Sports

Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy’s Brooklyn Johnson tries to control the ball during the Lady Bulldogs’ 6-2 loss to Summit Charter on March 6.

Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy’s Brooklyn Johnson tries to control the ball during the Lady Bulldogs’ 6-2 loss to Summit Charter on March 6.

Lady Dogs soccer looking to ‘get better’ after tough start

Justin Fitzgerald
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Body Murphy – In a sport like soccer where it’s not ideal to play multiple games over a short time span, Murphy girls soccer head coach Kim Brownlee was not thrilled about playing three
Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Hiwassee Dam’s Clay Davis slides into third base as the throw gets over the head of Towns County’s Stone Chauncey during the Eagles’ 13-3 loss to the Indians on March 7.

Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Hiwassee Dam’s Clay Davis slides into third base as the throw gets over the head of Towns County’s Stone Chauncey during the Eagles’ 13-3 loss to the Indians on March 7.

Eagles expect struggles in earliest part of season

Justin Fitzgerald
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Body “Probably as was expected,” Strickland said of his team’s first game. “We’re very young still. We have two seniors, six juniors and six freshmen. So we’re very young. We made some progress tonight, no doubt, but there’s a lot still to be gained.”
Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Hiwassee Dam’s Katie McNabb heads for second base during the Lady Eagles’ 13-12 win over Rosman on Friday. McNabb would later score the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Hiwassee Dam’s Katie McNabb heads for second base during the Lady Eagles’ 13-12 win over Rosman on Friday. McNabb would later score the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Lady Eagles win marathon ball game against Rosman

Justin Fitzgerald
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Body The Lady Eagles clawed their way back from a 5-0 deficit against Franklin before falling short 10-9 to start the season on March 7. Against Rosman on Friday, the Lady Tigers took the lead three times before Hiwassee Dam won the game 13-12 in eight innings.
Photos by Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy’s Zach Skogen was named the Big Smoky Mountain Conference Boys Player of the Year.

Photos by Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy’s Zach Skogen was named the Big Smoky Mountain Conference Boys Player of the Year.

Hyde, Skogen top conference

Justin Fitzgerald
Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Body Leading the way were Murphy junior Zach Skogen and Hiwassee Dam senior Preston Hyde, who were recognized as the Big and Little Smoky Mountain Boys Player of the Year, respectively. Eagles head coach Mark Raper was named the Little SMC Boys Coach of the Year.
Both the Andrews (left) and Murphy (right) boys junior varsity basketball teams had standout seasons. The Wildcats won the Big Smoky Mountain Conference regular-season championship, while the Bulldogs won the conference tournament championship.

Both the Andrews (left) and Murphy (right) boys junior varsity basketball teams had standout seasons. The Wildcats won the Big Smoky Mountain Conference regular-season championship, while the Bulldogs won the conference tournament championship.

Andrews, Murphy JV boys finish atop conference

Justin Fitzgerald
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Body The Smoky Mountain Conference junior varsity boys basketball 2022-23 season ran through Cherokee County.
Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy’s Cole Laney strides toward the plate during the Bulldogs’ 14-4 loss to Franklin on March 1.

Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy’s Cole Laney strides toward the plate during the Bulldogs’ 14-4 loss to Franklin on March 1.

Murphy baseball opens season

Justin Fitzgerald
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Body Franklin – A 14-4 loss to Franklin was not an ideal start to the season for Murphy baseball, but it’s a little more understandable once the run-up to the season is laid out.
Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Hiwassee Dam baseball and softball both opened their seasons Tuesday, with the Eagles traveling to Towns County, Ga., and the Lady Eagles to Franklin.

Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Hiwassee Dam baseball and softball both opened their seasons Tuesday, with the Eagles traveling to Towns County, Ga., and the Lady Eagles to Franklin.

HD baseball, softball get going

Justin Fitzgerald
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Body “It makes a difference coming back for a second year,” Strickland said. “Because you already have that base of players that know what you’re about. There’s a lot less rebuilding because the players know the system, and they’re able to help the younger guys fit into it.”

Track founder a ‘big heart’

Justin Fitzgerald
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Body The race track was built in 1968. That is one of many things that made Wimpey a valued member of the circles he traveled in, and one who will be missed after his death on Feb. 24 at age 95.