Murphy – Will Joyner put up six 3-pointers in the first half, but he made four of them to help Murphy build a 48-25 halftime lead and go on to defeat Cherokee 69-57 on Jan. 23.
Joyner was a 3-point machine in this game, as he went 5-7 from long range, added a field goal and went 4-6 at the charity stripe to finish with 21 points. The Dogs (12-5) outplayed Cherokee (8-7) in every facet of the game.
Dominick Rummler and Zack Skogen had nine rebounds apiece. Rummler popped for eight points in the paint and added two free throws for 10 points on the night. Although Skogen’s point total was down, three of his rebounds were on offensive, and he dished out four assists on the night.
Point guard, Xander Wachacha was a free-throw shooting machine in the first half, as he hit 6-7 from the charity stripe. Wachacha added two field goals and another free throw to end with 11 points; he also distributed the ball well, dishing out seven assists.
Murphy jumped out to a 23-point halftime lead. When the Braves came out in third period, when the Dogs rested some of their starters, Cherokee took advantage and outscored Murphy 14-7 in the period to close their deficit to 13 points.
Cherokee continued its run in the fourth period and got as close as nine points with 3:51 left in the game, but that was where the run ended. Murphy outscored the Braves 8-4 in the final three minutes to seal the win.
Joyner finished the night with a 71 percent average from 3-point land. When asked how it feels to be a 3-point hitting machine, he gave a big grin and said, “It feels pretty good.”
Cherokee was led by Elijah Lineberry with 16 points, and Luke Smith added 12.
Bulldogs beat Blue Ridge 84-31
The three-point barrage continued when the Bulldogs took on Blue Ridge Early College on Thursday night. Will Joyner went 5-7 in 3-pointers, but he was not the only Dog launching from long range.
Xander Wachacha went 4-7 from the 3-point range, while Wachacha added 10 points inside the paint. When you add Dominick Rummler, who scored 12 points and 12 rebounds inside the paint, it makes for a deadly combination for the other team.
The Dogs jumped out to a 45-18 first-half lead and they never looked back on their way to an 84-31 win. Murphy outscored the Bobcats in every quarter.
The Bulldogs outshot the Bobcats 53-22 percent. Murphy’s defense also had a great game, scoring 25 points off of turnovers and outrebounded the Bobcats on the defensive boards 31-17.
Wachacha led all scorers with 22 points. Joyner added 19 points, and Rummler popped for 14, as Murphy improved to 11-5 on the season.