By JONATHAN GREENE
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
GARDNER — When Hope Nester arrived at PikeView, she made her presence known on the floor as she helped guide the Lady Panthers to the state tournament.
Not bad for being just a freshman.
As a sophomore, Nester has begun to expand her game and not be just a scoring threat for PikeView. The 5-foot-5 point guard is working toward becoming an all-around player.
“Hope is really maturing this year,” PikeView head coach Karen Miller said. “She’s becoming the point guard that we want her to be. We look back at every game and she’s learning to do all the things a point guard needs to do. She has stepped up the leadership part of being the point guard.”
While her scoring may be down some this year, Nester’s other statistics are either equal or up compared to last year. She is averaging 12.8 points per game, 3.2 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 5.6 steals.
“As a point guard, points aren’t everything,” Nester said. “You are the one that makes the plays happen. You are the one in control.
“I guess I make the decision to take the shot, take it in or pass it off. I think I’ve been able to see the floor more and make the pass. I’m getting more mature in the game.”
Miller agreed, “This year her points may be down, but she’s looking for other people. She’s getting assists. She’s getting steals.”
Nester has come on even stronger in PikeView’s last three outings. She scored 46 points, dished out 14 assists, grabbed 16 rebounds and had 17 steals in three victories against River View, Greenbrier West and James Monroe. For her performances, Nester earned Pocahontas Coal Association/ Bluefield Daily Telegraph Player of the Week honors.
“I want to thank my teammates, because without them, I couldn’t do anything,” Nester said.
Those three wins are part of a bigger six-game winning streak for PikeView. The Panthers started off the season with a win over Shady Spring then dropped four straight. Included in the that streak were losses to Spring Valley (No. 8 in AAA), Princeton (No. 7 in AAA) and Westside (No. 3 in AA).
“When we started out, we were definitely a little rough,” Nester said. “I think as time goes on and we play more together, we learn more about each other. We’re able to make better decisions with each other. Time has a lot to do with.”
The turning point though may have been a 56-43 victory over Frankfurt on New Year’s Eve in the Capital City Showcase.
“As coaching staff, we’ve talked to them and they’re committed to what we want them to do,” Miller said. “We got a big win when we to Charleston against Frankfurt and it’s just been rolling since then. They’re really excited. They’re willing to play team ball.”
Nester added, “They were a very good team. I think that we knew we had to come out and play a good game to be able to beat them. I think we stepped up and we met the challenge. Now that we know where we can be, I think that’s helping us play to our potential.”
A key to the streak may also be Nester’s ability to be on the floor more. Last year, she was prone to getting into foul trouble and spending large stretches on the bench.
“Working on the outside jumper definitely helps on the charges,” Nester laughed. “I’ve got a few charges so far, but I’m not perfect yet. I’m not going to say that I’ve kept myself from getting in foul trouble, because I still do. I think I’m getting smarter and making better decisions.”
Miller added, “There has been maybe one or two games where she’s fouled out. She’s working on that. Most of the time when playing a tough team if she’s not in foul trouble, our chances are much better.
“With any team we play if she’s not in foul trouble, we’re okay. An example last year is when we played Summers County in the sectional championship game, she got in foul trouble. We were doing well then things started turning. If she stays out of foul trouble, we’ll be okay.”
PikeView still has half of their schedule left and face several challenges including Summers County twice and Westside once. That hasn’t detered Nester and the Panthers as they still have their sights set on Charleston.
“We have a good chance,” Nester said of getting back to Charleston. “It’s not going to be easy. I think we have a chance to get back or go farther than we did. Summers is definitely going to be a challenge.
“Even if we aren’t able to win against them, we still have a chance like we did last year. We can play the No. 1 team on the other side for the regional. We have a good chance, but we have to keep working toward that goal.”
PikeView hosts Bluefield tonight after welcoming Wyoming East into Gardner on Thursday.
• • •
Special honorable mention goes to Candace Brown of Summers County, for another exceptional week of action.
The floor leader of the Bobcats had 85 points and 21 rebounds in two games, along with 9 steals, 5 assists and 6 blocks as Summers County defeated James Monroe before falling to Scott.
— Contact Jonathan Greene
at jgreene@bdtonline.com

HONORABLE MENTION
for Jan. 9-14
Bland County (1-1 during the week): Amber Eaton, 21 points; Jessie Blessing, 17 points in loss to Grayson County.
Bluefield (0-1): Sheila Hopkins, 18 points vs. Nicholas Co.
Giles (1-0): Lyndsey Jackson, 19 points.
Graham (1-2): Liz Workman, 28 points; Tori Repass, 16 points in loss to Giles.
Grundy (2-0): Hannah Stiltner, 27 points; Loni Webb, 24 points.
Haysi (0-1): Irin Hyden, 13 points; Brittany Roark, 10 points.
Hurley (0-2): Daisy Mullins, 17 points; Shanice Justus, 13 points, 14 rebounds vs. Grundy.
James Monroe (0-1): Kelsie Mann, 19 points, 14 rebounds vs. Summers Co.; Melissa Johnston, 18 points, 8 rebounds; Jordan Page, 15 points, 7 assists.
Montcalm (0-1): Miranda Kendrick, 20 points vs. Mount View; Leslie Kelley, 13 points.
Mount View (1-0): Ashley Belfiore, 24 points vs. Montcalm; Jordan Younger, 12 points.
Narrows (0-1): Tiffany Perdue, 10 points; Samantha Weatherly, 8 points, 12 rebounds.
PikeView (2-0): Jennifer Taylor, 15 points, 3 steals vs. Greenbrier West.
Princeton (1-1): McKenzie Akers, 40 points; Hannah Preservati 21 points; Marissa Mullins, 14 points, 9 r ebounds in win over GW; Kendria Perkins, 10 points, 8 rebounds vs. GW.
Richlands (0-1): Brittany Allen, 18 points vs. Lebanon.
Tazewell (0-1): Taylor Catron, 19 points; Whitney Saunders, 10 points.
Twin Valley (1-0): Katelyn Jackson, 19 points vs. Hurley; Rachel Horn, 13 points, 9 rebounds; Brandi Rose, 13 points, 5 assists; Emily McClanahan, 11 points.