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SM basketball teams to open practice next week
Smoky Mountain’s men’s and women’s basketball teams will open practice next week.
The Lady Mustangs will start at 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27.
The JV girls will also begin Monday. They will have a meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the gym lobby followed by practice at 7 p.m.
The Mustang men will open practice at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28. The varsity and JVs will work together initially as a number of players from both squads are still involved in fall sports.
“We’re looking forward to getting started,” Coach Cindi Simmons said of the Lady Mustangs. “We’ve got a good group returning, and we’re excited about some of our newcomers.”
SM was 20-5 last year and won at least a share of the Western Athletic Conference title for the third straight year.
“We’re coming off a successful season, and with three starters returning we have good experience,” she said.
The senior trio of returnees includes Ashley Robinson, who has been all-conference for three years, Tasha Junaluska, a two-year All-WAC performer, and Flea Johnson, who was chosen all-conference a year ago.
Simmons said Pisgah, the team that tied SM for the league title a year ago and won the conference tournament, figures to be the team to beat this season.
She will again be assisted by Eric Toedtman and Ollin Dunford. Dunford will be the head JV coach with Leah Setzer back as his assistant.
The Mustang men had the best record in school history last year when they went 23-3.
“We’re excited, and I hope our kids are excited,” Coach Jimmy Cleaveland said. “We’ve got a great opportunity in front of us. They had a great off season and have worked extremely hard. Hopefully, it will pay off for us.”
Senior Colton Hunt and sophomore Jackson Simmons both were chosen all-conference last year.
Senior Dillon Dunford was all-conference as a sophomore but missed most of last season with a knee injury. He sustained another knee injury during the off season but hopes to be able to play this year.
“Everything is going good,” Cleaveland said of Dunford’s injury. “I’ve been pretty much assured that he’ll be cleared and ready to go.”
Another returning starter, senior Cort Smith, was honorable mention all-conference last year.
Cleaveland said Brevard is a team to watch out for after fielding a young roster last season. Pisgah was the state 2-A runner-up last year and should again be solid, Cleaveland said.
“Night in and night out it will be tough,” he said. “We have high expectations. I think we should be picked right there at the top. Hopefully, we can live up to those expectations.”
Adam Phillips will again serve as Cleaveland’s assistant. Brandon Pendergast is back to coach the JVs with Daniel Mitchell his assistant.
The men and women have scrimmages set for Nov. 11 at Mitchell and Nov. 13 at home against Cherokee before opening the regular season Nov. 18 at home against Owen.
The schedule is as follows:
Nov. 18 – Owen; 21 – Asheville; 26 – at Owen.
Dec. 2 – Enka (no JVs); 5 – Franklin; 9 – at Asheville; 13 – Swain; 19 – at Swain; 22 – at Franklin; 29-30 – Christmas Tournament at West Henderson (North Buncombe and Erwin).
Jan. 6 – at Madison; 9 – Brevard; 13 – East Henderson; 16 – at North Henderson; 20 – West Henderson; 23 – at Pisgah; 30 – at Brevard.
Feb. 3 – at East Henderson; 6 – North Henderson; 10 – at West Henderson; 12 – Pisgah; 16-20 – WAC Tournament at North Henderson.
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