Sports

Photos by Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy’s Dillian Brown (top photo) and Andrews’ Donovan Bateman both signed to play basketball at Montreat College in recent weeks. Pictured with Brown (from left) are assistant coach Dawson Grizzle, Lisa Twiggs (grandmother), head coach Erik Laney, Donald Hughes (grandfather) and athletic director Joseph Watson. Pictured with Bateman are (from left) Meredith Higdon (grandmother), Cynthia Bateman (mother), Blakely Bateman (niece) and James Bateman (father

Photos by Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy’s Dillian Brown (top photo) and Andrews’ Donovan Bateman both signed to play basketball at Montreat College in recent weeks. Pictured with Brown (from left) are assistant coach Dawson Grizzle, Lisa Twiggs (grandmother), head coach Erik Laney, Donald Hughes (grandfather) and athletic director Joseph Watson. Pictured with Bateman are (from left) Meredith Higdon (grandmother), Cynthia Bateman (mother), Blakely Bateman (niece) and James Bateman (father

Bateman, Brown to team up at Montreat

Justin Fitzgerald
Friday, June 2, 2023
Body The two decided to continue that relationship in college, as both signed to play basketball at Montreat College. Brown signed to play for the Cavaliers on May 12, while Bateman did the same on May 22.
Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy junior Lailee Holloway was named Smoky Mountain Conference Player of the Year after scoring 23 goals for the Lady Bulldogs this spring.

Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy junior Lailee Holloway was named Smoky Mountain Conference Player of the Year after scoring 23 goals for the Lady Bulldogs this spring.

Holloway Player of the Year

Justin Fitzgerald
Thursday, June 1, 2023
Body She was always at the top of opposing team’s game plans, but that didn’t stop her from scoring more than half of the Lady Bulldogs goals this season.
Justin Fitzgerald/ sports@cherokeescout.com Hiwassee Dam’s Olivia McNabb was named the Smoky Mountain Conference’s Softball Pitcher of the Year.

Justin Fitzgerald/ sports@cherokeescout.com Hiwassee Dam’s Olivia McNabb was named the Smoky Mountain Conference’s Softball Pitcher of the Year.

McNabb named Pitcher of Year

Justin Fitzgerald
Thursday, May 25, 2023
Body McNabb threw 112⅔ of the Lady Eagles’ 127 innings this spring, pitching to a 1.99 ERA while striking out 154. She was also the team’s best hitter, batting .478 with six home runs and 32 RBI. 
Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Andrews O’Malley Salinas left it all on the track down the home stretch of the boys 3,200-meter run at the 1A Track & Field State Championships on Friday. Salinas finished third in the event, achieving his goal of breaking 10 minutes.

Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Andrews O’Malley Salinas left it all on the track down the home stretch of the boys 3,200-meter run at the 1A Track & Field State Championships on Friday. Salinas finished third in the event, achieving his goal of breaking 10 minutes.

County athletes set 4 records at state meet

Justin Fitzgerald
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Body As he crossed the finish line in third, he turned back to look at the clock to his left. When he saw the time read 9 minutes 58.89 seconds, he pumped his left fist. Both goals had been met.
Photos by Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy student-athlete Jordan Oliver’s mom, Kristi, was more than happy as her daughter reached the finish line of the 100-meter wheelchair dash.

Photos by Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy student-athlete Jordan Oliver’s mom, Kristi, was more than happy as her daughter reached the finish line of the 100-meter wheelchair dash.

Effort worth it for wheelchair athlete, family

Justin Fitzgerald
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Body Her daughter, Jordan Oliver, a junior at Murphy, was paralyzed after being in a bad car accident in 2011. She initially got into track and field due to watching her older sister, Kelia, throw for Murphy. It was also a way to help her feel more included socially.
Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy’s Leah Beebe tries to catch up with the ball during the Lady Bulldogs’ 0-0 draw with Blue Ridge on May 10.

Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy’s Leah Beebe tries to catch up with the ball during the Lady Bulldogs’ 0-0 draw with Blue Ridge on May 10.

Lady Dogs soccer draws in game with Blue Ridge

Justin Fitzgerald
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Body Murphy – After 100 minutes of soccer on May 10, the score remained the same as it was when the game started between Murphy and Blue Ridge Early College.