Sports

Jeff Sides/NC Milesplit Murphy junior Jordan Oliver won state titles in both the 55-meter wheelchair dash and wheelchair shot put during the N.C. High School Athletic Association 1A/2A Indoor Track Championships on Feb. 11.

Jeff Sides/NC Milesplit Murphy junior Jordan Oliver won state titles in both the 55-meter wheelchair dash and wheelchair shot put during the N.C. High School Athletic Association 1A/2A Indoor Track Championships on Feb. 11.

Sports Shorts

News Staff
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Body ANDREWS Team shoots and scores The Andrews shooting team competed in its first competition of the season on Feb. 18 in Canton.
Ryan Hanchett/sports@The Highlander Hiwassee Dam’s Katie McNabb plays defense on Highlands’ Beatrice Bryson during the Lady Eagles’ 43-36 loss to the Lady Highlanders in the first round of the NCHSAA playoffs on Feb. 23.

Ryan Hanchett/sports@The Highlander Hiwassee Dam’s Katie McNabb plays defense on Highlands’ Beatrice Bryson during the Lady Eagles’ 43-36 loss to the Lady Highlanders in the first round of the NCHSAA playoffs on Feb. 23.

Highlands stymies Eagles

Justin Fitzgerald
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Body Highlands – There was no fear in the Hiwassee Dam girls basketball team as they made the trip up the mountain to Highlands for the first round of the N.C.
Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Hiwassee Dam’s Preston Hyde knifes through the lane during the Eagles’ 63-58 loss to Swain County on Dec. 2. The two teams met again in the first round of the state playoffs on Feb. 21, with the Maroon Devils coming out on top, 71-62.

Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Hiwassee Dam’s Preston Hyde knifes through the lane during the Eagles’ 63-58 loss to Swain County on Dec. 2. The two teams met again in the first round of the state playoffs on Feb. 21, with the Maroon Devils coming out on top, 71-62.

Eagles fall in first round

Justin Fitzgerald
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Body Hiwassee Dam – For the second straight year, the Hiwassee Dam boys basketball team was in a similar position in the first round of the N.C.
Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy’s Lailee Holloway goes to the basket during the Lady Bulldogs’ 76-69 loss to Robbinsville on Feb. 14.

Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy’s Lailee Holloway goes to the basket during the Lady Bulldogs’ 76-69 loss to Robbinsville on Feb. 14.

Lady Dogs’ season comes to end against East Wilkes

Justin Fitzgerald
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Body After making the four-hour trek as the No. 27 seed, the Lady Bulldogs started strong and led at halftime before eventually fading in the second half to end the season with a 49-38 loss.
Charles Bilcoinish/Contributing Photographer Murphy’s Dillian Brown rises for a jumper during the Bulldogs’ 80-49 loss to Bishop McGuinness during the second round of the state playoffs Thursday night.

Charles Bilcoinish/Contributing Photographer Murphy’s Dillian Brown rises for a jumper during the Bulldogs’ 80-49 loss to Bishop McGuinness during the second round of the state playoffs Thursday night.

Dogs’ year ends again at Villains

Justin Fitzgerald
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Body The Villains had not lost to a 1A team all season, including a dominant run through the Northwest Piedmont Conference that included three wins over Winston-Salem Prep, which Murphy beat 64-60 in the first round two days earlier.
Serena Smith/Avery Journal-Times Andrews’ Cam Rattler tries to maneuver a layup over the outstretched arm of Avery County’s Landon Ingham during the Wildcats’ 62-61 loss to the Vikings on Feb. 21

Serena Smith/Avery Journal-Times Andrews’ Cam Rattler tries to maneuver a layup over the outstretched arm of Avery County’s Landon Ingham during the Wildcats’ 62-61 loss to the Vikings on Feb. 21

Cats suffer first-round heartbreak

Justin Fitzgerald
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Body A few mistakes cost No. 19 seed Andrews late, and the No. 14 Vikings took advantage, allowing them to come away with a 62-61 win.
Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy’s Lochlan Rogers is caught from behind by Robbinsville’s Desta Trammell in the Lady Bulldogs’ 76-69 loss to the Lady Knights on Feb. 14.

Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy’s Lochlan Rogers is caught from behind by Robbinsville’s Desta Trammell in the Lady Bulldogs’ 76-69 loss to the Lady Knights on Feb. 14.

Lady Dogs come up short in tournament semifinals

Justin Fitzgerald
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Body Andrews – It was deja vu for Murphy in the Big Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament semifinals against Robbinsville.
Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy’s Cole Laney looks for an opening in the Robbinsville defense during the Bulldogs’ 63-52 loss to the Black Knights in the Big Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament championship on Friday.

Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy’s Cole Laney looks for an opening in the Robbinsville defense during the Bulldogs’ 63-52 loss to the Black Knights in the Big Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament championship on Friday.

Dogs fall in scrappy tournament finale

News Staff
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Body Andrews – An already frustrating night for the Murphy boys basketball team in the Big Smoky Mountain Conference tournament final ended on a tense note.