Blue Ridge Early College boys varsity basketball team took on Hiwassee Dam on Tuesday in the first round of the Little Smoky Mountain Conference basketball tournament, but lost with a final of 63-44. The tournament was hosted by Highlands School this year.
BREC Kaleb Fugate snags a long pass in the first round of the LSMC tournament against Hiwassee Dam.
“The boys did really well, we started out executing our plan and it was great to see them all play,” said BREC Coach Cristian Mireles. “The season was great and was a learning curve, and just a process on teaching the game. We have almost the whole team back next year and we are excited to hit the ground running.”
BREC Korbin Walters brings the ball down court and shoots a three pointer.
BREC Korbin Walters said they tried some new things that didn’t go as planned.
“Hi dam wasn’t the greatest game, and we tried a new play that didn’t work out the greatest,” said Walters. “We lost our entire varsity team last year and the team this year had never played varsity before, it was definitely a new experience playing at that level and we had a fun time!”
The Bobcats will lose Senior Colton Taylor next year and Walters said he will be missed.
“I’m definitely going to miss playing with Colton,” said Walters. “It will be a big loss for us but we’ll be ready for next year.”
BREC Senior Colton Taylor passes the ball inside against Hiwassee Dam.
BREC Kaleb Fugate said they came out strong against Hiwassee in first half, but had trouble managing Hiwassee’s size advantage.
He added he’s sorry the season has come to a close, but is looking forward to hitting the court next year.
“I’ll probably miss hanging out playing the sport I love with my friends, the vibe when we got back to the locker room,” said Fugate. “There’s always next year, and this was a regrouping year after getting a new coach. We’ll be back better and stronger than ever next year so watch out.”
BREC Jacob Pressler uses Carson Druffel’s pick and drives to the basket.
BREC Collin Bryson grabs a rebound on Tuesday.
BREC Carsen Williams wrestles for a loose ball against Hiwassee Dam.
BREC Carson Druffel drives through Hiwassee Dam’s defense on Tuesday.
Article and photos by Brian O’Shea
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