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Maroon Devil Connor Hyatt advances the ball
The Maroon Devils varsity basektball team picked up their first win of the season on Tuesday as they traveled to Cherokee. Swain exploded for 31 points in the 3rd quarter and 51 in the 2nd half to pull away and take an 80-69 win.
Sophomore Donnavin Groenewold scored 23 of his team high 29 points in the decisive 2nd half to help spark the Devils. Groenewold had 10 in the 3rd period to go along with Noel Wolf’s 8 points and Judaiah Littlejohn’s 7 to pace the Devils strong quarter.
LIttlejohn finished with 16 points, including 11 in the 2nd half. Overall, the Maroon Devils were 19 of 24 from the free throw line for the game.
The season opener Friday had Swain hosting the Andrews Wildcats.
The Maroon Devils got off to a solid start, building a 20-13 lead through the 1st quarter of play. Andrews scortched the nets in the 2nd quarter, outscoring Swain 34-7 to build a 47-27 hafltime advantage and cruise to a 90-69 Smoky Mountain Conference win.
It was a tough way for the Maroon Devils to start their season. Andrews is one of the favorites in the conference this year. Junior guard Kabe Ellis scored 41 points to lead the Wildcats, Ellis scored 25 points before halftime, with most of them coming in the Wildcats red hot 2nd quarter.
Junior Noel Wolf paced Swain with a team high 25 points, while senior Nick Millsaps pulled down 8 rebounds before fouling out with 6 minutes remaining in the game.