Top-tier schedule challenges Mavericks as season starts
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Anderson County’s Hayden Craig drives into the paint during the Mavericks’ early game against Sevier County on Saturday. Craig had an 18-point performance in the second game of the Hall of Fame play day. - Tony Cox
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Anderson County’s Bradon Dake had 10 points against the Sevier County Smoky Bears during the early game of Saturday’s Hall of Fame play day. - Tony Cox
Despite starting the 2024-25 season with three straight losses, Anderson County boys basketball Coach Jordan Jeffers remains optimistic.
“I was pretty pleased, but I’m never happy when we get beat,” said Jeffers, now in his third season leading the Mavericks. “If you look at our strength of schedule, we’ve played the toughest schedule in the state through our first three games.
“I don’t think you can find three tougher teams than the three we’ve played,” he said. “I’m still excited about the season.”
On Saturday, Anderson County hosted a Hall of Fame play day, opening against Sevier County, a Class 4A team with high expectations. The Mavericks fell to the Smoky Bears 84-53.
“We did some good things against Sevier County; we were only down by 12 at the half,” said Jeffers, who has guided the Mavericks to back-to-back District 4-AAA tournament championships.
Cam Lawson led Anderson County with 14 points, while Brandon Dake added 10.
In their second game of Saturday’s doubleheader, the Mavericks lost to Heritage 60-50, despite an 18-point performance from Hayden Craig and 14 points from Ethan Nelson.
“We did some things to give ourselves a chance to win against Heritage, but we also shot ourselves in the foot,” Jeffers said. “Right now, the biggest thing for us is to find consistency. We need more consistent effort.
“I know our team is going to change a little bit once we get our football players back,” he added.
Several Anderson County basketball players are also on the football team, which is preparing for a state semifinal game Friday night in Macon County.
The Mavericks tipped off their season Tuesday, Nov. 19, with a Hall of Fame game at Webb School of Knoxville.
Webb, a Division II-AA state tournament team last season, defeated Anderson County 78-34 in West Knoxville. Dake led the Mavericks with 19 points, while Lawson added seven.
