Mavs find offensive rhythm against Panthers
Brandon Dake, senior
The Mavericks have won two of their last three games, showing improvement and discovering their shooting touch.
Anderson County capped the week Friday night with a dominant 82-39 victory over Cumberland Gap in its District 4-AAA opener at home.
Brandon Dake led the Mavericks with 27 points, one of three players in double figures. Cam Lawson added 22 points, while Hayden Craig finished with 13.
“We haven’t played well offensively, and we’re still trying to get it all figured out, but last week, we made some shots and we got Dake going a little bit,” Mavericks Coach Jordan Jeffers said. “He’s been struggling.”
Earlier in the week, Anderson County fell to Northview Academy 79-61 on Tuesday, Dec. 10.
“They’re good, and we just couldn’t stop them,” Jeffers said of the Cougars.
Dake again led the Mavericks with 17 points. Lawson scored 14, and Craig added 12.
Anderson County opened the week Monday, Dec. 9, with an 87-57 win over Oneida.
Dake posted a game-high 31 points. Ethan Nelson added 24, Craig had 15, and Lawson finished with 11.
Although the Mavericks are still defining their team identity, Jeffers is encouraged by their progress.
“I’ve seen improvement just about every time we’ve played,” he said. “I really like this team. They’ve been fun to coach. They’re fun to be around, and we’ll get it figured out. People usually start to key in on basketball after Christmas break.”
Anderson County played Scott on Tuesday, but results were not available at press time. The game marked the Mavericks’ first district road contest, and Jeffers described it as a key matchup for his team.
On Thursday, Anderson County will open play in the three-day Hammers Hardwood Classic.
The Mavericks, one of the hosts, will face McMinn County at 8 p.m.
