Lady Bulldogs honor seniors, but Cats earn win

  • Photos by Cannon Crompton/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy High School honored senior girls varsity basketball players Emma Laney (top) and Ella Howard (bottom) on Feb. 4.
    Photos by Cannon Crompton/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy High School honored senior girls varsity basketball players Emma Laney (top) and Ella Howard (bottom) on Feb. 4.
  • Photos by Cannon Crompton/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy High School honored senior girls varsity basketball players Emma Laney (top) and Ella Howard (bottom) on Feb. 4.
    Photos by Cannon Crompton/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy High School honored senior girls varsity basketball players Emma Laney (top) and Ella Howard (bottom) on Feb. 4.

    Murphy – The Bulldogs’ Senior Night was marred by a close loss, as Andrews defeated Murphy 44-35.
        Before the game on Feb. 4, Murphy girls varsity seniors Ella Howard and Emma Laney were honored. They also recognized student athletic trainer Trey Swain.
        The Lady Wildcats led the entire game en route to the win, but the Lady Dogs kept it close. The Lady Cats pulled ahead to a big lead early and led 9-0 with 3:19 left, when Murphy called the first timeout of the game.
        Marley Blackwell hit a 3-pointer to give Andrews a 12-2 lead, then Emma Laney answered with a layup through traffic. Murphy added a late basket, and Andrews led 12-6 through the first quarter of the in-county matchup. 
        Knox Davis hit a 3-pointer to start the low-scoring second quarter. Both teams combined for only seven points in the second quarter.
        The Lady Wildcats took a 16-9 lead to halftime. Davis led the Wildcats at halftime with 10 points, while Hensley led the Bulldogs with four points.
        Both teams came out of the gate scoring in the third quarter. With 6:33 left, Andrews extended its lead to 21-13 as Murphy called a timeout.
        A few minutes later, Kennedy White hit a 3-pointer to give Murphy a 22-21 lead – the Dogs’ first of the game.
        After multiple late lead changes, the Lady Wildcats added late points to regain the lead. Andrews led 30-24 heading into the fourth quarter.
        Murphy reigned the lead with 6:21 left at 31-30, then Davis hit a 3-pointer to give Andrews the lead back. After the Lady Wildcats got the lead back, they began to pull away.
        With 2:13 left, Andrews led 42-33 when Murphy called a timeout. The Wildcats continued to maintain their lead to the final whistle. 
        Davis led the Lady Wildcats with 14 points, while Drea Cutshaw was also in double digits with 13. Marley Blackwell had nine points and Alexis Beasley scored eight.
        Hensley led the Lady Dogs with 14 points, 10 of those coming in the second half. Ilie Smith had seven points, all in the final three quarters.