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Maroon Devil Donnavin Groenewold looking for an opening to shoot through to the basket.
Hannah Styles
hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com
On Friday, the Devils played a home game against the Hiwassee Dam Eagles.
In the first quarter, the boys finished seven points ahead of the Eagles with 17-10, in the second quarter ten points ahead with 24-14, but after halftime the Eagles caught a second wind, and managed to score three more points than Swain in that period with 23-21, but their soar ended in the fourth quarter when the Devils scored 21 points compared to their 14. Swain finished the game with a 83-61 win, making them two for two this season.
Top scoring players for Friday’s game were Isaiah Collins with 24 points, Charlie Collins with 13, and Joshua Collins with 11.
Cooper Hyatt had the highest number of assists in the game with six, followed by Carter Kirkland and Joshua Collins who had five.
Varsity Girls
Friday night was the first win of the season for the Lady Devils.
The girls got behind in the first period but quickly made it up in the second and went into halftime with a 21-15 lead and held it, ending the game with a 44-33 win.
All hands were on deck for this win, but Amaya Hicks led the night with a game high of 17 points and added six rebounds and two assists. Other notable players were Mazie Helpman who got nine points and five rebounds and Maddie Spates with seven points and six rebounds for the win.
The entire team played an outstanding game of basketball and never stopped pushing, which paid off for the win.
JV Boys
The Devils JV basketball team is now three for three this season, winning their game against Hiwassee Dam and Franklin.
The game with Hiwassee Dam was neck and neck in the first period, but the Eagles skyrocketed in the second quarter scoring 22 points, compared to Swain’s five, but after the half Swain came back, gaining 18 points in the third period, 20 to 15 in the 4th, tying the score.
When the game went into overtime, the Devils scored 14 points compared to Hiwassee Dam’s three and ended the game with a 66 to 55 score.
Reese Winchester got the game high with 32 points and 28 of those in the second half and overtime. Aidan Southards followed with 13 points and Malachi Cochran with seven points.
“The team showed great poise and determination to overcome losing starter Joe Glaspie early in the game to an injury and posting a comeback in the second half. Everyone contributed to the win and deserves credit for playing team basketball,” Coach Colby Hyatt said.
Another win for the Devils
On Monday night, Swain took on the Franklin Panthers for the third game of the season. It proved good for the Devils with a 83-70 win. The game stayed close in the first half with Swain and Franklin playing tug-o-war with the points, but Swain pulled out the lead going into halftime with 42-39.
The Devils got a second wind in the third period and played tough, earning their 13-point lead.
Top scorers in the game were Isaiah Collins with 24 points, Donnavin Groenewold with 19, Joshua Collins with 14, Carter Kirkland with 11, and Cooper Hyatt with 10.
Lady Devils
The Lady Devils fell just short of a win, as they fought it out with the Panthers, ending the game with a 65-52 loss.
The girls stayed neck and neck in the first half, but Franklin kicked into high gear in the final period, breaking through for several baskets, one right after the other, but the Lady Devils didn’t give up. They fought hard throughout the game and should be proud of the work they put in.
Notable players of the game were Amaya Hicks, Maddie Spates, Arizona Blankenship, and Mazie Helpman, but all the girls should be recognized for their perseverance and teamwork.
The Devils next game was Tuesday, Dec. 7 at Cashiers against the Blue Ridge Bobcats and on Friday they will take on the Franklin Panthers again at Franklin.