BASKETBALL
2 local JV champs
Cherokee County swept the Big Smoky Mountain Conference junior varsity basketball championships Thursday night.
Murphy girls JV basketball defeated Cherokee 42-28 to be crowned champions. They were also the top team in the regular season to be tournament and regular season champions.
The Andrews boys JV basketball team also claimed the conference tournament title. They defeated No. 1 seeded Robbinsville 52-50 in overtime.
Hiwassee Dam JV boys competed in the Little SMC title game, but fell to Highlands on Feb. 16.
BASKETBALL
Hawks fall in close game
It was a heartbreaking end of the conference tournament for Nantahala’s boys varsity basketball team.
With a late basket in the final seconds of the game, Highlands defeated Nantahala 58-56 on Feb. 17.
Highlands went on to play in the Little Smoky Mountain Conference title game, but lost to Hiwassee Dam.
Nantahala’s first round playoff game was on the road at Carolina International in Concord. The game was played after the Cherokee Scout’s press time Tuesday morning.
TRACK
Local runs at Bob Jones
Matthew Carver of Andrews was named to the Bob Jones University track & field team for the 2025-26 academic year.
Carver is a freshman majoring in engineering at BJU, while also running on the Bruins’ track team.
The outdoor track season begins on March 13, where they will compete in the Myrtle Beach Collegiate Challenge.
BJU is a National Christian College Athletic Association Division II school, but the team will be competing in NCAA Division I meets this season as well as DII meets.
WRESTLING
ACWF back in Peachtree
The American Championship Wrestling Federation will return to the Peachtree Community Center for its third show of the year. “Shamrock Shenanigans” will include title matches and highly anticipated matches.
Doors are at 5 p.m. and the show will begin at 6 p.m. Tickets are 48 for adults, $6 for kids 6-12 and free for kids 5 and under.
ACWF will have a second show in March and the date will be announced on Facebook live on March 4 at 7 p.m.
Details: Visit facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057226578476.
ESPORTS
Dogs kick off season
The Murphy High School esports team kicked off its 2026 season.
During the season they will compete weekly in Valorant and Madden competition.
On Feb. 18, the team won its Valorant game 13-0. The team ranks 69th in the state.
The team also had a Madden game on Thursday, which they lost the tight game by three points. The Madden team ranks 202nd in the state.
ATHLETICS
Spring sports get underway
While varsity basketball wraps up soon, spring sports in Cherokee County have already begun.
Baseball, softball, outdoor track & field, boys soccer and boys golf began practice on Feb. 16.
The first contest date for spring sports is today, with most teams starting games later in the week.
The season will run until the playoffs in May, according to dates set by the N.C. High School Athletic Association.
Compiled by Sports Editor Cannon Crompton. Email items to sports@cherokeescout.com.