Smoky Mountain Big 1-A Preview
Smoky Mountain Big 1-A Conference Preview
Returning POY Deland ThomasCherokee looks to be front runner in the Smoky Mountain 1-A Conference this season. Tye Mintz and Holden Straughn are the top returning players for the Braves. Junior Josiah Lossiah can control the game and passes well. He is also a solid on ball defender. Cherokee looks to be the team to beat this season after finishing 19-9 last season.
Rosman-Reigning Smoky Mountain Conference Player of the Year, Deland Thomas is back for his senior season. He averaged 24,7 points per game this past season. Also returning is Thomas’ little brother, sophomore Hooper Thomas who averaged 15 points per game this past season. Junior Samuel Chappel is returning along with his 4 points and 3 rebounds per game.
Hayesville-Western Carolina University recruit Josh Cottrell is the go-to-guy for Hayesville again this year. Cottrell averaged 27.1 points per game this past season.
Swain-The Maroon Devils return one of the top big men in the conference with junior Zeke Bradley. The 6-foot-6 Bradley averaged 12 points per game last season to go along with 4 rebounds. He scored career highs of 20 points against Hayesville and Rosman last season. Also look at Brier Younce, a 6-foot-2 guard/wing who averaged 9.3 points per game last season to compliment Bradley in the scoring column.
Murphy-The Bulldogs return senior Hagan Newton, who averaged 10.9 points and 8.2 rebounds per game last season. Also returning is Jeremiah Clark who averaged 10.6 points per game and 2020 guard Justice Dorsey who averaged 9 points per game last season. Murphy may end up surprising some people with all of the scoring that they are bringing back this season.
Robbinsville-The Black Knights are coming off a 14-14 record from last season and should be in the talks as a team that could potentially have a shot at a playoff spot for the upcoming season.