As the dust settles on the first week of 2025, most Western North Carolina teams have wrapped up their exhibition games and kicked off their conference campaigns.
In a significant shake-up, a new contender has grabbed the top spot in this ranking, while another fresh face appears in 10th position.
The Titans are on a remarkable run, having won three straight, culminating in an impressive 13-0 record at the end of exhibition games. Senior Kensly Stewart celebrated a milestone by reaching her 1,000th career point during a phenomenal week, where she helped lead the Titans to a decisive 29-point victory over No. 7 Avery County, propelling them into the lead of the ranking.
At the same time, the Braves slipped one position after taking a week off to kick off their 2025 season. They will be eager to regain their momentum, with senior Whitney Rogers (averaging 16 points per game) and junior Dvdaya Swimmer (15.5 points per game) at the head.
The Wolverines earned a close 58-55 victory over West Henderson, ending a frustrating nine-game winless streak that opened their season. Junior Bailey Staton and senior Kylie Lewis are both key contributors, each averaging over 10 points per game, with senior Kiera Littlejohn close behind them at 9.7 points.
Pisgah started the new year on a high note, defeating Franklin with a thrilling 70-64 overtime victory, bringing them to 2-0 early in their conference schedule. They will soon face another challenge, as they prepare for a highly anticipated clash against Mountain Heritage on January 18.
After a break, the Blues return to the field, ready to face a formidable opponent in Rabun Gap. Senior Ryan Hernandez, who averages an outstanding 18.8 points per game, will lead the Asheville School as they attempt to dethrone the defending champions who are vying for their third straight conference title.
The Cougars started their week by winning the North Henderson Christmas Tournament title, overcoming Travelers Rest (SC) with a score of 42-29, showcasing their depth with a balanced offensive attack that boasts seven players scoring more than five points per game, with junior Callie Capps being the only one to exceed 10 points.
Avery County faced a tough challenge against No. 1 McDowell, suffering a setback despite an impressive 14-point performance from junior Hallie Johnson, who continues her strong start to the season. Johnson, along with leading scorer Marley Jones, prepares for a crucial game against Burnsville that will signal early favorites in the Western Highlands Conference.
Erwin had a thriller game against Asheville High, where Teasia Hines scored a narrow game-winning field goal on her fourth try. The Warriors prepare for a tougher conference schedule ahead, competing against four ranked Mountain Athletic teams except the defending champions Reynolds.
Last week for the Black Hawks didn’t feature any games due to a postponement, but they are preparing to face No. 1 McDowell. Sophomore Aubrey Gilliland, who is averaging 11.5 points per game, will aim to lead North Buncombe to a surprising victory against the high-flying Titans.
Asheville High came so close to a 3-0 weekday triumph but fell just short, losing 51-50 to Erwin on a last-minute basket. Despite the setback, they recovered to improve their record to 8-4 with wins over RS Central and Crest, backed by senior Hayziah Dillingham who is averaging an impressive 12.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 6.7 steals and 5.6 assists.
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