The Cherokee Lady Braves (20-2) cinched the Big Smoky Mountain Conference regular-season title with a 60-48 win at Hayesville on Thursday, Feb. 7. They are undefeated in the conference this season.
Kendall Toineeta led the way for Cherokee with 18pts followed by Avery Mintz with 17. The game was close in the first half with both teams tying at 16 after the first period and Cherokee taking a one-point lead (31-30) in the locker room for halftime.
But, the Lady Braves came out for the third period on fire and lit up the scoreboard with 20pts while holding Hayesville to 7. The Lady Yellow Jackets outscored Cherokee 11-9 in the fourth period, but it was not enough as the Lady Braves took the 12pt win and the regular season conference title.
Other Lady Braves scorers included: Deija Burgess 8, Bree Stamper 3 and Jordyn Thompson 14.
Hayesville was led by Megan McQuade who poured in 34pts. Other Lady Yellow Jackets scorers included: Rachen Benson 7, Courtney McNabb 2 and Amanda Thompson 5.
The Braves (11-9) lost 71-41 to BSMC leader Hayesville. Seth Littlejohn led Cherokee with 16pts.
Hayesville outscored Cherokee in every period including a 23-7 third period.
Other Braves scorers included: Raven Frankiewicz 4, Dustin Johnson 2, Derrick Ledford 3, Chris Queen 4, Brandt Sutton 2, Darius Thompson 3 and Jesses Toineeta 7.
Hayesville scorers included: Winston Acosta 2, Cass Coleman 17, Zach Cottrell 23, Braxton Cox 5, Peyton Long 3, Isaac Mills 4, Chris Rhinehart 10, Day Day Williams 2 and Dylan Williams 2.
– ONE FEATHER STAFF REPORT
