Basketball Recap: Kailey Broom's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Smoky Mountain over East Henderson

If Smoky Mountain was riding high fresh off their 70-42 takedown of East Henderson last Tuesday, their most recent game may have dampened their spirits a bit. The Smoky Mountain Mustangs fell 57-47 to the East Henderson Eagles on Friday. The Mustangs were not able to repeat the success they had when they faced the Eagles earlier this season, when they won 70-42.

Kailey Broom

Steals

02/14/25 vs East Henderson	6
12/10/24 vs Swain County	4
12/05/24 @ Swain County	4
01/17/25 vs East Henderson	3
02/11/25 @ East Henderson	2
+ 14 more games

Smoky Mountain's defeat came despite a true team effort with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Kailey Broom, who posted seven points along with nine rebounds and six steals. Smoky Mountain is 3-1 when Broom posts three or more steals, but 6-15 otherwise. Another player making a difference was Kieaira Ensley, who scored ten points and six boards.

Even though they lost, Smoky Mountain smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 16 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least nine offensive rebounds in five consecutive matches.

East Henderson's success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but Mamie Hill led the charge by going 9-for-15 en route to 19 points in addition to six steals and five assists. The team also got some help courtesy of Kayden Henderson, who dropped a double-double with ten points and 11 rebounds.

Smoky Mountain's loss dropped their record down to 9-16. As for East Henderson, their win ended a four-game drought on the road and puts them at 10-15.

Smoky Mountain does not have any more games scheduled as of now. As for East Henderson, they will square off against Pisgah at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday. One thing working in Pisgah's favor is that they have posted at least 55 points in their last three games.