Murphy – The Lady Knights entered the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament with vindication in mind.
Sadly, the chance for redemption slipped away in the waning seconds of Feb. 17's quarterfinal clash with Andrews (No. 4, 13-11), as the Lady Wildcats closed out a 3-0 record over Robbinsville (No. 5, 13-11) this season by clawing by the Knights 51-48.
Zaelyn Phillips led Robbinsville with 12 points, five rebounds, two steals and one assist in the defeat. Zayleigh Chekelelee had 10 points and a trifecta of assists, rebounds and steals, while both Zachlan Chekelelee and Aaliyah Wolfe each posted seven.
Rounding out the scoreline were Abby Wehr 5; Novie Dutcher 4; and Bentley Riggins 3.
Drea Cutshaw paced the Wildcats' offense with 18 points.
Seeding for the playoffs will take place Saturday and the first round will be held Tuesday. Follow The Graham Star on Facebook – as well as @KevinHensleyCNI on X – for updates on the Lady Knights' postseason fate.
Season wrap-up
Robbinsville split its final two games of the regular docket, thrashing Rosman (4-18) on Feb. 11, 51-13; before dropping the conclusion Feb. 12 at Murphy (15-9).
Phillips again led the way, amassing 11 points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block. Riggins finished the evening with 10 points and seven boards, while Wehr recorded nine points, seven steals, four rebounds, three assists and one block.
Also scoring for the Lady Knights were Wolfe 8; Zayleigh Chekelelee 5; Zachlan Chekelelee 4; and both Dutcher and Tiara Welch, 2 apiece.
Zoey Owen led Rosman with eight points.
The following night, Robbinsville came out on the losing end of a 44-41 thriller at Murphy. Zayleigh Chekelelee topped the scoreline with 10 points, six rebounds, three assists and one steal. Riggins posted nine points, eight rebounds, one assist and one steal, while Phillips had eight points, five rebounds, two steals and one block.
Others to score for the Lady Knights were Wehr 6; Wolfe 5; and Zachlan Chekelelee 3.
Both Emma Hensley and Emma Laney emerged as Murphy's scoring leaders, dropping 10 each. Hensley sank both the go-ahead and game-winning lay-ups at the respective 1:12 and 10-second marks of the nailbiter.
Junior varsity
Robbinsville (6-6) dropped its final two junior varsity games of the year, losing to Murphy 49-19 on Feb. 12 and falling 59-27 in its tournament opener to Cherokee on Feb. 16.
Brooklyn Cox had nine points to lead the Lady Knights in the regular-season finale. Also scoring was Emory Chekelelee 5; and both Emery Beasley and Bella Coats, 2 each.
Cox again led the offense Feb. 16, dropping 14 on the Lady Braves. Others to contribute were Beasley 4; Chekelelee and Coats, 3 apiece; Hannah Lynn 2; and Caislee Lane 1.