BASKETBALL
Middle school Wildcats win conference, go undefeated
The Andrews Middle School basketball team capped off their undefeated season by defeating Cherokee on Jan. 30 to win the Smoky Mountain Conference.
The Wildcats finished the regular season undefeated and continued that into the conference championship.
They defeated Swain County to advance to the championship. Then they deafened Cherokee to claim the SMC.
In the championship game, Levi Clark led the team with 35 points. Luke Clark and Jayce Donaldson both had 12 points.
WRESTLING
ACWF returns with big hits at second event of the year
The American Championship Wrestling Federation held their second event of the year Saturday night with ACWF: Violent Valentines.
At the event, Axel Freakin’ Gunn won the opening match. Then Stryker defeated Robert Starr. The Freak then defeated Kevin Seiber.
The main event ended in a double count out between the American Outlaws taking on the ACWF tag team champions Flex Ferguson and Frodo.
ACWF will return to the Peachtree Community Center on Saturday, March 1.
BASKETBALL
Hawks split big games, take down Highlands on the road
Nantahala boys basketball split their week of Little Smoky Mountain Conference games.
On Jan. 28, they fell to Hiwassee Dam at home 76-63 in a close, hard-fought game against conference rivals.
On Friday, the headed to Highlands and picked up a huge conference win. They defeated Highlands 64-55 to improve to 3-1 in the LSMC.
In their next game, they will hit the road to take on Hiwassee Dam at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. They will then take on Cherokee on Monday on the road.
FOOTBALL
Cherokee head coach resigns following his second season
After two years as head football coach for the Cherokee Braves, Tim Hawkins announced his resignation on Friday.
In two season, he coached them to a 12-11 record and went 4-6 in the Smoky Mountain Conference. From 2001-05, he also coached at Smoky Mountain in Sylva.
In a statement released on their Facebook page, Hawkins said, “I would like to thank the administration, both current and past, for trusting me with the opportunity to work at Cherokee Central Schools…I would also like to say thank you to our staff and aches who had faith in what I brought to the program.”
BASEBALL
Andrews Middle looking for baseball coach, umpires
Andrews Middle School is in search of both a baseball coach and umpires for the upcoming season.
In a statement on Facebook, the umpire booking agency they use will no longer supply baseball and softball umpires to middle school games due to a lack of umpires.
Umpires would be paid the same rate they would have paid the booking agency. Games start at 4 p.m. and there are six scheduled home games.
Details: Contact the Andrews Middle School office at 828-321-5762 to apply or learn more.
OUTDOORS
Hunting classes now open, offering in-person and online
The N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission will be hosting hunting classes. The 2025 Learn to Hunt Workshop registration is now open.
They will have turkey hunting workshops throughout March across the state. Throughout February, they will have various mini workshops in Ellerbe.
At the end of February, they will also be hosting webinars on turkey hunting.
Details: To register, visit ncwildlife.org.
Compiled by Sports Editor Cannon Crompton. Email items to sports@cherokeescout.com.