Cherokee’s Dustin Johnson (#10) goes for a shot in the first half of Friday’s game at Blue Ridge as the Bobcats’ Hunter Stewart (#22) and Madison Rice (#25) watch. Johnson led the Braves with 13 points on the night.
By SCOTT MCKIE B.P.
ONE FEATHER STAFF
CASHIERS – The Cherokee Braves (1-0) got their 2014-15 campaign going in good fashion as they traveled to Blue Ridge on Friday, Dec. 5 and demolished the Bobcats 77-37. Cherokee had three players in double figures and got some nice play from the bench.
“I think we played really well,” said Braves head coach Willis Tullos. “We did a good job on defense, and we shot the ball well. I think we’re going to have a good ball club. We’re just going to get better and better the more we work. They play hard, and that’s the key to everything – playing hard.”
Dustin Johnson led the Braves with 13 points followed by J.J. Benjamin with 12 and Steven Straughan with 10.
Cherokee started the game with a full court press and kept the Bobcats on their heels all night long. The Braves led 24-12 after the first quarter and took a nice 50-20 lead into the locker room. Due to the lead, Coach Tullos was able to get some nice bench play and the starters were able to rest almost half of the second quarter.
Cherokee extended its lead in the third quarter to 70-33 and then cruised to a 40-point win.
Other Braves scorers included: Brock Powell 4, Brandt Sutton 6, Simon Montelongo 6, Kennan Panther 9, Pex Crowe 2, Jaymius Lossiah 2, Logan Teesateskie 5, and Eli Littlejohn 8.
Blue Ridge scorers were: Christian Mirales 4, Cruz Lugo 2, Derek Gilbert 1, Hunter Stewart 12, Madison Rice 3, and Gage Sistare 15.
To view and purchase photos from this game, visit
https://onefeather.smugmug.com/SPORTS/BASKETBALL/BRAVES-BASKETBALL-201415/At-Blue-Ridge-December-5/
Eli Littlejohn (#35) lines up for a foul shot. He had 8 points on the night.
