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Murphy Lady Bulldogs Crowned Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament Champions – Murphy 56 Robbinsville 49

Murphy Lady Bulldog Basketball Team Accept the 2021-2022 Smoky Mountain Conference Championship Trophy

Tough Defense and Speedy Tempo – Themes for the Murphy Lady Bulldogs and Robbinsville Lady Black Knights

By Brandon Stephens

(Bryson City) – – Murphy will keep the Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament Championship title as well as the regular season conference crown. Robbinsville did not allow the Lady Bulldogs to claim the Championship easily.

First Half – Murphy 26 Robbinsville 17

Full-court press from Robbinsville was countered by Murphy maintaining good shooting. Coach Lucas Ford pushed the Lady Black Knights in a full-court press that stifled Murphy through the early moments of the game and did not back down through the remainder of the contest. The strong defense helped keep Robbinsville within reach of the Lady Bulldogs. Murphy didn’t take as many shots as it has in the past few games. The Lady Bulldogs shot 50% (11 shots made on 22 attempts) through the first half while Robbinsville struggled to make 4 shots from the floor on 25 attempts. Murphy fought to get past the tenacious “in-your-face” defense Robbinsville played, the Lady Bulldogs were whistled for four shooting fouls. Foul shots kept the Lady Black Knights alive in the first half. Murphy’s Torin Rogers and Addie Johnson hit the greatest number of shots with good inside and outside play. Rogers had 10 points at the halftime break and Johnson eight points, including 2 three-pointers. Murphy 26 Robbinsville 17 at the break.

Second Half – Robbinsville makes a Late Attempt take over the game – Trammell builds on her free-throw record

Robbinsville proved it is a very competitive and talented team with a great demonstration of how to hit the big shots and keep the opponent on its toes. Robbinsville and Murphy did not have the best third period. Murphy started the second half with a scoring drought and didn’t score until the 4:43 mark when Torin Rogers hit a 2-point basket in the paint. The Lady Black Knights hit three shots from the floor early and rode out the third period with a few foul shots.

Murphy and Robbinsville fans, packed in the Swain County High gym like sardines, knew their paid admission to the game was a deal after witnessing the fourth period. Robbinsville cranked out 24 points and improved their shooting percentage to 55% to pursue Murphy. Desta Trammell, who recently set a state record for consecutive free-throws made, kept the nylon hot beyond the 3-point arc. On the free-throws, Trammell should have about 49 consecutive free-throws after this game and can build the record as Robbinsville goes to post-season play. Desta hit 3 three-pointers, which were complemented by Delaney Brooms and Yeika Jimenez. Once again Robbinsville tried to smother Murphy with its defense and did keep the Lady Bulldogs to a lower shooting percentage and forced some fouls that placed the Lady Black Knights on the foul-line. Time became Robbinsville’s enemy, which force the Lady Black Knights to foul Murphy to gain new scoring opportunities. The fourth quarter became a little more physical as Murphy’s Amber Martin fouled out along with Robbinsville’s Halee Anderson.

Murphy held a 14-point lead going into the fourth period, which gave the Lady Bulldogs some cushion for Robbinsville’s comeback threat. Torin Rogers ended the game with 28 points, which included 8 in the four period. Keys to keeping the lead were making free-throws and a clutch 3-point shot from Lailee Holloway. Final score, Murphy 56 Robbinsville 49.

Thoughts on the game

Winning the Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament Championship in a setting that has not always been the best setting for Murphy is setting a good feeling with Lady Bulldog Head Coach Ray Gutierrez. “It feels great. It’s like I told the girls, to be the best team in the toughest conference in the state speaks volumes of who they are. I am so proud to come over here in a hostile environment. The place (Swain County High School Gym) was rockin’ and pull out a win against a top five team in the state. I told Coach (Lucas) Ford afterwards, there is probably a good chance we will see them (Robbinsville) again in a week or so. They are a great basketball team. You know our kids…I can’t explain to you how proud I am of them,” Coach Gutierrez stated after the Championship game. His full interview is available at the link in this story.

The Murphy Lady Bulldogs are all toothy smiles and expressions of excitement for their win over Robbinsville to take the Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament Championship. Torin Rogers lead all scorers. “It feels great to win. You know Robbinsville, it’s a great rivalry game. To play like we did and come home with a win its super exciting. It’s good momentum to take into play-offs,” Rogers stated after the game.

Good defense and keeping the offensive motion in step accounted for Amber Martin’s play against Robbinsville. Martin’s leadership was key to keeping the Lady Bulldogs on task and Robbinsville at a distance. “Games like this are important. It makes it a little stressful, especially for the younger girls (Lady Bulldogs). Throughout the game I would look over and see them smile after doing something good. That was great,” Martin said after the game. The full interview with Amber Martin and Torin Rogers is available at the link in this story.

Stats

Scoring (listed as it appears by player number)

Murphy

Calista Adams – 3 points

Torin Rogers – 28 points (1 3-Pointer)

Addie Johnson – 11 points (3 3-Pointer)

Amber Martin – 4 Points (1 3-Pointer)

Lailee Holloway – 7 Points (1 3-Pointer)

Emma Ledford – 1 Point

Turnovers – 12 (8 in First Half and 4 in Second Half)

Shooting Percentage – 47% (20 of 43 shots from the floor) Free-throws 65% (11 of 17)

Robbinsville