Andrews – The Wildcats varsity basketball teams started their week by defeating Blue Ridge Early College, then fell to Franklin and closed out the week with snow canceling their matchup against Hiwassee Dam.
Boys varsity
The Wildcats (8-4) split their week, starting it with a dominant win over Blue Ridge (2-6), then losing a close game to Franklin (10-3), which is highly ranked in 3A.
On Jan. 7, they hosted Blue Ridge Early College, winning 83-22. It was also their second straight game with more than 80 points and second straight win by more than 50.
The Wildcats took a big lead in the first quarter with 24 points, then added 27 more in the second to lead 51-16 at halftime.
In the second half, they added 15 points in the third period and 17 in the fourth to get the dominant win over Blue Ridge. Andrews played tough defense that didn’t allow more than nine points in any quarter.
The Wildcats had four players in double digits, as Ty Clark had 19 points, Gabe Clark had 17, Braxton Rickett had 13 and Kegan Ellis had 12.
On Thursday, the Wildcats hosted Franklin and lost 73-64, an improvement over the first time the teams met.
Franklin got out to an early 18-12 lead in the first quarter. The Wildcats battled to outscore Franklin in the second, but Franklin led 34-29 at halftime.
In the second half, the game remained close, with Franklin ahead 52-46 heading into the fourth quarter. Franklin outscored the Wildcats 21-18 in the fourth to win the game 73-64.
The same four players scored in double digits again against Franklin. Ellis led the way with 17 points, while Rickett had 15, Gabe Clark had 14 and Ty Clark had 11.
Lady Wildcats
The Lady Wildcats (6-5) split their week when they beat Blue Ridge (4-3), then fell to Franklin (7-5) in a one-point game. In their second straight win, they defeated Blue Ridge Early College 70-27 on Jan. 7 in their highest scoring game this season.
The Lady Wildcats had a dominant first half with 24 points in the first quarter and 22 in the second quarter to lead 46-10 at halftime.
In the second half, they added 21 more to lead 67-23 heading into the fourth quarter. Despite Blue Ridge outscoring the Lady Cats in the fourth, Andrews still won in dominant fashion.
Knox Davis had a huge game with 31 points. Drea Cutshaw scored 13 points and Kylie Donaldson added 11.
On Thursday, they hosted Franklin and fell 53-52. Andrews jumped out to a big lead in the first quarter 16-6, but Franklin battled back in the second to take a 26-22 lead into halftime.
Franklin outscored the Lady Cats in the third quarter to maintain the lead. With the game on the line, the teams battled in the fourth quarter. Despite outscoring Franklin 21-16, Franklin came out on top.
Kylie Donaldson led the team with 21 points, while Knox Davis was also in double digits with 15. Drea Cutshaw led the team in rebounds with 12 and also had seven assists and eight steals.
Up next
Andrews’ games against Hiwassee Dam was rescheduled for Thursday. The girls will tip off at 6:30 p.m., while the boys will start at 8 p.m. in Hiwassee Dam.
The Wildcats will then host Highlands on Friday, will the girls starting at 6 p.m. and the boys tipping off at 7:30 p.m.
On Tuesday, Jan. 21, the Wildcats will travel to Clay County to take on Hayesville. Girls start at 6:30 p.m., the boys at 8 p.m.