Five girls from the Craig County High basketball team were recently named to the All-Pioneer District team. Freshman Kailyn Jones is a first team selection while sophomores Kallie Fisher and Daileigh Donithan were named to the second team. Honorable Mention went to junior Brooklyn Cayton(xxxx) and sophomore Jenna Boitnotte. Record File Photos.
The Craig County girls saw their basketball season come to an end with a loss to Fort Chiswell in the Region 1C basketball tournament. The Rockets dropped a 74-34 decision to a strong Pioneer team in Max Meadows.
“We got hammered,” said Craig coach Brock Jones. “They were the defending 2023 Region champs. They’re fast, long and physical and they had good team play and their maturity level was above par.”
Fort Chiswell went on to beat Parry McCluer, who was undefeated in Pioneer District games, by 31 points after beating the Rockets, then they lost to George Wythe for the fourth time this year. Fort Chiswell finished 20-6 and four of the six losses were to George Wythe.
Craig finished the season with an 8-13 overall record and had five underclassmen named to the All-Pioneer District team, including first team selection Kailyn Jones as a freshman. Kailyn led the Pioneer District in points per game with 16.85, rebounds per game with 14.9 and blocks per game with 5.4.
“I couldn’t be more proud of Kailyn,” said coach Jones, who is also her dad. “I don’t get to enjoy the fans’ view of watching my own child play as others do. I am coaching 13 other kids and until I break down film or rewatch the game I rob myself short of cheering on my daughter. Tommy Fisher will tell me the stats for all the kids after the game and sometimes I am mind blown of Kailyn’s rebounds and have to go back and watch the film to make sure. Until now, since the season is over, it doesn’t sink in with me, but man am I super proud of my kid and the work she puts in.”
Two Rockets were named to the second team, and both are sophomores. Daileigh Donithan averaged 7.3 points per game and made 31 three point shots this year.
“Top five shooter in the district,” said Jones. “I would throw Daileigh out there against anyone in the district for a shot for shot comparison.”
Kallie Fisher also made the second team. She averaged 5.6 points per game, 3.4 assists per game and 2.85 steals a game.
“She’s the starter for the offense at the point guard spot,” said Jones. “Best ball handler we have and she runs the show for us.”
Junior Brooklyn Cayton and sophomore Jenna Boitnotte were Honorable Mention. Brooklyn led the team in steals and usually guarded the other team’s best player. Jenna was a strong defensive player and one of the most improved players on the team.
“I’m 100 percent proud and glad I was able to fight and present their skill levels as we got five basketball players voted on all-districts,” said Jones. “I would like to know the last time a Craig County High School team had five girls represented on all-districts in basketball? This group of girls is outstanding! And what makes me even more proud and happy is that most of the girls have asked me when we are going back to work with open gyms and camps, as they see finishing third in the district as successful but they aren’t satisfied. Their goal is set on a district title in the next few years.”
Craig had just one senior on the team, Ashley Cayton, so the sky is the limit for the future success of the Rocket team.
“They know it’s going to take a lot of hard work and a strong mind set to block out the negativity outside of the program and just focus on us as a team,” said Jones. “We are working on team chemistry and ‘team first’ attitudes, but you couldn’t ask for a better group of young kids to coach. I’m ready to get back and get going right now.”
