl.com/profile/17510779/Emme-Custer
Bailey Ridder- Salem Forward (c/o 2026) | https://www.hudl.com/profile/18811360/Bailey-Rider
Game Two: William Fleming Lady Colonels vs Patrick Henry Lady Patriots
Our second stop for Fantom Hardwood Travels found us covering one of the most historic rivalries in this region, one that introduced high school basketball coverage for the Fantom Sports Network in early December. This time, we traveled to William Fleming High School, the home of the Lady Colonels, for THE rivalry game against the Patrick Henry Lady Patriots.
It was the second game of this year's rivalry series, and arguably one of the most important games for either team this season.
The Lady Colonels, who had secured the win over Patrick Henry in the final seconds of their earlier meeting in December, found themselves in a similar battle as the Lady Patriots looked to extend their win streak to five in a row and continue their undefeated road dog season.
Back and forth down to the final five points and 17 seconds. Another instant classic in this inner-city rivalry, a game where both teams pushed each other to their highest levels. It was the future Murray State guard, Jada Cook, who put on a thrilling second-half performance, and a wide-open toss by Azia Banks to Addison Gibson for the easy layup that carried the Lady Patriots to a last-second, 50-48 win over William Fleming. Both teams feature bright futures in sophomore stars such as William Fleming's Amari Worsham and Signae Houston, who both fought until the whistle on Thursday night.
William Fleming will prepare for William Byrd at home and then embark on a two-game road trip against Northside and Lord Botetourt.
540 Players To Know:
Jada Cook- Patrick Henry Guard (c/o 2024) | https://www.hudl.com/profile/14495823/Jada-Cook
Addison Gibson- Patrick Henry Forward (c/o 2026) | https://www.hudl.com/profile/17534093/Addison-Gibson
Amari Worsham- William Fleming Guard (c/o 2026) | https://www.hudl.com/profile/17534118/Amari-Worsham-XP
Signae Houston- William Fleming Guard (c/o 2026) | https://www.hudl.com/profile/18921622/Signae-Houston
Game Three: Patrick Henry Lady Patriots vs Christiansburg Lady Blue Demons
Our third stop for Fantom Hardwood Travels, and the final game of our three game blitz featuring three straight girls varsity basketball games would bring us back to Patrick Henry High School to cover a high stake regional game between the Lady Patriots and the Christiansburg Lady Blue Demons.
Patrick Henry, fresh off a win against William Fleming the night before would look to regroup and refocus as they prepared to face off aganst the Blue Demons who were looking to bounce back in their own ways, with regional implications on the line for both teams.
It was the Lady Patriots who would return to their home court and make a splash as they defeated Christiansburg with a final score of 60-19, extending their win streak to six in a row. Patrick Henry would display full team efforts as every player on the court would contribute throughout the entire game, including the Gibson twins (Ainsley and Addison) who would display lethal accuracy across the court, and Riley Beasley who whould display a complete set of skills throughout the night. Christiansburgs Leila Haley and Sathara Kane would provide a second half spark for the Blue Demons on Friday Night, but it was the Lady Patriots that would dominate throughout.
Patrick Henry will prepare for a three game stretch next week featuring Franklin County and Cave Spring at home and an away trip to Pulaski County.
540 Players To Know:
Ainsley Gibson- Patrick Henry Guard (c/o 26) | https://www.hudl.com/profile/17534096/Ainsley-Gibson
Riley Beasley- Patrick Henry Guard (c/o 2025) | https://www.hudl.com/profile/18584530/Riley-Beasley
Leila Haley- Christiansburg Guard (c/o 2025) | https://www.hudl.com/profile/18828613/Leila-Haley
Sathara Kane- Christiansburg Guard (c/o 2024) | https://www.hudl.com/profile/18828465/Sathara-Kane
Fantom Hardwood Travels will pick back up next week featuring a three game blitz of:
1-24-24: Willam Byrd Lady Terriers vs Hidden Valley Lady Titans | 7 PM
1-25-24: Cave Spring Lady Knights vs Staunton River Lady Golden Eagles | 7 PM
1-26-24: William Fleming Colonels vs Northside Vikings | 7 PM
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