Sports

Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Andrews’ Kinleigh Queen gets the ball up court during the Lady Wildcats’ 53-26 win over Nantahala on Jan. 16.

Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Andrews’ Kinleigh Queen gets the ball up court during the Lady Wildcats’ 53-26 win over Nantahala on Jan. 16.

Lady Cats take down Nantahala

Justin Fitzgerald
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Body After a 70-35 loss to Hiwassee Dam six days earlier, the Lady Cats couldn’t practice and then had a game against Franklin on Jan. 13 postponed because of snow. Despite a slightly sluggish start, Andrews was able to turn up the pressure on the Lady Hawks and cruise to a 53-26 win.
Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy’s Zach Kessler looks to the official to see if he’s pinned Cherokee’s Jessie Catolster-Hernandez during the Smoky Mountain Conference Wrestling Championships on Saturday.

Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy’s Zach Kessler looks to the official to see if he’s pinned Cherokee’s Jessie Catolster-Hernandez during the Smoky Mountain Conference Wrestling Championships on Saturday.

Dogs take 3rd at SMC

Justin Fitzgerald
Tuesday, January 24, 2023
Body “That was our goal from day one,” head coach Mike Catuto said. “Last year, we were last in the points at this tournament.
Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Andrews’ Kegan Ellis slices through the Highlands defense during the Wildcats’ 72-24 win over the Highlanders on Jan. 17.

Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Andrews’ Kegan Ellis slices through the Highlands defense during the Wildcats’ 72-24 win over the Highlanders on Jan. 17.

Wildcats cruise past Highlands

Justin Fitzgerald
Tuesday, January 24, 2023
Body The Wildcats jumped out to a big early lead against Highlands, including a running clock for most of the fourth quarter. All healthy players got playing time and scored in the 72-24 win.
Photos by Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Tri-County Early College’s Landon McCoy (left) and Logan DiCicco (right) sprint to the finish line of the boys 55-meter dash of the Swain Polar #3 meet on Jan. 11.

Photos by Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Tri-County Early College’s Landon McCoy (left) and Logan DiCicco (right) sprint to the finish line of the boys 55-meter dash of the Swain Polar #3 meet on Jan. 11.

Going for gold in the cold

News Staff
Wednesday, January 18, 2023
Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Andrews’ Donovan Bateman tries to cut off Hiwassee Dam’s Preston Hyde during the Wildcats’ 61-49 over the Eagles on Jan. 10.

Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Andrews’ Donovan Bateman tries to cut off Hiwassee Dam’s Preston Hyde during the Wildcats’ 61-49 over the Eagles on Jan. 10.

Cats surge past Eagles after half

Justin Fitzgerald
Wednesday, January 18, 2023
Body “We just kept playing and found the way to take the lead,” Maennle said. “And brought it home from there.”
Serena Rodriguez/Virginia Tech Athletics Andrews native Tucker Holloway was named an All-Atlantic Coast Conference honorable mention for his performance as a punt returner for Virginia Tech this fall.

Serena Rodriguez/Virginia Tech Athletics Andrews native Tucker Holloway was named an All-Atlantic Coast Conference honorable mention for his performance as a punt returner for Virginia Tech this fall.

No redshirt season

Justin Fitzgerald
Tuesday, January 17, 2023
Body “It was pretty cool, kind of a crazy whirlwind of a season,” Holloway said. “Started off not knowing how much I’d play but kept preparing, preparing and preparing and not playing but finally got my opportunity and took advantage of it.”
Murphy alum and former Florida offensive lineman Yousef Mugharbil (left) is transferring to the University of Colorado, which is now run by head coach Deion Sanders.

Murphy alum and former Florida offensive lineman Yousef Mugharbil (left) is transferring to the University of Colorado, which is now run by head coach Deion Sanders.

Sports Shorts

Justin Fitzgerald
Wednesday, January 11, 2023
Body BOULDER, Colo. Mugharbil on to Colorado