Robbinsville, Murphy meet in conference title game tonight
Andrews – Every win this season has came down to this.
Tonight’s Smoky Mountain Conference finale at Murphy not only has playoff implications – the Lady Knights sit in first place in the division, as they share an identical record with the Lady Bulldogs, but knocked off the defending 1A state champions 67-53 on Jan. 26 – but a win would also mean Robbinsville’s first conference title since running the gamut in the 2009-10 campaign. The Lady Knights will not settle for a share of the prize.
“This is why you play: for games like this,” said Robbinsville head coach Lucas Ford. “I’m excited for the opportunity for the girls. It’s all about playing your best basketball at the right time. I feel like we’re playing really good together as a team. We’ve really improved throughout the year. To be able to compete for a conference championship – and have a top seed in the playoffs on the line, in the same night – is huge.
“It’s definitely not something we’re dreading; we’re looking forward to it.”
Robbinsville (12-1, 10-1) kept the good times rolling by defeating Swain in the home finale Friday night, 55-38 and knocking off Andrews 71-8 on the road Tuesday night.
The Knights escaped Bryson City with a 63-62 win on Jan. 19 and found themselves in a 13-13 tie with the Lady Devils (3-8, 4-9) midway through the second quarter. But Robbinsville thundered back, setting the mood for the rest of the game by going on a 15-9 run to close out the first half.
Yeika Jimenez’s strong night led Robbinsville’s attack, as the junior finished the game with a double-double: 16 points, 12 rebounds. She also mixed in three steals, one block and an assist; yet in true fashion, deferred the success to the Lady Knights as a whole.
“I got a little nervous when we were struggling (in the second quarter), but our team really got it together in the second half,” Jimenez said. “I really enjoy playing with this team.”
The Lady Knights opened a 16-0 lead Tuesday night before Andrews found the basket, with every player on Robbinsville’s roster seeing significant playing time as the game rolled on. The Knights shut out the Wildcats in the second quarter, with Andrews producing little to respond to the inside work of freshman Aubrie Wachacha (9 rebounds) and senior Karcee Dooley (5 rebounds).