ATHLETICS
Seniors to play games
The 2026 Cherokee/Clay County Senior Games are officially underway.
Local athletes came to the Clay County Rec Center in Hayesville on Saturday for the opening ceremony, followed by the first set of games.
The games opened with the annual fun walk, then competitors cycled through games such as the football and softball throws, as well as basketball shooting and the soccer kick.
Details: Visit cherokeecountyseniorgames.org.
ATHLETICS
WNC awards announced
The 64th WNC Sports Awards banquet is set for Sunday, May 3, at the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville.
Multiple local athletes are nominated for various awards at the banquet. Emma Laney, a senior at Murphy High School, is one of the scholarship winners.
Brody Orton of Murphy was nominated for Division II Male Athletes Major Sports and Division II Male Athlete of the Year. Camden Breazeale of Murphy was also nominated for Division II Male Athlete Major Sports.
Also nominated are the Murphy football team in Division II Male Team Major Sports and Elijah Twiggs for Division II Male Academic Award.
Finalists for the awards and scholarships were selected from nominations from coaches and athletics in western N.C., and received their nomination forms in March.
Details: Tickets to the banquet are $65 each at wncsportsawards.com.
WRESTLING
ACWF hosts second show
The American Championship Wrestling Federation returned to the Peachtree Community Center on Saturday night for its second show of the month.
In the opening match, Manu Taui beat Vinny. Then Adrain Crusel beat Creature and La Cruz in triple-threat action.
Flex Ferguson defeated Mike Clay, while Geno of The Family beat Gunmetal Grey. Ace Hart and JDR’s match was ruled a no contest.
In tag-team action KZito defeated Airbnb. Then Deon Mercer defeated Axel Freakin’ Gunn to be crowned the new ACWF United States champ.
Moki won the no holds barred main event, but the match was ruled a no contest. Commissioner Andy stripped Killshot of the ACWF World Heavyweight belt after interference.
ACWF will return to Peachtree on Saturday, May 2. Moki and Frodo will take on Frodo and Mountain Man Jeremy Stiles in a bunkhouse brawl match.
ESPORTS
Dogs miss playoff cut
Due to a size adjustment in the playoff structure, the Murphy High School esports team just barely missed the cut for the playoffs.
This season’s playoffs are the top 32 teams, a change from the original number projected to make the playoffs.
Murphy finished the season in 41st place out of 124 teams. They missed the playoffs by nine places in the standings.
The gaming Dogs finished the season with a 4-4 overall record as the season comes to a close.
OUTDOORS
Fishing class set in April
As it gets warmer outside, that means that fish are biting. Anglers will soon take to the waters if they havent already.
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission offers in-person and virtual fishing courses across the state.
In the western part of the state, they offer in-person classes in Morganton, Black Mountain, Marion and Lenoir.
Details: Visit bit.ly/44YkCxs.
High school schedule
Today
Track & field
Hiwassee Dam, Tri-County Early College @ Hayesville, 3:30 p.m.
Andrews, Murphy @ Cherokee, 3:30 p.m.
Softball
Murphy @ Smoky Mountain, 5:30 p.m.
Thursday
Baseball
Andrews @ Hayesville, 4:30 p.m.
Murphy @ Rabun-Gap Nacoochee, Ga., 4:30 p.m.
Softball
Andrews @ Hayesville, 4:30 p.m.
Girls soccer
Andrews @ Summit Charter, 4:30 p.m.
Murphy @ Cherokee, 4:30 p.m.
Friday
Baseball
Andrews vs. Hayesville, 4:30 p.m.
Murphy @ Cherokee, 4:30 p.m.
Hiwassee Dam @ Rosman, 4 p.m. (doubleheader)
Softball
Andrews vs. Hayesville, 4:30 p.m.
Murphy @ Cherokee, 4:30 p.m.
Hiwassee Dam @ Rosman, 4 p.m. (doubleheader)
Girls soccer
Andrews @ Swain County, 6 p.m.