Hayesville – After notching wins in the first round of the Big Smoky Mountain Conference tournament, the boys and girls varsity Bulldogs fell in round two.
The Lady Dogs took on the top-seeded Cherokee and lost, 81-14. The boys also took on top-seeded Robbinsville and lost, 76-64.
Boys varsity
After taking down the host school Hayesville in the first round of the conference tournament, the Dogs fell to Robbinsville 76-64 in the second round.
Abram Twiggs got the scoring going for the Dogs on a 3-pointer. Despite Murphy putting points on the board, Robbinsville got out to an early lead. Robbinsville hit a buzzer-beater to end the first quarter with the Dogs leading 24-14.
In the second quarter, Robbinsville went on a run to extend their lead to 13. In the final minute, the Dogs took a turn scoring in bunches to cut into Robbinsville’s lead. Aaron Harger made a last-second layup to marrow the margin to nine points at the half.
Coming out of halftime, Murphy kept it close. The Dogs were slowly cutting into the lead, but Robbinsville still maintained it. Murphy went on a late run to cut their lead to five points heading into the fourth quarter.
Robbinsville led 49-44 heading into the fourth quarter, but by almost halfway through the Black Knights extended their lead to 59-48. The Dogs tried, but couldn’t get any momentum late in the game. Robbinsville went on to eliminate Murphy from the conference tournament.
The Dogs were led by Connor Golden, who had 15 points. Tyler Payen and Cale Harger both had 12 points, while Grayson was also in double digits with 10.
The Bulldogs are the No. 17 seed in the state 1A playoffs and traveled to play Uwharrie Charter, the No. 16 seed, after the Cherokee Scout’s press time Tuesday night. Results will be in the March 5 edition of the local newspaper.
Girls varsity
The Lady Dogs defeated Robbinsville in the first round of the conference tournament to advance to the second round. In the second round, they were met with the top-seeded Cherokee, the reigning 1A state champions, and lost 81-14 to the tough opponent.
Cherokee did what they’ve been doing all season, scoring quick and scoring a lot.
The Lady Braves got out to a 22-2 first quarter lead. The only Lady Dog bucket was by Julia Dockery.
The Lady Braves added 27 more points in the second quarter to lead 49-7 at halftime. Ilie Smith scored the Lady Dogs’ five points.
Coming out of halftime, the Lady Braves built a 69-12 lead. The Lady Dogs’ five points in the third quarter were scored by Kennedy White and Ella Howard.
Cherokee closed out the game in the fourth quarter. Charlie Stalcup scored Murphy’s lone bucket in the fourth quarter, while Smith led the Lady Dogs with five points against the Lady Braves.
The Lady Bulldogs are the No. 27 seed in the state 1A playoffs and coincidentally also traveled to play Uwharrie Charter, the No. 6 seed, after the Cherokee Scout’s press time Tuesday night. Results will be in the March 5 edition of the local newspaper.