By AMBLE SMOKER
ONE FEATHER STAFF
MURPHY – The Cherokee Middle School Braves traveled to Murphy to play the Andrews Wildcats in the opening round of the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament on Saturday, Feb. 1. The Braves turned the heat up on the Wildcats in the opening minutes with their stingy defense, only allowing 3pts in the first quarter and 3 more in the second. The Braves took a whopping 19-6 lead into the locker room at the half.
Led by Josiah Lossiah and Isaiah Evans on defense, both players became a ball hawk by routinely picking the pockets of the ball handler and intercepting errant passes. The Braves frustrated the Andrews offense as they had trouble getting the ball past mid court and made it almost impossible to get to the paint.
With the game well in hand, CMS head Coach Micah Swimmer eased off the throttle in the middle of the third quarter. Andrews took full advantage and started to rally but ultimately came up short as the Braves took the game 55-43.
