Sports

Heather Watson/ Contributing Photographer Murphy High School senior Janthony Gooden (middle) signed a letter of commitment to continue his football and academic career at Catawba College in Salisbury. The standout lineman signed the letter on Feb. 4. Janthony is joined by (from left) Angela Gooden, Nova Gooden, Neiko Gooden and Anthony Gooden.

Heather Watson/ Contributing Photographer Murphy High School senior Janthony Gooden (middle) signed a letter of commitment to continue his football and academic career at Catawba College in Salisbury. The standout lineman signed the letter on Feb. 4. Janthony is joined by (from left) Angela Gooden, Nova Gooden, Neiko Gooden and Anthony Gooden.

Cannon Crompton/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy High School honored its senior boys basketball players on Feb. 4. From left are assistant coach Michael Kernea, Camden Breazeale, Kyle Luke, Elijah Twiggs, Abram Twiggs, McKinnley Dockery, Aaron Harger, Cale Harger, Ryan Payne, Tyler Payne, head coach Heath Curtis and assistant coach Cody Allen.

Cannon Crompton/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy High School honored its senior boys basketball players on Feb. 4. From left are assistant coach Michael Kernea, Camden Breazeale, Kyle Luke, Elijah Twiggs, Abram Twiggs, McKinnley Dockery, Aaron Harger, Cale Harger, Ryan Payne, Tyler Payne, head coach Heath Curtis and assistant coach Cody Allen.

Dogs bite Cats on Senior Night

Body Murphy – With double-doubles from seniors Abram Twiggs and Cale Harger, Murphy defeated Andrews 69-65 in a hard-fought second meeting of the season on Feb.
 Cannon Crompton/sports@cherokeescout.com Andrews High School honored winter sports student-athletes before Friday night’s basketball games. Joined by their families are seniors (from left) Alexis Beasley, Jaden Crocker, Rileigh LeQuire, Jay C Palmer, Isaac Patrick, Chanteah Rattler and Logan Shuler.

Cannon Crompton/sports@cherokeescout.com Andrews High School honored winter sports student-athletes before Friday night’s basketball games. Joined by their families are seniors (from left) Alexis Beasley, Jaden Crocker, Rileigh LeQuire, Jay C Palmer, Isaac Patrick, Chanteah Rattler and Logan Shuler.

Wildcats sweep Swain on Senior Night

Body Andrews – From start to finish, it was a winning night in the Valley as the Wildcats took down the Devils on Senior Night.
Cannon Crompton/sports@cherokeescout.com Hayden Virtanen wrestles at home against Murphy on Nov. 26, 2025.

Cannon Crompton/sports@cherokeescout.com Hayden Virtanen wrestles at home against Murphy on Nov. 26, 2025.

Cats wrestle 3 teams in quad duals at home

Body Andrews – Before teams competed in the state duals playoffs, Andrews varsity wrestling hosted a quad duals match.
Cannon Crompton/sports@cherokeescout.com Brady Queen of Andrews drives past a Rosman defender on Jan. 22.

Cannon Crompton/sports@cherokeescout.com Brady Queen of Andrews drives past a Rosman defender on Jan. 22.

Andrews splits games with Black Knights

Body Robbinsville – Despite not having classes that day, the Andrews varsity basketball team was able to play on the road Jan. 27 in Smoky Mountain Conference action.
Cannon Crompton/sports@cherokeescout.com Nantahala senior Cole McCoy was honored with a plaque and banner Thursday for becoming the Hawks’ all-time leading scorer. He surpassed the previous record of 1,565 career points to etch his name in the school’s basketball history book.

Cannon Crompton/sports@cherokeescout.com Nantahala senior Cole McCoy was honored with a plaque and banner Thursday for becoming the Hawks’ all-time leading scorer. He surpassed the previous record of 1,565 career points to etch his name in the school’s basketball history book.

Nantahala splits homecoming games

Body Nantahala – The Hawks celebrated homecoming, and a win for the boys, as they took down Blue Ridge Early College.
Cannon Crompton/sports@cherokeescout.com Ryan Payne of Murphy goes up for a layup against Rabun County, Ga., on Dec. 29. The Murphy boys are the No. 3 ranked team in 2A.

Cannon Crompton/sports@cherokeescout.com Ryan Payne of Murphy goes up for a layup against Rabun County, Ga., on Dec. 29. The Murphy boys are the No. 3 ranked team in 2A.

Sports Shorts

Body TRACKCats run at Tryon
Cannon Crompton/sports@cherokeescout.com Brooklyn Orton of Hiwassee Dam goes up for a layup against Andrews on Friday.

Cannon Crompton/sports@cherokeescout.com Brooklyn Orton of Hiwassee Dam goes up for a layup against Andrews on Friday.

Lady Eagles defeat Wildcats 73-53 at home

Body Hiwassee Dam – With the help of Brinkley Payne’s career high 38-point performance, Hiwassee Dam defeated Andrews 73-53.