It was a perfect final week for the Murphy girls varsity basketball team. The Lady Bulldogs ended the regular season with a busy four-game week, winning all four of their games over Swain County, Hayesville, Robbinsville and Rosman.
Girls earn big win
The girls got their four-game week started by traveling to face Swain County on Feb. 9, defeating the Lady Maroon Devils 65-53. The Lady Bulldogs were led to victory by three players scoring 12 points each.
It was a close first quarter with the Lady Dogs lead 17-15 after the opening quarter. The Lady Dogs then pulled away in the second quarter with 21 points led by six points each from Ellie McClure and Emma Laney.
Murphy led 38-25 at halftime. The Lady Dogs came out of half-time with 17 points to lead 55-39 heading to the fourth quarter.
With 10 points in the fourth quarter, the Lady Dogs secured their first win of the week. McClure, Laney and Emma Hensley led the Lady Dogs with 12 points each.
Lady Dogs beat Jackets
In their second straight win, the Lady Dogs defeated Hayesville 52-41 on Feb. 11. Laney led the team to victory with a 27-point performance against Hayesville.
The Dogs took an early lead with 12 points in the first quarter. After a low-scoring second quarter, the Dogs led 20-17 at halftime.
Hayesville took the lead in the third quarter after scoring 13 points and holding Murphy to just two. The Lady Dogs stormed back in the fourth quarter with 30 points – 17 from Laney – to earn the win.
Laney led the Dogs with 27 points. Hensley was also in double digits with 10 points on the night, five coming in the fourth quarter.
Dogs conquer Knights
The next day, the Lady Dogs defeated Robbinsville 44-41 on Thursday for their third win of the week. Murphy got out to an early lead with 18 points in the first quarter to take a three-point lead to the second.
Robbinsville fought back in the second quarter to take a 26-25 lead to halftime.
The Lady Knights maintained their lead in the third quarter as they led 34-33 heading into the fourth quarter.
Robbinsville maintained its lead until Hensley made a layup with just over one minute left to give the Lady Dogs a 42-41 lead. The Lady Dogs held onto their lead and added two more points in the final minute to complete their second straight comeback win.
Hensley and Laney led the Dogs with 10 points each. Eight of Hensley’s 10 points came in the fourth quarter.
Make it 4 in a row
The Lady Dogs won their fourth straight game by defeating Rosman on the road 66-21 to wrap up the regular season Friday night.
The Lady Dogs opened the game with 23 points in the fourth quarter, then added 13 more in the second quarter to lead 36-12 at halftime.
They continued to score in the second half with 20 more points in the third quarter. Murphy ended the game with 10 points in the fourth quarter .
Kennedy White led the Lady Dogs with 15 points. Also scoring in double digits were CJ Yarbro and Laney with 12 points each, while McClure added 11.
Up next
The Lady Dogs ended the regular season with a 13-9 overall record, 7-5 in the Smoky Mountain Conference.
They will compete in the Big SMC tournament this week ahead of the state 2A playoffs.