Both Hiwassee Dam teams suffer losses to Cherokee Friday
Hiwassee Dam saw a mix of wins and losses last week as the Lady Eagles continued their success with a big win over Robbinsville, but both teams were stymied by Cherokee to close out the week.
Lady Eagles
For their first game of the week, Hiwassee Dam headed to Robbinsville on Jan. 14. The Lady Eagles got an early lead with 19 first-quarter points and followed it up with 14 more in the second quarter to lead 33-19 at halftime.
In the second half, the Lady Eagles flew away with the lead after 18 points in the third quarter, while only allowing the Lady Black Knights to score five points.
They capped off the win with 17 points in the fourth quarter as Robbinsville made a late push with 15 points. The Lady Eagles defeated Robbinsville for the second time this season with their 68-39 win.
Olivia McNabb led the team with 22 points, including nine in the second quarter. Two other Lady Eagles were in double digits, as Brooklyn Hyde had 16 points and Brinkley Payne 11. Seven of Hyde’s 16 points came in the third quarter. Sky Taylor had eight points, including two 3-pointers.
On Friday, the Lady Eagles hosted one of the top teams in the state, Cherokee. The Lady Braves came into the game with one loss this season to Hebron Christian of Dacula, Ga., one of the top teams in Georgia.
The Lady Eagles started the game on their back foot, as Cherokee scored 37 points in the opening quarter against Hiwassee Dam’s 10. Cherokee continued in the second quarter with 30 more points, taking a 67-18 lead into halftime.
Coming out of the half, both teams scored 13 points in the third quarter. Despite outscoring Cherokee 11-4 in the fourth quarter, the Lady Eagles fell 84-42.
Olivia McNabb led the team with 16 points. Payne was also in double digits with 12 points. Hyde had eight points with seven of those in the second half.
Boys varsity
To start their week, the boys varsity team fell to Robbinsville. Despite schools being closed due to the inclement winter weather experiences across Western North Carolina, the Eagles traveled north to take on the Black Knights on Jan. 14.
The Eagles lost 80-44 to start their week. This is their second loss to Robbinsville this season.
On Friday, the Eagles hosted Cherokee and lost 85-59. Cherokee got off to an early led with 25 points in the first quarter and then followed it up with 17 more in the second half. The Eagles trailed 42-21 at halftime.
The Eagles had a huge third quarter with 22 points led by Aidan Bennett who had 10 points in the third.
Despite the Eagles scoring 22 in the third quarter, Cherokee scored 20 to maintain their big lead.
The Eagles ended the game with 16 points in the fourth quarter, but Cherokee closed with 23 points in the fourth to win the game 85-59.
Bennett led the Eagles with 24 points. Eight of Bennett’s points came from the free throw line as he went 8/9 from the charity stripe. Braiden Ledford was also in double digits with 11 points.
Up next
On Thursday, Hiwassee Dam will travel to Copper Basin, Tenn., to take on the Cougars for the second time this season. Last time they faced off, the boys varsity team won, while the Lady Eagles lost.
On Tuesday, Jan. 28, the boys varsity team will travel to Nantahala to take on the Hawks for their second Little Smoky Mountain Conference game of the season. The game will tip off at 6 p.m.