CHEROKEE
Girls golf SMC results
Ellie McClure of Murphy High School finished tied for third during the Smoky Mountain Conference girls golf conference tournament. The second round was held at Sequoyah National on Oct. 15.
McClure earned All-Conference honors as she shot 108 over two rounds in the tournament. Her finish earned her a spot in the regional tournament in Lincolnton on Monday.
Tri-County Early College girls golfers Madison Deren and Ruby Kuykendall shot 120 and 123, respectively, over the two rounds of the conference tournament.
CHEROKEE
JV Dogs win SMC
The Murphy junior varsity volleyball team defeated Hayesville 2-1 to claim the Smoky Mountain Conference crown Thursday.
The Lady Bulldogs came into the tournament undefeated in conference play and secured the top spot, meaning a first-round bye.
Murphy stayed undefeated to claim the conference title. They defeated No. 4 seed Robbinsville 2-1 on Oct. 14, then took down No. 2 seed Hayesville to become SMC champions.
“What a team!! Proud doesn’t even describe how I feel about them. Their determination and heart for this game reminds me why I coach,” Murphy coach Nikol Watson said of her team.
“Undefeated in conference and tournament champions! The next few years are going to be fun! Keep your eye on them, they have big goals!”
NANTAHALA
Bear season kicking off
Bear hunting season officially kicked off on Oct. 14 in the Nantahala, Croatan and Uwharrie national
forests.
Bear hunting season has been delayed in the Pisgah National Forest due to the U.S. Forest Service’s continued assessment and clearing of roads to recreation areas and infrastructure.
James Melonas, supervisor for the Forest Service, said hunters are welcome in the three open national forests in the state, but hunting in the Pisgah National Forest will only slow the work being done. There is no timetable for when bear hunting season will begin in Pisgah.
ATLANTA
Super Bowl set for 2028
The Super Bowl will return to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta in 2028, the NFL said on Oct. 15.
This will be the fourth time the game will be held in Atlanta and the second time since the building of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the Atlanta Falcons.
Super Bowl LXII is the latest addition to a growing list of major sporting events in Atlanta in the coming years. Also on that list is the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, NCAA College Football Playoff National Championship and FIFA Club World Cup in 2025; a host city for the FIFA World Cup in 2026; and the NCAA Men’s Final Four in 2031.
Compiled by Sports Editor Cannon Crompton. Email items to sports@cherokeescout.com.
