Sports

Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com At the end of the first day of the two-day youth basketball camp that featured her name, Torin Rogers brought the Murphy campers together to ask what they learned that day.

Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com At the end of the first day of the two-day youth basketball camp that featured her name, Torin Rogers brought the Murphy campers together to ask what they learned that day.

‘It’s awesome’

Justin Fitzgerald
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Body So for the 38 girls who attended the camp, it was about trying to make sure everyone who attended the camp had fun and learned some things about basketball that could make them successful in the future. Giving back was the main objective.
Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy girls track and field coach Penny Johnson gives Jordan Oliver her state championship ring during halftime of the Bulldogs’ football game vs. Franklin in August. Johnson is retiring after 27 years as an educator and coach, including the last 17 at Murphy.

Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy girls track and field coach Penny Johnson gives Jordan Oliver her state championship ring during halftime of the Bulldogs’ football game vs. Franklin in August. Johnson is retiring after 27 years as an educator and coach, including the last 17 at Murphy.

Johnson retiring in Murphy

Justin Fitzgerald
Tuesday, June 13, 2023
Body “It’s going to be really, really hard to replace her and I don’t think you replace her,” Murphy head football coach Joseph Watson said of Johnson. “She’ll be greatly missed by Murphy High School, the students and the staff, there’s no doubt.”
Andrews sophomore Kylie Donaldson, who competed in the event for the second straight year, finished seventh in the long jump.

Andrews sophomore Kylie Donaldson, who competed in the event for the second straight year, finished seventh in the long jump.

State track & field championships

News Staff
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Body The N.C. High School Athletic Association 1A Track & Field Championship was held May 19, with several Cherokee County student-athletes participating.

Senate changes sports wagering bill

News Staff
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Body The measure heads back for a concurrence vote in the lower chamber, where Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) said Thursday lawmakers plan to approve the changes early next week.
Photos by Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com The Wildcats were fired up as the final seconds of their 42-12 win over Murphy ran off the clock, clinching the program’s first Smoky Mountain Conference football championship in 39 years.

Photos by Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com The Wildcats were fired up as the final seconds of their 42-12 win over Murphy ran off the clock, clinching the program’s first Smoky Mountain Conference football championship in 39 years.

Best of local sports in 2022-23

Justin Fitzgerald
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
Body The 2022-23 school year is officially in the books. Local schools wrapped up the year at the track and field state championships on May 19, and the N.C.
The Hiwassee Dam/Ranger Middle School softball team were the runners up in the Smoky Mountain Conference this year. Members of the team are (front row) Bentley Shelby; (middle row, from left) Sierra Brendle, Abby Harris, Emma Hensley, Ryleigh Harris, Josey Ware and Bella Davenport; (back row, from left) Sophia Gibson, Adysonn Wooten, Avery McNabb, Leah Taylor and Anna Raper.

The Hiwassee Dam/Ranger Middle School softball team were the runners up in the Smoky Mountain Conference this year. Members of the team are (front row) Bentley Shelby; (middle row, from left) Sierra Brendle, Abby Harris, Emma Hensley, Ryleigh Harris, Josey Ware and Bella Davenport; (back row, from left) Sophia Gibson, Adysonn Wooten, Avery McNabb, Leah Taylor and Anna Raper.

Best of middle school baseball and softball

Justin Fitzgerald
Friday, June 2, 2023
Body It was a strong year in Cherokee County for middle school baseball and softball teams.