Clutch shot keeps Robbinsville atop conference
Andrews – With 10 seconds left in Friday’s divisional game, Bryce Adams batted down the go-ahead jumper from Ty Clark.
Donovan Carpenter rushed away with the steal and after crossing half-court, Robbinsville called a timeout with four seconds remaining. The call was made to entrust junior shooting guard Darion Ledbetter with the potential game-winner off the inbound.
He did not disappoint. Ledbetter raced around the perimeter and as the clock neared zero, ran into a Wildcat double-team that he simply brushed off while taking flight and flicking a picturesque shot.
The attempt sank through the net, while the hearts of the Wildcat Nation sank into their stomach. Robbinsville had successfully ruined Senior Night for Andrews, 53-51.
“Coach (Jake) B(easley) had me driving to the basket, but I ended up getting double-teamed and tried to split that,” Ledbetter said. “I think I got fouled, but I was still able to put up the shot. I was a little nervous, but my team believed in me and I went out there to try and do what coach asked for.”
There was no denying the Cats in the first quarter. With emotions running high, Andrews (17-5, 4-4) drained seven from beyond the arc in the first quarter. To its credit, Robbinsville (15-4, 6-2) fed off Carpenter, Ledbetter and Kenyon Swimmer’s shots to only trail 23-21 after the first period.
The Cats were unable to take advantage of a languishing inside effort from the Knights in the second, holding firm to a 33-31 nod at intermission.
Robbinsville came to life after falling into a 10-point hole in the third, sawing a 43-33 deficit down to 43-42 by the outset of the fourth. Key components in the 9-0 run down the stretch were Carpenter’s spot-on passes and foul shots; a three from Roman Jones; and in a sign of things to come, a Ledbetter basket at the horn.
Carpenter led Robbinsville with 18 points, nine rebounds, three assists, a block and one steal. Ledbetter capped his night with 14 points, three steals, two rebounds and an assist, while Swimmer had nine points and two rebounds.
Others to score for the Knights were Jones 5, Quinn Jumper 3, and both Adams and Dane Knott with 2 each.
Following a win at Hayesville (11-11, 0-8) on Tuesday, the Black Knights have just two divisional games left to successfully defend their 2022-23 Smoky Mountain Conference title. To do so, however, will require wins over the two programs that have put a dent in the win/loss record: Swain County (15-5, 5-2) and Cherokee (11-7, 4-3).
The respective Friday and Tuesday match-ups will take place on the road, no less.
“We feel good, but we know it’s going to be tough,” Ledbetter admitted. “We think if we play our best, play defense and do what we do best, we’ll win and should get another conference title.”
Perfect trip
Wrapped around Friday’s win at Andrews was a 79-74 duel victory at Hiwassee Dam (6-13) and Tuesday’s buzz past the Yellow Jackets.
To subdue Clay Davis’ 36-point output in Hiwassee Dam, Carpenter lit up the board with 28 inside “The Nest.” Swimmer put up 19, while Adams hit 14.
Also scoring was Ledbetter 11, Jones 5 and Nathanael Shope 2.
Tuesday's trek to Clay County resulted in a 65-51 conference win over Hayesville.
Carpenter's 19 points led the Black Knights. Also scoring was Adams 16, Ledbetter 14, Swimmer 9 and Knott 7.
Junior varsity
Robbinsville (8-4) took 2-out-of-3 in JV action, defeating Hiwassee Dam and Hayesville.
The Knights downed the Eagles 44-24. Nathan Frederick continued to hit the rim like it owed him money, scoring 33 of Robbinsville’s points. Filling out the scoreline was Tucker Jones 3; and Kasen Buchanan, Slade Freeman, Tyler Patton and Everett Taylor with 2 each.
Tuesday, Robbinsville bested the Jackets 41-34. Frederick posted 30 and was followed by Isiac Collins, 9; and Tristen Blevins, 2.
Friday resulted in a tough 45-40 loss at Andrews. Frederick led the way again, scoring 15. Collins had 10, while Jones put up nine. Blevins, Buchanan and Taylor also had one bucket apiece.