Middle school boys reach tourney semis; girls eliminated
Murphy – Well, that’s one way to send a message to the rest of the field.
Robbinsville (No. 3 seed, 9-4) shutout Swain County (No. 6) in the first half of the Smoky Mountain Conference Middle School Tournament quarterfinal Monday, heading into the locker room with a 35-0 advantage at the break.
All the Maroon Devils could muster across the final 14 minutes were a scant 12 points, as the Black Knights thumped Swain 49-12.
Cameron Allison led the crowded scoreline with 16 points, while Eli Lambert put in 13.
Also scoring for Robbinsville was Xamuel Wachacha, 10; Easton Shuler, 5; Braylen Blevins and Bam Nelms, 2 each; and Tucker Jones, 1.
To attain the championship, the Knights will have to get through the hosting Bulldogs in the semifinals – a game that took place after Wednesday’s press deadline. The title game will be at 5 p.m. today.
Lady Knights
Robbinsville (No. 4, 6-7) entered Monday’s quarterfinal with a season sweep of its opponent – Hiwassee Dam/Ranger (No. 5) in its corner.
But anyone who knows the old coaching adage, “It is tough to beat a team three times in a season,” had to be cautiously optimistic.
This time, the Lady Knights could not replicate their earlier successes. Robbinsville could not get into a groove when it mattered most, as the Eagles advanced forward with a 37-29 ascent.
“I’m super proud of the improvements this team has made this year,” Robbinsville head coach Brittany Snider told The Graham Star. “But we’re going to do a lot of work in the offseason.”
Dutcher led Robbinsville’s offense in the loss, scoring 10. Chloe Adams and Daphne Barlow both recorded 4, while Zaelyn Phillips and Zayleigh Chekeleelee each had 4. Others to score for the Knights were Cassidy Sudderth and Aaliyah Wolfe, 2 apiece; and Zachlan Chekeleelee, 1.