The Smoky Mountain Mustangs basketball squad (Sylva, NC), was nudged 53-48 in Friday's non-league battle with the visiting Cherokee Braves (Cherokee, NC)

With the victory, Cherokee advances its record to 2-0 on the year. The Braves host Andrews (Andrews, NC) to meet the Wildcats in a non-league battle on Friday, December 13. The Wildcats enter the battle with a record of 1-2.

The Mustangs now own a 2-2 record. They put it on the line next when they travel to Robbinsville for a non-league battle on Monday, December 9.