Two teams representing the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians won championships at the NASA basketball tournament held in Cherokee on Jan. 16-17, and two more EBCI teams won second place.

Dustin Johnson, Braves senior point guard, scored the first five points of the game and just kept going as he led Cherokee to a 96-55 win at Swain on Friday, Jan. 16.

The Cherokee Lady Braves (14-0) remained unbeaten on the season with a big win at Swain on Friday, Jan. 16 as the Lady Braves topped the Lady Maroon Devils 87-35.

This is the first installment in a weekly sports column where I’ll highlight Cherokee athletes and coaches, provide some “insight” (or my take on insight) on games, sometimes discuss national sports news, and give my “sporting must-sees” for the weekend which will include my picks for live and televised events not to miss.

The Cherokee Middle School Braves and Middle School Lady Braves traveled to Robbinsville for an away game against the Black Knights on Monday, Jan. 12.

The Cherokee Lady Braves (13-0) extended their undefeated campaign by defeating the Rosman Tigers 74-37 in an away game on Tuesday, Jan. 13.

The Cherokee Braves (14-0) recorded their first 100 point game as they defeated the hosting Rosman Tigers 103-71 on Tuesday, Jan. 13.

Last season, the Cherokee Braves (13-0), Robbinsville Black Knights (6-2), and Hayesville Yellow Jackets (9-5) tied for the top spot in the men’s Smoky Mountain Conference.