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.

The Cherokee Lady Braves (12-0) extended their undefeated streak to 12 after a home win over Robbinsville on Friday, Jan. 9.

Dustin Johnson, Braves senior point guard, scored his 1,000th career point during a game at Murphy on Tuesday, Jan. 6.

Cherokee (11-0) scored 1/10th of their total points in the first minute as they jumped on the Lady Bulldogs of Murphy 72-34 on Tuesday, Jan. 6.