LEDGER — The Mitchell High varsity girls’ basketball team started its season on a high note by winning its season opener on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 55-41 at Smoky Mountain.
The two teams were tied at 9 after one quarter, but Mitchell surged ahead in the second quarter and held a 27-20 advantage at halftime.
The Mountaineers (1-0) outscored Smoky Mountain 17-9 in the third quarter to extend the lead and coasted through the final quarter en route to the win.
Mitchell was led by senior Marley Cloer, who poured in a game-high 22 points. She was 5-for-10 from 3-point range and 7-for-13 from the field.
Senior guard Jill Pittman chipped in 13 points to go along with her team-high five assists.
Senior Paige Johnson added nine points and Cloer and junior Chandra Jenkins tied for the team lead in steals with four each.
The Mitchell defense forced Smoky Mountain into 26 turnovers. The Mountaineers committed just 16 turnovers.
The Mountaineers were scheduled to host Smoky Mountain on Saturday, Jan. 9 but the game was canceled and rescheduled for Saturday, Jan. 23.
Mitchell is scheduled to host R-S Central on Wednesday, Jan. 13 before hitting the road for conference games at Owen (Jan. 15) and Mountain Heritage (Jan. 19).
Boys’ basketball
The Mitchell High varsity boys’ basketball team was edged 58-52 at Smoky Mountain in the season opener on Wednesday, Jan. 6.
Mitchell (0-1) led 15-11 after one quarter but Smoky Mountain outscored the visitors 20-9 in the second quarter to take a 31-24 lead into halftime.
The Mountaineers trimmed the lead to five after three quarters but Smoky Mountain outscored Mitchell 13-12 in the final quarter to maintain the lead.
Seniors Jeremy Sparks and Caius Arrington paced the Mitchell offense with 16 points each and senior Ty Pitman added 10 points.
Arrington pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds, including 10 on the defensive end. He also led the team in assists with seven.
A rematch between Mitchell and Smoky Mountain originally scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 9 in Ledger was canceled and rescheduled for Saturday, Jan. 23.
The Mountaineers host R-S Central then have back-to-back road games against Owen and Heritage.