Wing and prayer

Andrews – With 5.2 seconds left, Drea Cutshaw posted a layup.

The shot gave the Lady Wildcats a 28-27 advantage in the waning moments of Nov. 16’s back-and-forth tussle against Robbinsville; a game which the Lady Knights led 6-3 before Andrews went on a 12-2 run before halftime to pull ahead.

But with ice in her veins, Daphne Barlow maintained her composure as she pulled down the ball from Cutshaw’s basket. She broke up the floor, crossed over half-court to the typical volleyball line and the Robbinsville Middle School wing unloaded a prayer into the air inside the Ken Solesbee Athletic Center.

When the shot connected, a mixed reaction followed: heartbreak for Andrews, but shrieks of joy for Robbinsville, which improved to 2-2 on the season with the 30-28 triumph.

“Our team played with grit,” head coach Brittany Snider said after the thrilling conclusion. “We struggled shooting the ball early in the game. At halftime, we talked about playing tough and never giving up. Our girls came out in the second half determined and protecting the basketball.”

Indeed, the Knights struggled to maintain ball control and fell susceptible to turnovers in the first half. Robbinsville limited Andrews to an 8-2 third quarter, but still trailed 17-16 entering the fourth.

Buckets from Cassidy Sudderth and Bella Coats kept the hope alive, but only tied the game before Zaelyn Phillips sank a pair of foul shots with 5:45 to go – the first of which gave the Knights their first lead since the opening stanza.

Unwilling to relinquish the momentum so easily, Andrews continually produced responses – including what could have been the mood-killer with 5.2 left in the scramble.

“Andrews did a great job making sure that Drea hit that big shot with 5.2 seconds left,” Snider said, with a tip of the cap. “Daphne hitting that game-winning bank shot was incredible. I am extremely proud of our effort in the second half. I’m proud to be a part of this team and witness their greatness.”

All told, Zayleigh Chekeleelee produced 11 points to lead Robbinsville’s offensive attack. Barlow and Phillips both had five each, while Sudderth sank a 3-pointer in the fourth to keep the dream alive.

Zachlan Chekeleelee, Emory Chekeleelee and Coats each contributed a basket to the final outcome, as well.

Black Knights

Spoiler alert: Robbinsville Middle School’s lads have a finely-tuned team.

The Black Knights ran their season ratio to 5-0, producing 128 combined points in a two-game span – to the opposition’s 45 – by defeating Andrews 57-32 and Martins Creek in a boys-only, home appointment Monday, 71-13.

Cameron Allison led the output against the Wildcats with 18 points. Others to score were Elijah Kirkland 9; Braylen Blevins and Landen Eddings, with 8 each; Xamuel Wachacha 6; Bam Nelms 4; and both Carsan Snider and Peyton Weaver, 2 apiece.

With the result well in-hand Monday, the scoreline became even more crowded for Robbinsville.

Snider emerged with the advantage, dropping 12 on the Hornets. Also contributing to the cause was Blevins 10; Eli Lambert 9; both Kirkland and Allison, 7 each; Eddings and Wachacha, 6 apiece; Peyton Brooks, 4; Bam Nelms 3; Truett Burchfield, Khayton Swimmer and Micah York, 2 each; and Zayvian Wachacha, 1.

Following the Thanksgiving break, Robbinsville returns to action Monday at Hayesville. Tip-off is at 4 p.m.