Avery native is Vikings’ all-time assists leader
Avery County native Hannah McIntosh, a decorated varsity player at Avery, is the new Mitchell High girls’ varsity basketball coach. She takes over a Mitchell team that went 9-16. (Cory Spiers/Staff)
It’s the dawn of a new era for Mitchell High varsity girls’ basketball.
Avery County native Hannah McIntosh is the team’s next head coach, the school announced this past week.
McIntosh takes over a Mitchell team that just finished the season 9-16 overall, including a 4-8 mark in Western Highlands Conference play. The team made the 1A state playoffs but fell in the opening round at Albermarle.
McIntosh takes over for Travise Pitman. Pitman, also the school’s varsity football head coach and athletic director, coached the team after the departure of Zack McCartha, who left after the 2020-21 season to coach the varsity girls at McDowell, his alma mater.
McCartha led the team to a 22-6 record in 2019-20.
The team thrived again under McCartha during the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season in which the Mountaineers went 16-1 overall, including a spotless 10-0 mark in conference play.
The Lady Mountaineers went 13-11 during Pitman’s first year at the helm in 2021-22.
McIntosh comes to Mitchell as an accomplished varsity player herself. She played four years of varsity basketball at Avery High and is the program’s all-time assists leader.
She went on to play college basketball on scholarship at Mars Hill. She played for two years before her playing career ended with an injury.
McIntosh graduated with a bachelor’s in physical education. Since then, she’s served as Avery’s junior varsity head coach and as an assistant head coach for the varsity squad.
McIntosh enjoyed plenty of success in her most recent campaign as JV head coach. She led the team to a 16-2 overall record, including a perfect mark in conference play. The junior varsity Vikings notched the conference title and won the conference tournament.
McIntosh was introduced to her new players on Tuesday, March 21 in the Mitchell gym.
“I have a passion for coaching and education and I strive to not only improve myself but my players and students surrounding me,” McIntosh said. “I appreciate Mitchell County Schools for giving me the opportunity to follow my dreams of coaching and teaching. I look forward to this new journey and I plan to give my all for the Mitchell Mountaineers.”