Region success can lead to state berths for Scott County teams

While high school sports have come to an end in Tennessee, regional tournaments are just now beginning in Virginia. All three Scott County schools could have teams playing into next week, including the Gate City boys and girls soccer and tennis teams in Region 2D action. In Region 1D, the Twin Springs softball and baseball teams and the Rye Cove softball team — along with a couple of Rye Cove tennis athletes — will also be in action in the week ahead. *Leading the way is the Gate City boys soccer team, which is 17-1, with its lone loss being a 3-2 decision to Tennessee Class AA state tourney participant Greeneville. The Blue Devils will host Virginia High (9-11) on Thursday in a Region 2D opening round match. Gate City, which has played Graham three straight years in the Region 2D championship — finally winning it last season — could be on a collision course again with the G-Men, which will host the Region 2D semifinals and finals next Tuesday and Thursday at the East River Soccer Complex in Bluefield. Gate City, which would play Union or Marion in the Tuesday semifinals, have outscored its opponents, 70-7, this season. The championship match is slated for next Thursday, with both teams also earning Class 2 state tournament berths. *The Gate City girls soccer team (14-4-2) is looking for similar success, and will open Region 2D quarterfinal action prior to the boys on Thursday against Marion, having earned a tie and win against the Scarlet Hurricanes (7-7-5) during the regular season. If Gate City wins, the Blue Devils travel to Bluefield next Tuesday to face Graham, which advanced to the semifinals due to Union forfeiting to the G-Girls. The championship is next Thursday, with the finalists also earning Class 2 state tournament berths. *In Region 1D action, Twin Springs (13-7) will enter the Region 1D softball tournament on Friday by hosting Hogoheegee District third place finisher Honaker (13-7). The Titans overcame two earlier losses against defending Class 1 state champion Eastside by earning the Cumberland District tournament title over the Spartans on Monday. Twin Springs, which has been led by UVA Wise signee Mackenzie Gillenwater in the circle, needs to win to advance to the semifinals on Monday at Emory & Henry University to face either Rye Cove — for a fourth time this season — Rural Retreat or Grundy. The finals are next Wednesday, with both finalists earning state berths. *The Rye Cove softball team (14-8) kept its season alive by defeating J.I. Burton on Monday to claim third place in the Cumberland District. The Eagles, which won the Class 1 state title in 2024, will host Hogoheegee District third place finisher Rural Retreat (12-11) on Wednesday at 1 p.m. in a Region 1D play-in game. The winner visits Grundy on Friday, with that winning team advancing to the semifinals on Monday against Twin Springs or Honaker at Emory & Henry. The championship game is slated for next Wednesday. *Twin Springs (11-13) kept its baseball season alive by defeating Rye Cove in a Cumberland District third place game, having overcome two earlier losses to the Eagles. The Titans will host Honaker (15-9) on Wednesday in a Region 1D play-in game at Keith Memorial Park in Nickelsville at 5 p.m. Long one of the top programs in Southwest Virginia, the Tigers finished third in the Hogoheegee District behind Patrick Henry and Chilhowie. The winner travels to Enochs Branch in Buchanan County on Friday to face Grundy in a quarterfinal contest. That winner will face either Chilhowie or Castlewood in the semifinals on Monday. The championship game is slated for next Wednesday with both teams state tournament bound. *Both the Gate City boys and girls tennis teams are involved in regional play this week, with the boys facing Eastside quarterfinals on Wednesday, and the girls playing Lebanon on Thursday. Gabe Jenkins, who lost in the Region 2D singles semifinals on Tuesday, will combine doubles efforts with Clayton Parker. Kyra Tate, who is representing the Blue Devils in singles, lost in a three-set thriller with Eden Ward in the doubles finals to a team from Ridgeview. Lexi Shupe is playing singles action for Rye Cove, and will also be involved in doubles with Lindsey Vincent. *Class 1 state high jump defending state champion Jalynn Rogers leads a contingent of local Region 1D athletes that qualified for the Class 1 Outdoor Track State Championships during the Region 1D meet held last Saturday at Emory & Henry's new Food City Sports Complex. In addition to the high jump, Rogers will participate in the triple jump, long jump, 300 hurdles and will be part of the 4x100 relay team on June 5-6 at James Madison University in Harrisonburg. Rye Cove will also be represented by football standout Ethan Lawson, who placed first in the shot put and fourth in the discus, along with Maverick Cress, who was first in the high jump and second in the long jump. Leah Massengale was fourth in the 100 meters and sixth in the 200 meters. Twin Springs freshman Isabella Dingus won the 300 meter hurdles and was second in the 100 hurdles. Clay Ross (400 meters) and Seth Pendergrass (high jump) will also represent the Titans in Harrisonburg. Cash Jones, Caden Fields, Eli Hicks and Jerod Brown-Carter are among the hopefuls for Gate City on Wednesday in the Region 2D meet at Emory & Henry.