Sports

Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Andrews junior Drew Martin (53) was named the 2021 Smoky Mountain Conference Lineman of the Year.

Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Andrews junior Drew Martin (53) was named the 2021 Smoky Mountain Conference Lineman of the Year.

County’s best in football, volleyball

Body Andrews junior Drew Martin led the way for Smoky Mountain Conference football honorees in Cherokee County by being named Lineman of the Year.
Murphy’s Christian Tighe lunges for the sand in the long jump during the Dec. 8 meet.

Murphy’s Christian Tighe lunges for the sand in the long jump during the Dec. 8 meet.

Indoor Track & Field

Body Bulldog Polar Bear #2 Dec. 8, 2021 Murphy Girls 300-meter dash
Hiwassee Dam’s Ashlyn Stiles tries to inbound the ball around Murphy’s Lailee Holloway on Friday at The Nest.

Hiwassee Dam’s Ashlyn Stiles tries to inbound the ball around Murphy’s Lailee Holloway on Friday at The Nest.

Lady Bulldogs breeze to win

Body Hiwassee  Dam – It wasn’t always pretty, but for the fourth straight game the Murphy girls basketball team came away with a win.
Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Andrews Emily Mealer works to the basket during the Lady Wildcats’ 52-12 loss to Hiwassee Dam on Dec. 7.

Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Andrews Emily Mealer works to the basket during the Lady Wildcats’ 52-12 loss to Hiwassee Dam on Dec. 7.

Lady Wildcats win first game since ’19

Body Andrews – For Andrews girls basketball, it’s no secret the last two plus seasons have been less than ideal.
Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Andrews freshman Kegan Ellis tries to get a pass off in the Wildcats’ 54-49 loss on Hiwassee Dam on Dec. 7.

Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Andrews freshman Kegan Ellis tries to get a pass off in the Wildcats’ 54-49 loss on Hiwassee Dam on Dec. 7.

Andrews looking to find its groove

Body Andrews – For Andrews boys basketball, the early parts of the season have seen some growing pains.
Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Hiwassee Dam junior Preston Hyde looks to drive to the basket during the Eagles’ 70-69 win over Murphy on Friday.

Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Hiwassee Dam junior Preston Hyde looks to drive to the basket during the Eagles’ 70-69 win over Murphy on Friday.

Eagles sweep county

Body Hiwassee Dam – As Ty Laney’s half-court heave came up short, those left in The Nest could finally exhale.
Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy’s Ashlyn Stroupe tries to keep up with the leader in the girls 500-meter dash.

Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy’s Ashlyn Stroupe tries to keep up with the leader in the girls 500-meter dash.

Indoor Track & Field

Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy junior Will Carringer looks to drive or dish during the Bulldogs’ 67-52 win over Fannin County on Saturday.

Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy junior Will Carringer looks to drive or dish during the Bulldogs’ 67-52 win over Fannin County on Saturday.

Bulldogs open season with a Fannin win

Body After practicing for just one week before the season opener against Fannin County, Murphy’s return to the court went mostly as planned. The Bulldogs led by as many as 22 points Saturday and bested the Rebels, 67-52.
Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Wildcats freshman Kegan Ellis makes a move in an attempt to shake a defender during Andrews’ 75-58 loss to Franklin on Friday.

Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Wildcats freshman Kegan Ellis makes a move in an attempt to shake a defender during Andrews’ 75-58 loss to Franklin on Friday.

Wildcats ‘played well’ despite loss to 3A

Body Andrews – First-year head coach Matt Maennle knew his team would have a tough time with the Panthers on Friday night.