Gary Ayers
ayers5315@bellsouth.net
A slow offensive first-half resulted in a tight game heading to the locker room with Highlands up 15-11, but a strong second-half propelled the Lady Highlanders to a 46-27 win over the Lady Devils varsity basketball team Monday, Jan. 27 at the Swain High gym.
The first quarter saw multiple turnovers by both teams as Carley Teesateskie gave Swain the early lead with a basket for a 2-0 lead. Ae Woods answered for Highlands with a 3-point field goal to give Highlands their first lead, but Jayden Smiley poured in a bucket to put Swain back on top 4-3. Molleigh Woodard scored an old-fashioned 3-point play with a basket and free throw for a 7-5 lead after Hunter Conner scored for Highlands. And that was the total scoring for the first quarter as neither team scored a point in the final 4:00.
Miley Teav got the Lady Devils rolling with a basket to start the second quarter as Swain led 9-5. Another basket by Conner kept Highlands within two at 9-7 but Teesateskie hit another shot to give the Lady Devils their final lead of the night at 11-7. The Lady Highlanders scored the final five points of the stanza to take a 15-11 half-time lead as the Lady Devils didn’t score in the final 3:20.
The slow, deliberate offense employed by Highlands, combined with turnovers by both teams, kept the scoring low. Highlands had a more productive third quarter, out-scoring Swain 14-6, as Emily Stargell and Teav had buckets complimented by a free throw each by Tessateskie and Woodard for Swain as Highlands surged ahead 29-17 to end the quarter after the tight first-half.
Turnovers continued to haunt the Lady Devils in the final quarter with Cara Aldridge, Teesateskie and Faith Woodard scoring, but the Lady Highlanders had their best quarter for the 46-27 win.
Teesateskie led Swain with 11 points and nine rebounds and Faith Woodard added nine rebounds for the Lady Devils.
The Lady Devils quickly rebounded the next day with a road win at Hayesville 35-27 Tuesday, Jan. 28.
The Lady Devils played another close, hard-fought game on the road Friday, Jan. 31 at Murphy. Swain led after the first quarter 7-4, but Murphy came back to take a 2-point half-time lead 19-17. Murphy increased their lead with a big third quarter, out-scoring Swain 17-7 for a 36-24 lead. The Lady Devils came back with a strong fourth quarter before falling 47-40 at Murphy.
Cherokee game
One of the most dominant teams in Smoky Mountain Conference girls’ basketball in recent history rolled into the Swain High gym Tuesday night, Feb. 4 and did what they have done the past two seasons: dominate.
The Cherokee Lady Braves, the defending 1A state champs, used a pressure defense that caused 18 Swain turnovers in the first quarter and led to a 44-4 lead after the first eight minutes. The Lady Braves brought a big following with one of the biggest crowds of the year packing the gym. And with speed, quickness and their relentless defense, Cherokee jumped out quickly to a 38-2 lead.
Aaliyah Rogers and Whitney Rogers combined for 15 first quarter points, while Swain had baskets from Cara Aldridge and Emily Stargell. Cherokee missed few shots, and the resulting Swain turnovers provided the Lady Devils few scoring opportunities in the first quarter.
Swain protected the ball better in the second quarter, allowing for Jayden Smiley, Molleigh Woodard, Madison Blankenship, Faith Woodard and Carley Tessateskie to can buckets for Swain. The Lady Braves continued their torrid scoring pace, which averages 79 points per game, with Joscelyn Stamper scoring seven points in the quarter to give Cherokee a commanding 76-16 half-time lead.
A running clock was mercifully used in the second half with the Lady Devils being held to five points in the third quarter and two points in the fourth quarter for the final score of 112-23.
Cherokee’s only losses this year have been to Winston-Salem Christian National, ranked #1 in North Carolina in all classes and Hebron Christian, Ga., ranked #3 in the USA.
The Lady Braves have not been challenged in conference play this year, with their closest margin being 42 points in an 84-42 win over Hiwasee Dam. Cherokee improves to 17-2, 7-0, while Swain stands at 4-12 overall and 1-5 in SMC play.