In a week on the road, the Hiwassee Dam varsity basketball teams picked up four Little Smoky Mountain Conference wins.
They swept the week starting with the boys and girls defeating Blue Ridge Early College, then they both took down Highlands. The game in Highlands was moved up to Thursday to avoid the threat of winter weather Friday night.
Boys beat Bobcats
Four Eagles posted double digit points as they defeated Blue Ridge Early College 73-33 on Jan. 20. In the Eagles and Bobcats’ first meeting of the season, the teams faced off in Cashiers.
The Eagles took a huge lead in the first quarter with 21 points, led by Dalton Kester and Jonah Dockery’s six points each. They extended their lead with 17 points in the second quarter to lead 38-12 at halftime.
By halftime, Dockery and Jimmy Kelly already had double-digit points on the night. The Eagles kept soaring in the third quarter with 23 more points to take a 61-23 lead to the final quarter.
The Eagles triggered a running clock in the third quarter after leading by 35 points. They closed out the game with 12 points in the fourth quarter.
The Eagles were led by Dockery with 21 points, with nine of his points coming from the free-throw line. Also in double digits were Kelly with 16, Abel Penland with 11 and Xavier Johnson with 10.
Girls blowout Bobcats
The Lady Eagles got back in the win column as they defeated Blue Ridge Early College 81-53 on Jan. 20. They posted three quarters with more than 20 points en route to the win.
With 22 points in the first quarter, the Lady Eagles were soaring from the start. They added 24 more points in the second quarter to lead 46-24 at halftime.
They came out of the half with the same intensity, adding 21 more points to their lead. With 14 points in the fourth quarter, the Lady Eagles closed out the win.
Brinkley Payne led the Lady Eagles with 29 points, including 14 points in the second quarter. Brooklyn Orton had 16 points and Abby Harris had 13.
Boys down Highlands
With a clutch play in the final seconds, the Eagles fended off a late push to remain undefeated in the Little Smoky Mountain Conference with a 51-50 win over Highlands on Thursday.
Hiwassee Dam was rolling early with 22 points in the first quarter, led by Jimmy Kelly’s eight points. Highlands battled back in the second quarter, but the Eagles led 31-26 at halftime.
They both battled in the third quarter and the Eagles maintained their lead heading into the fourth quarter. The Eagles led until the final minutes, when Highlands tied it late. In the final seconds, the Eagles made a late bucket for the win.
Kelly led the Eagles with 17 points, while Dockery had 16 points against Highlands.
Girls crush Highlands
In another dominant performance, the Lady Eagles defeated Highlands 49-24 on Thursday. The Lady Eagles post 13 points in the first and second quarters to lead 26-11 at halftime.
They added 10 more in the third quarter to lead 36-17 heading into the fourth quarter. With 13 more points in the fourth quarter, they closed out the game.
Payne led the Lady Eagles again with 16 points. Orton and Harris both had 14 points. Avery McNabb had three points and Kinley Stiles had two points, with both coming in the second quarter.
Up next
In a game originally scheduled for Jan. 26, the Eagles will host Robbinsville on Thursday night. The Eagles will face in-county rivals Andrews on Friday in their final non-conference game of the season.
For the Robbinsville and Andrews games, the girls will play at 6:30 p.m., with the boys playing right after.
The Eagles will then hit the road to face Summit charter on Tuesday. The girls will play at 6 p.m., with the boys to follow.