Sports Shorts for March 18, 2026

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WRESTLING

ACWF back in Peachtree

The American Championship Wrestling Federation will return to the Peachtree Community Center on Saturday, April 4, for the first of two shows next month.

Many fan-favorite ACWF superstars will take to the ring for action as well as putting title belts on the line.

Doors open at 5 p.m., with the show starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for ages 6-12 and free for kids 5 and under.

Their second show in April will be Saturday, April 18, at the Peachtree Community Center.

 

ESPORTS

Dogs earn another win

The Murphy esports team secured its fourth Valorant win of the season March 10. With the 13-8 victory, the team improved to 4-1 on the season.

Murphy also jumped in the East Region rankings to No. 11.

Captain Caleb Prohl led the team in the match with an average combat score of 350, with 25 kills and six First Bloods.

 

OUTDOOR

Wildlife to host classes

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is set to host various classes across the state and virtually. In-person classes will be held in Fayetteville and Morganton, with virtual classes held for anyone through Microsoft Teams.

Some of the virtual class offerings the NCWRC is having include Entomology for Anglers” today from 6-8:30 p.m. and “How to Read a Trout Stream” from 6-8 p.m. Thursday.

Details: Visit bit.ly/44YkCxs.

 

BASKETBALL

Local players earn All-SMC

Local varsity basketball players earned spots among the All-Smoky Mountain Conference teams.

The Big SMC boys players of the year was Murphy’s Abram Twiggs, while the Little SMC player of the year was Jonah Dockery of Hiwassee Dam. The Big SMC coach of the year was Murphy’s Heath Curtis, while Hiwassee Dam’s Mark Raper was Little SMC coach of the year.

Big SMC All-Conference boys were Gabe Clark of Andrews as well as Cale Harger, Tyler Payne and Ryan Payne of Murphy. Little SMC All-Conference boys included Jimmy Kelly of Hiwassee Dam.

For the girls, Brinkley Payne was Little SMC player of the year, while David Payne was Little SMC coach of the year.

Girls All-Conference in Big SMC was Emma Laney of Murphy as well as Knox Davis and Drea Cutshaw of Andrews. Little SMC All-Conference players were Brooklyn Orton and Abby Harris.

 

ATHLETICS

Senior Games signups open

Registration for the 2026 Cherokee Clay Senior Games is underway.

It is $15, with an additional $5 per ticket to the closing banquet for participants. Guest tickets to the closing banquet are $15.

The Games will kickoff with the opening ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 18, at the Clay County Recreation Center in Hayesville.

Prior to that, the 5K road race will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 11, at the Chatuge Dam trail in Hayesville.

 

High school schedule


March 18

Track & field

Tri-County Early College @ Andrews, 3:30 p.m.

Hiwassee Dam @ Murphy, 3:30 p.m.

 

Baseball

Hiwassee Dam vs. Murphy, 4:30 p.m.

 

Softball

Hiwassee Dam vs. Murphy, 4:30 p.m.

 

March 19

Softball

Hiwassee Dam vs. Copper Basin, Tenn., 4:30 p.m.

 

Girls soccer

Andrews vs. Highlands, 

6 p.m.

 

Boys golf

Andrews, Murphy @ Mountain Harbour in Hayesville, 3:30 p.m.

 

 

March 20

Baseball

Murphy vs. Hiwassee Dam, 4:30 p.m.

Andrews vs. Robbinsville, 4:30 p.m.

 

Softball

Murphy vs. Hiwassee Dam, 4:30 p.m.

Andrews vs. Robbinsville, 4:30 p.m.

Compiled by Sports Editor Cannon Crompton. Email items to sports@cherokeescout.com.