The Huskies played the Cardinals close all the way through, but could not come out on top in the end. East Wilkes held on for a 44-38 win.
Ashe took an early 7-6 lead with a three-pointer from Zach Lawrence, and two points each from Eli Gambill and Anderson Moore. East finished the first with five points from Chandler Bare and a basket from Avery Wallis to take a 13-8 lead after one.
The Cardinals extended its advantage early on with a three-point play from Jathan Sales and a three-pointer from Wallis to go up 11 points in the second quarter of action. This time, Ashe closed the quarter strong with four points from Johnathan Cox and a shot from Gambill. East was still in front 23-17 at the half.
In the third quarter, Ashe cut the deficit to four after the frame with four more from Cox, and buckets from Gambill and Seth Sheets.
Entering the fourth, the game was there for the taking for both teams. East opened strong with four points from Wallis and a layup from McKinley Johnson to go ahead 36-26.
The Huskies kept fighting back. Jordan Spell knocked down a long three-point shot, then Cox drove to the hoop for two tough layups, and Alex Laws nailed a long three-pointer to get back to within a single point at 37-36.
With just over a minute left, the Cardinals were on top 40-36 when Laws stole a pass at mid-court and drove to the basket for two points.
After a Husky foul, Johnson was only able to hit one of two from the line with 39 seconds left.
However, Ashe could not capitalize as a layup attempt rolled off the rim with 26 ticks remaining on the clock.
This time Bare went one for two at the line to put the Cardinals up 42-38. With 10 seconds left, an Ashe jumpshot was short and East secured the rebound. Wallis hit a pair of free throws to seal the victory.
Ashe dropped to 2-5 overall and 1-3 in the Mountain Valley Athletic Conference.
Wallis finished with 14 to lead all scorers. Bare chipped in with 10 and Johnson had eight.
Cox finished with 12 points, nine rebounds and seven steals for Ashe. Gambill added six points and seven boards while Spell put in six points. Laws had five points and dished out three assists. Sheets and Lawrence each scored three points, Moore finished with two and Anthony Federico hit one free throw.
The Huskies return to action on Tuesday at Avery County.
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