Hiwassee Dam – The Lady Eagles got the No. 4 seed in 1A West and have played every possible game at home. They got a first-round bye, then defeated North Stokes in the second round of the state 1A playoffs.
In the third round, they hosted Little Smoky Mountain Conference rivals Highlands and got the win. In the fourth round, they hosted Robbinsville of the Big Smoky Mountain Conference.
Girls fall at home
In the fourth round of the playoffs, the Lady Eagles’ season came to an end.
The Robbinsville Lady Black Knights defeated the Lady Eagles 72-67 on Monday night.
Both teams scored 19 points in the first half, setting the tone for the close game.
Robbinsville then pulled ahead in the second quarter with 21 points to lead 40-37 at halftime.
Throughout the second half, the Lady Knights continued to slowly increase their lead.
Hiwassee Dam outscored the Lady Knights 19-15, but couldn’t complete a late comeback.
The Lady Eagles end the season with a 19-9 overall record and as Little Smoky Mountain Conference champions.
Highlands conquered
Payne and Harris combined for 38 points as the Lady Eagles took down conference rivals Highlands 56-41.
The Lady Eagles took an early 10-point lead as they led 13-3 after the first quarter. Highlands fought back in the second quarter as they scored 19 points, 10 coming from the free throw line.
Despite foul trouble in the second quarter, the Lady Eagles led 25-22 at halftime. The Lady Eagles extended their lead in the third quarter as they scored 15 points and held Highlands to six points.
They took a 40-28 lead to the fourth quarter. With 16 points in the fourth quarter, the Lady Eagles defeated their LSMC rivals.
Payne led the team with 25 points, while Harris had 13.
Eagles win big
The Lady Eagles kicked off their playoff campaign with a 84-52 win at home over North Stokes. After a first-round bye, the Lady Eagles played at home Thursday.
The Lady Eagles pulled ahead early as they led 20-13 after the first quarter. They extended their lead with a 17-point second quarter to lead 37-21 at halftime.
It was a huge second half for the Lady Eagles as they dropped 25 points in the third quarter, then 22 more points in the fourth.
Payne and Orton had huge nights against North Stokes. Payne had 30 points, while Orton had 22. Harris was also in double digits with 15 points.