Mavs are on a roll as season 2021-2022 begins
Brandon McGhee drives for two against Loudon. (photo:Ricky Williams )
Last Thursday, the Mavs picked up a 76-35 win over visiting Loudon.
“That was our first action with the football kids; I thought we played really well,” said Derek Wallace, head coach of the Mavericks.
The Mavericks jumped out to a 26-8 lead in the first quarter on the scoring of Connor Martin, Bryson Vowell and Brandon McGhee.
They built a 45-15 halftime lead and never looked back.
The Mavericks’ defense was dominant in the contest as they forced 34 turnovers and had 24 steals.
Martin led all scorers with 19 points, while Vowell chipped in 15 and Brandon McGhee had12.
LHS 8 7 12 8 35
AC 26 19 26 7 78
LHS: Jayden Capshaw (9), Nolan Bethel (9), Eli Milssaps (4), Troy Lee (3), Adams Hawkins (2), Aaron Stigall (2), Connor Carr (1), Dawson Walker (1)
AC: Connor Martin (19), Bryson Vowell (15), Brandon McGhee (12), Ryan McGhee (6), Carter Nelson (5), Zeke West (4), Jacob Dooley (4), Tate Russell (3), Brandon Phillips (3), Cole Russell (3), Brandon Dake (2), Gracen Bradshaw (2)
On Saturday, the Mavericks picked up three wins at home.
Anderson County picked up win No. 1 of the day 75-55 over the homeschool Knoxville Ambassadors.
“I got sick,” Wallace said. “I wasn’t feeling great and after the first game, I went home. I wasn’t even there for Greenback and Sunbright. Coach [Brian] Stewart and Coach [Mitch] Cupples handled coaching duties. The kids played well. We’re pressing this year and it’s hard to play three games, especially three in four-and-a-half hours. Our last two were back-to-back and it was a lot to ask. They did what they could.”
To their credit, the Ambassadors kept the score close in the first half, trailing only 33-27 at the break. The score apparently served as a wake-up call for the Mavericks as they pounded the Ambassadors to take a 58-35 lead in the third quarter. The Ambassadors made a late push, but it was too little, too late and the Mavericks claimed the win.
Connor Martin led all scorers with 19 points while Brandon McGhee added 12 points as did Carter Nelson.
KA 13 14 8 20 55
AC 15 18 25 17 75
KA: Josh Brackney (14), Josh Pless (12), Stone Hill (9), Ethan Smith (5)
AC: Connor Martin (19), Brandon McGhee (12), Carter Nelson (12), Tate Russell (8), Bryson Vowell (6), Zeke West (5), Ryan McGhee (4), Hayden Craig (4), Cole Russell (3), Brandon Dake (2)
The Mavs beat Greenback 65-26.
Though it was a one-point game entering the second quarter, Anderson County pulled away to a 29-13 lead at the half. The Mavericks had 20 steals and forced 28 turnovers.
They put Greenback away with a 36-13 third quarter in a shortened game to win 65-26.
Brandon McGhee led all scorers with 17 points.
GHS 8 5 13 26
AC 9 20 36 65
AC: Brandon McGhee (17), Ethan Degenhart (9), Connor Martin (8), Zeke West (8), Ryan McGhee (6), Bryson Vowell (5), Tate Russell (4), Brandon Dake (4), Jacob Dooley (2)
The Mavericks also picked up a 50-45 win over a scrappy Sunbright squad.
Anderson County took control in the first quarter and managed to hold the lead throughout the game despite a 21-point outburst from Sunbright in the fourth quarter.
Zeke West led the Mavericks with 14 points, while Conner Martin added 12.
SHS 7 9 8 21 45
AC 11 16 12 11 50
SHS: Jonah Freels (21), Cole Branstetter (10), Garrett Rogers (6), Colton Nitzchke (4), Nathan Ward (2), Logan Kreis (2)
AC: Connor Martin (19), Brandon McGhee (12), Carter Nelson (12), Tate Russell (8), Bryson Vowell (6), Zeke West (5), Ryan McGhee (4), Hayden Craig (4), Cole Russell (3), Brandon Dake (2)
The Mavericks return to action with a game at Maryville on Tuesday Nov. 30. They return home Friday, Dec. 3 to face district and crosstown rival Clinton. Tip-off for both games is 7:30 p.m.