Sports

Swain Indoor Track competes at Winston Salem

Hannah Styles hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com   On Saturday, Jan. 8 the Maroon Devils indoor track team traveled to JDL Fast Track in Winston Salem for the Just Don’t Lose Classic 2022. Out of 50 teams Swain was the only 1A to compete and held their own against 3A and 4A schools.
Neil Blankenship

Neil Blankenship

Coach Blankenship hangs up his hat

Staff Reports   At noon on Tuesday, Swain County Schools announced that Swain County High School Head Football Coach Neil Blankenship is stepping down. In the statement, Blankenship cited wanting to spend more time with his family, as well as feeling it was time for a change.
Maroon Devil Carter Kirkland scored 19 points against the Blue Devils.

Maroon Devil Carter Kirkland scored 19 points against the Blue Devils.

Maroon Devils hoops end the year right

Hannah Styles hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Maroon Devils ended the year strong with several games and a tournament last week. The teams played a conference game against Hayesville on Dec. 21 and a non-conference game on Dec.
Owen Craig takes down an opponent from Enka Jets at the Devils Duals.

Owen Craig takes down an opponent from Enka Jets at the Devils Duals.

Maroon Devils go 4-1 in last match of the year

Hannah Styles hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com   On Wednesday, Dec. 22, Swain County High School hosted five schools in the Devil Duals wrestling tournament. The team went 4-1 for the day but lost in the championship round to the Robbinsville Black Knights.
Arizona Blankenship scored 13 points against Brevard and had 5 assists.

Arizona Blankenship scored 13 points against Brevard and had 5 assists.

Lady Devils rack up points at Christmas Classic

The Lady Devils swatted the Hayesville Yellow Jackets conference game on Dec. 21 with a 14-point win for a final score of 41-27. Highest scoring players for the game were Amaya Hicks, Mazie Helpman, and Savana Smith with 12 points each.
Swain Maroon Devils football was welcome back at the first game of the season with Head Coach Neil Blankenship at the lead.

Swain Maroon Devils football was welcome back at the first game of the season with Head Coach Neil Blankenship at the lead.

Swain sports highlights of 2021

Hannah Styles hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Track and Cross Country Lady Devils track and cross country were on fire this year, winning the SMC cross country conference in January, SMC track championship back in June, and then were named 1A Cross Country State Champions in November!
Photo by Hannah Styles/SMT Cooper Hyatt bounds above the opponents’ heads for an incredible shot against Andrews.

Photo by Hannah Styles/SMT Cooper Hyatt bounds above the opponents’ heads for an incredible shot against Andrews.

Devils slay the Knights, scald the Wildcats

Hannah Styles hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com     The Swain County High School Maroon Devils Varsity Basketball team is currently ranked 4th in the North Carolina 1A Division thanks to two wins last week.
Amaya Hicks leaps for a layup against Andrews

Amaya Hicks leaps for a layup against Andrews

Lady Devils redeemed in win against Wildcats

Hannah Styles hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Unfortunately, the Lady Devils varsity basketball team just couldn’t pull it off against the Lady Black Knights, last Tuesday, losing their game 56-28.