Candler – There’s no such thing as moral victories, but Murphy boys basketball can take a lot away from its performance against Enka on Friday night.
The Jets entered the game as the No. 2 team in the 3A West, according to the state’s RPI rankings. Murphy jumped out to a big lead and led in the third quarter before fading late and falling 88-73.
“We knew we were going to face an extremely good basketball team in Enka,” Murphy head coach Erik Laney said. “We asked our team to travel and compete, and they did just that. They competed hard, and had an opportunity to win if we perform better in the second half.”
When the two teams met on Dec. 8, many Bulldogs players were still getting their basketball legs under them after transitioning from football. They were still learning how to play as a team and Enka took advantage, rolling to a 90-63 win.
This game was different, as Murphy (6-9 overall) jumped out to a 21-5 lead. The Bulldogs got off to a hot start from the field and played with a little more tenacity than Enka (14-1) was expecting. Against a bigger Jets team, they competed on the glass early for second chance opportunities and held tough against 6-foot, 5-inch Ian Clinkscales-King and a stable of quick guards who could get to the rim.
“We came out hot, playing solid defense and making some big shots,” Laney said. “Our team got off the bus ready to play and had a great first half.”
The Bulldogs still led 24-14 at the end of the first quarter, but as good teams do, Enka chipped away. Back-to-back baskets by Clinkscales-King and Jacob Adair gave the Jets their first lead of the night at 35-32, but layups by Dillian Brown and Dozer Mashburn gave Murphy a 36-35 lead at halftime.
The Bulldogs started the second half strong, punching first by extending their lead to 47-40. That’s when Enka asserted itself, going on a 23-7 run to end the third quarter.
The Jets’ guards used their speed to get to the rim, and Murphy started to tire slightly from the frenetic pace. Still, the door was open heading into the fourth quarter.
Hunter Laney cut the lead to 66-61, and the Bulldogs forced a steal and had a chance to make it a one possession game. Unfortunately, Murphy gave it right back with 6:34 remaining and would get no closer.
Clinkscales-King would hit two from the foul line on the Jets next possession to push the lead back to seven. The Bulldogs couldn’t get enough stops, and when they did and were fouled, struggled at the foul line, hitting just two of seven free throws in the fourth quarter.
“Their big dude is a beast in the paint,” junior guard Dillian Brown said. “Every guard they have can shoot the ball. They’re quick, they’re athletic. They’re a good team and good competition to play.”
Even with a loss, Murphy can still use this game as it heads into the final month of the season, starting with games against Highlands and Blue Ridge this week. The Bulldogs played the Highlanders on Tuesday, which unless delayed took place after this week’s edition of the Cherokee Scout went to press, and they play the Bobcats on Friday.