Bryson City – After a tough start to conference play, Andrews boys basketball knew it needed to get back in the win column at the Maroon Devils Christmas Classic.
Despite losing to Smoky Mountain 52-48 in the opening game, the Wildcats were able to bounce back the next day with a 64-53 win over Polk County.
“We needed a win bad,” Andrews head coach Matt Maennle said. “I feel like we should’ve gotten one yesterday but we just didn’t play well yesterday. The guys knew we needed a win, and they came out and take care of it.”
Entering the tournament on a three game losing streak, the Wildcats (4-6 overall) also had to deal with a depleted roster in Bryson City. Against the Mustangs (2-5) they were missing two players, then another two were out against the Wolverines (5-4). Luckily for Andrews, junior guard Donovan Bateman returned after missing the last five games due to injury, and scored 11 points.
The Wildcats got out to a hot start from the perimeter, hitting five threes in the opening frame and then another from Bateman early in the second quarter. Andrews would finish the game with a season-high nine threes.
The Wildcats would control the game for the whole first half, but the Wolverines cut the lead to six in the third quarter. Andrews would close the quarter strong, going on an 8-0 run to close the frame that became an 11-0 run on a Bateman three-pointer early in the fourth quarter. Polk County was not able to make it a game again thanks to a strong defensive effort led by junior Cole Anderson and some good decisions on the offensive end.
“They knew we needed a basket and they got it in the right person’s hand.” Maennle said. “Isaac Weaver’s been playing lights out. The big thing was getting Donovan Bateman back today, back from his injury a lot sooner than we expected. Just getting the ball where it needs to be, working through those guys.
“It was good to see them fight at the end there and have them finish the game.”
Andrews lost lose 54-36 to Mountain Heritage (7-3) the next day to finish sixth in the tournament.
Girls team learning
While the Andrews boys got back in the win column at Swain, the Lady Wildcats were unable to do the same. They dropped all three of their games and have now lost six straight.
Andrews (1-10) lost to tournament runner-up Smoky Mountain 65-12, Tuscola 48-30 and Hayesville 60-26. While the games against the Lady Mustangs (6-3) and Lady Yellow Jackets (5-6) weren’t competive, Andrews competed with the Lady Mountaineers (3-9). Tuscola led by as many as 22 early in the third quarter, but Andrews went on a 16-2 run to cut the lead to eight early in the fourth quarter.
After a missed three that would’ve trimmed the lead to five, the Lady Mountaineers closed the game on a 12-2 run.
“I want them to take away that they can compete when they play the right way,” Andrews head coach Eric Duong said. “I think before we even talk about winning we got to be able to compete.”
Both Andrews teams were back in action Tuesday at Robbinsville, which ended after this week’s edition of the Cherokee Scout went to press. The Wildcats host Murphy on Friday.