Boys team loses to Smoky Mountain
Cannon Crompton/sports@cherokeescout.com Kylie Donaldson of Andrews steps to the free throw line against Murphy on Feb. 6.
Sylva – The Andrews girls varsity team started their 2024-25 season with a 66-63 win over the Lady Mustangs on Nov. 20.
The game was neck and neck throughout. It all came down to the final minute of the season opener.
The Mustangs took the lead with less than a minute left, but fouled the Lady Wildcats. The Wildcats made the most of it and took the late lead on free throws.
As the clock expired, the Lady Mustangs took a shot from the logo that hit the backboard but failed to go in. This resulted in the Lady Wildcats kicking off their season with a win.
The Wildcats’ next game is on the road Saturday, when they travel to take on their next non-conference opponent Franklin. The girls tip-off at 6:30 p.m., while the boys start at 8 p.m.
The Wildcats will then return home to take on Tuscola next Tuesday. The girls tip-off at 6:30 p.m. The boys will start at 8 p.m., or 10 minutes after the conclusion of the girls varsity game.
varsity basketball teams kicked off their season last week night with a trip to Smoky Mountain.
Boys team loses
The boys varsity team fell to the Mustangs 82-68 despite a hard-fought game Friday night.
The Mustangs took a slim early lead with 22 points in the first quarter to lead by five heading into the second. The first quarter was tight with multiple lead changes.
Both teams scored 15 points in the second quarter, when the Mustangs took a 37-32 lead into halftime. The Mustangs began to pull away in the third until the Cats brought close at the end of the quarter to only trail by five points.
The Wildcats outscored the Mustangs coming out of halftime with 22 points in the third quarter. Midway through the third quarter, the Mustangs took a 10-point lead for the second time in the game, but the Wildcats scored points late to bring it close heading into the final frame.
The Cats trailed 58-54 heading into the fourth quarter, but Smoky Mountain outscored them 23-14 for the win. The game remained close until Smoky Mountain began to pull away late.
Ty Clark led the Wildcats with 21 points. Keegan Ellis had 20 points, with a team-leading four three-pointers made. Ellis also went 2-2 on free throws and had five assists.
Clark and Logan Shuler led the team with five rebounds each. Gabe Clark led the team with three steals.
The Wildcats bested the Mustangs in the paint and scoring on turnovers. The Cats had 36 points in the paint and scored 15 points off turnovers.