With a trip to Cashiers, the Hiwassee Dam varsity basketball teams wrapped up their Little Smoky Mountain Conference schedules with big wins.
The Eagles traveled to take on Blue Ridge Early College on Thursday and came home with a win. They then fell to Polk County, Tenn., in the regular-season finale Friday.
Boys varsity
With the top seed in the conference tournament already locked up, the Eagles headed to Cashiers looking for a win to go an undefeated 6-0 in conference play. The Eagles did so with a 30-point win over Blue Ridge Early College.
The Eagles started the game by taking a commanding 23-9 lead to end the first quarter. They followed it up with 13 more points in the second quarter to lead 36-14 at halftime.
Coming out of halftime, the Eagles added 19 points to lead 55-18 heading into the final quarter. Despite being outscored 16-9 in the final frame, the Eagles won 64-34 to end conference play on a high note and solidify the top spot heading into this week’s conference tournament.
On Friday, the Eagles returned home to host Polk County, losing 90-43. They will put the non-conference game behind them and look ahead to Tuesday’s matchup.
On Feb. 18, the Eagles traveled to Highlands for a first-round matchup in the conference tournament, where they played Blue Ridge Early College again. Results will be in the Feb. 26 edition of the Cherokee Scout.
Lady Eagles
To wrap up their Little Smoky Mountain Conference schedule, the Lady Eagles took on Blue Ridge Early College on Thursday, concluding conference play with a commanding 74-39 win.
The Lady Eagles started with 15 points in the first quarter, then followed it up during a strong second quarter with 26 more points. Hiwassee Dam led 41-19 at halftime.
Coming out of the half, the Lady Eagles had another strong quarter by adding 21 more points and only allowing the Lady Bobcats to score six points. Despite being outscored 14-12 in the final quarter, the Lady Eagles soared to a 35-point victory.
On Friday, Hiwassee Dam returned home and fell to Polk County. The Lady Eagles struggled in the first half, only scoring single-digit points in the opening two quarters.
The Eagles had a strong second half, but Polk County held on to win 54-48 despite a late push. Hiwassee Dam was led by Olivia McNabb with 19 points. Brooklyn Hyde with 16 and Brinkley Payne with 10.
Hiwassee Dam and Highlands finished the regular season tied for first place. After drawing to see who would be the No. 1 seed, the Lady Eagles won and received a first-round bye.
The Lady Eagles will play the winner of Highlands and Blue Ridge Early College, who faced off on Feb. 18, to crown the girls conference champion Thursday in Highlands.
Last season, both teams defeated Highlands in the conference tournament to secure the LSMC crown.