Photos by Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Andrews clinched its first conference championship since 1983 on Friday night with a 42-12 win over rival Murphy.
Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Andrews O’Malley Salinas (in red) took first in the 1A West Regional Championship on Saturday. Salinas will run again during this Saturday’s state meet, as will Hiwassee Dam’s Ethan Russell, who is just behind Salinas at this point in the race.
Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy's Liv Payne (23) celebrates a point with her teammates during the Lady Bulldogs' four-set win over Alleghany in the second round of the state playoffs Tuesday night.
Phil Stone shot lower than his age in both rounds to take the gold medal in his group.
Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Both Hiwassee Dam (left) and Andrews (right) saw their seasons come to an end on Oct. 17 in their respective conference tournaments.
The Murphy junior varsity football team won a share of the Smoky Mountain Conference title this fall, along with Robbinsville and Swain County.
Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy’s Liv Payne tries to hit the ball through the block of Cherryville’s Carson Reid (left) and Rileigh Kiser (right) during the Lady Bulldogs’ straight-set win over the Lady Ironmen on Saturday in the first round of the state playoffs.
Haley Coffey/Contributing Photographer Andrews’ Austin Martin tries to shake off Robbinsville’s Cuttler Adams during the Wildcats’ 28-12 win over the Black Knights. Martin had 164 yards of offense and two touchdowns in the win, which was Andrews’ first over Robbinsville since 1998.
Dave Guffey/Contributing Photographer Murphy’s John Ledford (20) and Jonah Hedden (25) lead a group of Bulldogs trying to bring down the Swain County ball carrier during Murphy’s 20-14 win over the Maroon Devils on Friday night.