Avery Sheriff Makes ‘Friendly Wager’ With Alleghany Sheriff on Fourth Round of HS Basketball Championships

By Jesse Wood

March 4, 2014. With Avery High School and Alleghany High School men’s basketball squads facing each other in the fourth round of the state championships on Wednesday, Avery County Sheriff Kevin Frye and Alleghany County Sheriff David Edwards made a “friendly wager” on the game.

If Alleghany wins, then Frye “must have a picture made wearing and continue to wear all day” a piece of Alleghany apparel chosen by Edwards – and vice versa, according to a release issued by the Avery County Sheriff’s Office.

Both issued statements on the wager:

“Sheriff Frye is a great sheriff and friend, but on this issue he is wrong. Our boys have played hard all year, we have overcome and we will have victory after tomorrow night’s game,” Edwards said. “Sheriff Frye is president of our Sheriff’s Association and has led the state well, but after tomorrow night’s game, Alleghany County Trojans will be the leaders.”

“Sheriff Edwards is such a wonderful sheriff and friend, and I know he really wants to believe his county is going to win, but I have watched these boys play all year, I have seen their heart, their selflessness and their desire, and I feel confident Sheriff Edwards will be wearing read and black after tomorrow night’s game,” Frye said. “Sheriff Edwards knows about being sheriff better than about anyone I know, but basketball is a whole different matter.”

The winner of the matchup, which takes place at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5, at UNC-Greensboro’s Fleming Gym, moves onto the final four of the 1A state championships.

Avery (25-4, 12-0) is the No. 2 seed in the West division, while Alleghany (22-6, 11-4) is the No. 5 seed in the West division. Tickets can only be purchased at UNC Greensboro prior to the game for $9.

The winner will face the winner of the Midwest contest between Albemarle and Winston-Salem on March 8 at 2 p.m. See tournament bracket here. 

Avery High School was offering a fan charter bus for $25 per person and a student bus at $5. Those interested in riding were requested to call the high school receptionist at 828-733-0151 by 3 p.m. Tuesday.