Andrews – With a win over Summit Charter Monday night, the Andrews girls varsity basketball team is heading to the West Regional round of the 1A state playoffs.
After a first-round bye, the Lady Wildcats took down a team at home, then on the road they returned home for the fourth round after a big road win.
In the second round of the state 1A playoffs, the Lady Wildcats defeated Chatham Charter. They then hit the road and defeated The College Prep & Leadership Academy, the No. 3 seed in 1A West.
They returned home Monday to face Summit Charter in a battle of Big vs. Little Smoky Mountain Conference opponents.
Cats beat Summit
In a battle of Big vs. Little Smoky Mountain Conference, Big SMC prevailed as the Lady Wildcats defeated Summit Charter 46-42.
In a battle with a familiar foe, the Lady Wildcats faced off against Summit Charter on Monday with a chance to go to the West Regional round.
The Lady Cats took an early 13-9 lead heading into the second quarter.
With 18 points in the second quarter, Andrews led 31-16 at halftime.
Summit Charter closed the gap in the third quarter as the Lady Cats struggled to score. Andrews stayed ahead and led 33-31 heading into the fourth quarter.
Andrews outscored Summit Charter 13-11 in the fourth quarter to hang on and win the game 46-42.
Knox Davis led the Lady Cats with 20 points, including six 3-pointers. Marley Blackwell was also in double digits with 11 points.
With the win, they advance to face Robbinsville in the West Regional round held at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory at 3 p.m. Thursday.
Girls beat Royals
With a huge road win over the No. 2-seeded The College Prep & Leadership Academy, the Lady Wildcats advanced to the fourth round of the playoffs. The Lady Wildcats battled and took down the higher seed 45-41.
Andrews led most of the game en route to securing the big win. It was close early, with both teams scoring 12 points in the first quarter.
The Lady Wildcats added 14 points in the second quarter to lead 26-21 at halftime.
Andrews continued to add to its lead in the third quarter and headed into the fourth quarter ahead 34-27 before fending off a late push from the Lady Royals.
Cats down Knights
The Lady Cats kicked off their playoff run Feb. 25 at home with a 61-34 win over Chatham Charter.
Andrews got a strong start with 14 points in the opening quarter as they held the Knight to just nine points. The Cats followed it up with 12 more points in the second quarter to lead 26-17 at halftime.
The third quarter was their highest scoring, as the Lady Cats dropped 22 points to extend their lead to 48-26. Andrews closed out the game with 13 points in the fourth quarter.
Davis led the Lady Wildcats with 23 points, while Drea Cutshaw added 11.