Girls prep basketball: Rivals Eagles, Spartans meet Friday in Fairlea

Much like last season, Greenbrier East romped through December and hopes to keep the ball rolling for the start of the new year.

Woodrow Wilson looks to have something to say about that.

The old rivals will meet Friday night at Greenbrier East. Tip-off will be 7:30 p.m.

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The Class AAAA No. 5 Flying Eagles (4-1) will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak to the Spartans. Their last win in the series came on Jan. 13, 2022, 56-42 in Beckley.

Woodrow won its first four games of the season before falling 52-39 to George Washington on Monday in the Winter Classic in Summersville.

The Spartans, meanwhile, ran the table in December and sit at 7-0, ranked No. 1 in Class AAA in the statewide coaches poll. This season is looking similar to last, when the Spartans won their first 16 games and spent the majority of the season in the top spot.

Three of their seven wins have come against Class AAA top 10 teams, and most recently over Class AAAA No. 6 Martinsburg in the final of their Spartan Holiday Showcase. East also defeated Lord Botetourt, the reigning Virginia Class 3 champion.

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Both teams have been getting contributions from several sources.

The Flying Eagles’ leading scorer is Zoey Williams at 16.8 points per game. She is also averaging 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks. Senior point guard Donya Burton checks in at 9.6 points, 5.6 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 2.4 steals.

Senior forward Alauna Ellis is at 8.8 points and 8.8 rebounds.

Leading the Spartans have been a pair of returning first-team all-staters in senior point guard Kennedy Stewart and junior guard Ava Workman.

Stewart averages 19.9 points per game and is a 40 percent 3-point shooter. She is also good for 6.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 3.3 steals. Workman averages 18.9 points along with 4.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.9 steals.

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Senior guard/forward Sandy Banton averages 7.0 ppg and 7.3 rpg. Senior Mackenna McClure (G/F) is next at 8.1 ppg and 8.0 rpg. Senior center Hanna Fuller is contributing 6.9 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks.