Andrews – Coming off their loss to Cherokee on Dec. 13, the Andrews boys varsity basketball team has put together a three-game win streak. They kicked it off by defeating Robbinsville at home on Dec. 17, then traveling to Highlands and winning on Wednesday, then capping it off by beating Smoky Mountain on Friday.
The Wildcats got their week started by taking on their second Big Smoky Mountain Conference opponent of the season in Robbinsville.
The Cats defeated the Black Knights 51-48 on Dec. 17 to kick off their week.
Both teams kept it close in the opening quarter, but Robbinsville built an early lead to take the 19-14 lead into the second quarter. Keegan Ellis made three-pointers early for Andrews and they also picked up defensive rebounds to give Andrews the lead. Robbinsville then tied it on a free throw, then Ty Clark drove it down to give Andrews the lead back. Robbinsville then made a buzzer beating layup to take a one-point lead heading into halftime.
The game remained tight throughout the third quarter, but with 58 seconds left, Andrews grabbed the lead. Robbinsville tied it up at 39 each on a free throw and they headed to the fourth quarter all tied up.
As the quarter got started, it was tense inside the Ken Solesbee Athletic Center. The fourth quarter saw multiple lead changes as the game came down to the final seconds. Andrews had the lead, but Robbinsville got it back heading into the final minute of the game.
In the final seconds, Gabe Clark nailed a 3-pointer to give Andrews the 51-48 lead. Robbinsville called a timeout with 7.4 seconds left. They then inbounded the ball and drove down the floor as the clock ticked down. With a few seconds left on the clock, LaDannien Rattler cut off a pass to secure the win for the Wildcats.
Two Wildcats were in double digits against Robbinsville as Ty Clark had a double-double including 18 points. Ellis was also in double figures with 12 points.
At Highlands
The Wildcats hit the road for their second game of the week where they defeated Highlands 71-28 on Dec. 18.
The Wildcats opened with a high scoring first quarter where they dropped 22 points and only allowed the Highlanders to score two. In the second quarter, they added on 18 more to take a 40-13 lead to halftime.
Andrews came out of the half and score 10 points in the third quarter and 21 in the fourth to secure the big 71-28 victory.
With the win over Highlands, the Wildcats are now 2-0 against teams from the Little Smoky Mountain Conference this season.
Back home for Smoky
On Friday, the Wildcats returned home to close out the week. To end their week and final game before winter break, they defeated non-conference opponent Smoky Mountain. Earlier in the season they lost to Smoky Mountain 82-62, but this time around they got the 71-60 victory.
Andrews took an early lead and maintained it throughout the contest. They scored 19 points in the first quarter and Smoky Mountain only scored 12. Both teams scored 16 points in the second quarter to give Andrews a 35-28 lead heading into halftime.
Coming out of halftime, the Wildcats continued to outscore the Mustangs. The Wildcats scored 22 in the third quarter to extend their lead heading into the final frame. In the fourth quarter, both teams scored the same amount of points for the second quarter that night. After both teams scored 14 in the fourth quarter, the Wildcats won 71-60.
Against the Mustangs, Ty Clark had his second double-double of the week after scoring 25 points. Ellis was once again in double figures with 15 points and Gabe Clark had 10 points.
Up Next
Coming out of winter break, the Wildcats will host Blue Ridge Early College on Tuesday, Jan. 7, and then host Franklin on Thursday, Jan 9. They will close out the week by traveling to Hiwassee Dam to take on the Eagles on Friday, Jan. 10.