by Lloyd Combs
Sports Reporter
  There were no ties and no lead changes in the Southwest District this season. Grundy made sure of that.
  A triple-double from Jimmy Ashby and double-doubles from Bobby Peck and Cody Billiter helped Grundy claim its first outright SWD regular season crown since 1996 with a 99-61 rout of Tazewell Thursday night at GHS.
  The following night, Richlands ended Grundy’s 12-game winning streak with a 74-56 upset of the Golden Wave in the regular season finale for both clubs.
  Thursday’s win helped Grundy secure a Region IV playoff berth and avoid sharing the SWD boys crown again. The Golden Wave was part of a three-way tie for first-place honors last year and a four-team playoff for the title the previous season.
  “That was one of our goals, to avoid another playoff,” Grundy coach Greg Rife said. “That’s one reason we stressed 100 percent effort every night out. This is a competitive district.
  “Anyone is still capable of knocking anyone else off on a given night. We can’t afford to take anyone lightly.”
  Grundy, which won the four-way playoff in 2005 and a two-team playoff for the SWD regular season title in 1999, won the title by two full games this season. Its high-octane transition game is a key reason.
  The Golden Wave just missed the 100-point mark, missing its last seven shot attempts Thursday. But the numbers were still impressive.
  Ashby contributed 22 points, 18 rebounds and 11 blocked shots, while Peck tossed in 22 points and handed out 13 assists to go with eight boards and five steals.
  Billiter scored a game-high 27 points and claimed 10 rebounds, while point guard D.J. Gelenster added 18 points, eight assists and four steals for Grundy, which had 31 assists on 39 field goals.  
  “We’ve stressed teamwork from day one, and the kids have responded,” Rife said. “We’ve tried every day to remain focused in practice and keep our intensity up at all times.
  “We had a good first half and a good night scoring, but Tazewell put some impressive numbers, too. (Coach) Lee (Walker) has a young team. They’re rebuilding this year, but they’re going to be pretty tough next year..”

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by Lloyd Combs
Sports Reporter
  Hurley closed out the regular season with a pair of Black Diamond District wins last week.
  The Rebels held Council scoreless over the final 6:20 to preserve a 43-32 Black Diamond District win Wednesday night at Hurley High School.
  In BDD action Friday at HHS, the host Rebels edged Haysi, 47-41.
  Despite hitting its last field goal at the 5:26 mark, Hurley held on for Wednesday’s victory, thanks in part to Scottie Hurley, who hit six straight free throws in the final 1:06.
  “Council was sitting back in that 2-3 zone,” Hurley coach Mark Cooper said. “When we got a four-point lead we rolled the dice and decided to hold the ball, and it worked.
  “Scottie’s clutch at the end of the game. That’s who we wanted to have the ball at the end of the game.
  Scottie’s shooting 89 percent from the line this year and he stepped up tonight.”

  Council secured second place in the Black Diamond District standings with a 64-32 win over Hurley Wednesday night at Hurley High School.
 The makeup contest was originally scheduled the previous night.
  Stephanie Cornett poured in a game-high 26 points for Council (15-6, 6-2 BDD), which was scheduled to play Haysi last night (Wednesday) in the BDD girls semifinals.
  The Lady Cobras made a modest run near the end of the first half and began to pull away from the upset-minded Lady Rebels.
  A 9-2 run gave Council a 26-17 halftime lead. A 23-5 spurt that spanned most of the third quarter staked the Lady Cobras to a 49-22 advantage.
  Cornett grabbed eight rebounds, came away with four steals and dished out three assists for the Lady Cobras. Katie Thomas added 11 points and four steals for Council. 
  Patricia Citarelli led Hurley (2-18, 0-8) with 12 points. Brandie Lester had 10 rebounds and Celisha Allen added eight points and eight boards for the Lady Rebels, who took an early lead and got within 17-15 late in the second quarter.