Hiwassee Dam – It was a perfect final week of the regular season for the Hiwassee Dam varsity basketball teams.
They started the week by sweeping Highlands at home, then defeated Nantahala to end the regular season. With their wins, both the boys and girls basketball teams secured the No. 1 seed in the Little Smoky Mountain conference tournament.
In the game against Highlands, Brooklyn Orton scored her 1,000th point.
Boys secure No. 1
With their win over Highlands, the Eagles secured the top seed heading into the Little Smoky Mountain Conference tournament. The boys celebrated Senior Night with a 74-51 win over the Highlanders on Feb. 10.
The Eagles took a slim 20-18 lead to the second quarter, then extended their lead in the second quarter. With 13 points in the second period, the Eagles led 33-26 at halftime.
In the third quarter, the Eagles continued to extend their lead and added 17 points to lead 50-41 heading into the fourth quarter. With 24 points in the fourth quarter, the Eagles easily won.
The Eagles were led by Jonah Dockery with 37 points. Jimmy Kelly was also in double digits with 16 points.
Girls earn big win
The Lady Eagles moved one win closer to securing the No. 1 seed ahead of the LSMC tournament with an important win over Highlands. They defeated the Lady Highlanders 50-41 as they celebrated Senior Night on Feb. 10.
Seniors Brooklyn Orton and Brinkley Payne played major roles in the win, as both had double-digit points.
The Lady Eagles got an early lead with 11 points in the first quarter. Highlands had a big second quarter, and it was tied at 21 at halftime.
Coming out of the half, the Lady Eagles scored 14 points to lad 35-31 heading into the fourth quarter. With 15 points in the final quarter, the Lady Eagles picked up the win.
Payne led the Lady Eagles with 25 points. Orton had 14 points, as both seniors scored in double digits against Highlands.
Boys down Hawks
To wrap up the regular season, the Eagles defeated Nantahala 81-69. The Eagles took a four-point lead in the first quarter after dropping 19 points.
They extended their lead in the second quarter with 22 more points to lead 41-30 at halftime. The Eagles continued to outscore the Hawks and led 64-52 heading into the fourth quarter.
Both teams scored 17 points each in the fourth quarter and the Eagles won to end the regular season undefeated in the Little SMC.
After dropping 37 points earlier in the week, Dockery scored a career-high 42 points Thursday night. Also in double digits were Kelly with 13 and Dalton Kester with 11.
Nantahala was led by Cole McCoy with 30 points. Landon Neal had 14 points and Hunter Bryant scored 13.
Girls beat Hawks
The Lady Eagles clinched the No. 1 seed in the Little SMC with their 71-33 win over Nantahala on Thursday night.
Both teams scored eight points in the opening quarter to be tied heading into the second quarter.
The Lady Eagles had a huge quarter as they dropped 27 points to lead 35-16 at halftime. They added 28 more points in the third quarter to lead 63-25 heading into the fourth.
Both teams again scored eight points in the fourth quarter, and the Lady Eagles won to end the regular season with a win.
The Lady Eagles were led by Abby Harris with 18 points. Also in double digits were Payne and Leah Taylor with 13 points each.
Nantahala was led by Delaney McLean with 13 points, while Summer McMahan added 10 points.
Up next
Both teams have the No. 1 seed in the Little SMC tournament, which is being held at Hiwassee Dam.
They played their first round game after the Cherokee Scout’s press time. The championship game will be held Thursday night, with the girls playing at 6 p.m. and the boys playing around 7:30 p.m.