This past Tuesday, the Rebels traveled to Cherokee Bluff to take on the Bears for their second matchup of the season. Fannin looked to redeem themselves from the first time they played the Bears and endured a 76-57 loss.

Fannin started with the ball from tipoff where they claimed an early lead. Chandler Kendall was the first to score any points for the night as he made a layup and led the Rebels in scoring with fifteen points. Cherokee Bluff played in a heavy defense where they pressed the Rebels and made it harder for them to score. Fannin managed to keep their lead for most of the first quarter until the Bears tied up the game 8-8. Cherokee Bluff kept adding onto their score and closed out the first quarter with a 16-8 lead over Fannin.

Although the Rebels were behind, they played with great intensity. Sophomore, Cohutta Hyde, was able to push through the defense and make his way to the basket where he added nine points to Fannin’s score. Hyde had great looks inside to Joel Kinser who contributed six points to the Rebel’s score. Other senior post, Nathaniel Garrison, was aggressive on the block and even made a three point shot as he put eleven points on the board. Hyde drove the lane to make a buzzer shot as he put the score at 35-22 where the Bears kept their lead.

The Bears continued to press the Rebels at the start of the third quarter. As Fannin pushed through the heavy defense, they started to draw fouls. Sophomore, Kaeden Twiggs, drove the lane where he drew a foul and added two points to Fannin’s score. Brady Martin showed off his ball handling skills as he pulled up for a jump shot and drew a foul where he went two for two, and added four points to Fannin’s score. Senior, Dahla Myers, drove the middle and drew a foul to add one point from the free throw line. Cherokee Bluff kept their lead as they put the score at 43-31.

The Rebels played with just as much intensity as they started the game with. After Jalen Ingram added three points to Fannin’s score for the night, he received his fifth foul and was removed from the game. Despite Fannin’s hustle, the Bears closed out the night with a 63-51 victory. Fannin’s loss put their overall record at 3-19 and their region record at 0-10. Catch the Rebels next game tonight at 8:30 pm as they take on East Hall for senior night!