Basketball Game Preview: Cherokee Braves vs. Erwin Warriors

Braves

Points

12/13/25 @ Varsity Opponent	50
12/12/25 vs Summit Charter Academy	81
12/09/25 @ Highlands	75
12/05/25 vs Nantahala	71
12/04/25 @ Franklin	41

The Cherokee Braves will be taking part in a tournament against the Erwin Warriors at 6:30 p.m. on Monday. Cherokee is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 63.6 points per game this season.

Cherokee is probably headed into the game with a chip on their shoulder considering Varsity Opponent just ended the team's three-game winning streak on Saturday. They lost to Varsity Opponent on the road by a 68-50 margin.

Samuel Hernandez put forth a good effort for the losing side as he posted 14 points and five boards. Tsula Howlingcraine was another key player, putting up seven points.

Meanwhile, Erwin hadn't done well against McDowell recently (they were 0-9 in their previous nine matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Friday. The Warriors pulled ahead with a 57-56 photo finish over the Titans. The victory was all the more spectacular given the Warriors' disadvantage in MaxPreps' North Carolina basketball rankings (they are ranked 415th, while the Titans are ranked 112th).

Cherokee better keep an eye on Jackson Davis. He was instrumental in Erwin's win, dropping a double-double with 18 points and ten rebounds. The team also got some help courtesy of Noah Houdham, who went 5-for-10 to rack up 13 points.

Erwin was working as a unit and finished the game with 15 assists. That's the most assists they've managed all season.

Cherokee's loss dropped their record down to 3-2. As for Erwin, their win bumped their record up to 2-5.

Rebounding is likely to be a big factor in this contest: Cherokee has been smashing the glass this season, having averaged 33.8 boards per game. However, it's not like Erwin struggles in that department as they've been averaging 25.6 rebounds. With both teams battling to corral missed shots, we'll see if one team can grab an edge Check MaxPreps after the action for a full breakdown of the game and more basketball content.