The Midway GreenWave kicked off the 2024-25 basketball season by splitting games with the Clarkrange Buffalos in the Hall of Fame game. The Lady Waves faced a tough challenge from the start and lost 47-70. The boys’ game was highly competitive throughout, with the Midway GreenWave pulling away in the fourth quarter to win 64-53.
Clarkrange is a community rich in basketball tradition. The Clarkrange Lady Buffaloes have won 8 state championships: 1983, 1984, 1985, 1990, 1991, 1995, 2004, and 2009. The Clarkrange High School boys’ basketball team has won three state championships: 2013, 2017, and 2018. This game served as a great measuring stick for both GreenWave basketball teams.
The Lady Waves are a strong team with high hopes this season; they just happened to face one of the top teams in the state in their first game. Clarkrange’s defensive pressure caught the Lady Waves by surprise in the opening quarter, forcing turnovers that led to easy baskets. The Lady Buffaloes built a 23-7 lead after the first quarter. However, the Lady Waves settled down in the second quarter, outscoring Clarkrange 19-17 and cutting the lead to 10, thanks in part to a couple of deep three-pointers from Kyleigh Cawood. Clarkrange responded by scoring on four consecutive possessions to take a 14-point lead into halftime (40-26).
The Lady Buffaloes came out strong in the second half, scoring 23 points in the third quarter to pull away 63-40. When the final buzzer sounded, the score was 70-47 in favor of Clarkrange.
Clarkrange was led by Kady Hopkins, who scored 27 points, followed by Lydia Phillips with 23.
Kyleigh Cawood led the scoring for the Lady Waves with 15 points, followed by Abbie Parks with 12.
The Midway GreenWave boys’ team is also loaded with talent. The GreenWave clung to a 14-13 lead after the opening quarter, setting the stage for an exciting game. The teams swapped baskets throughout the first half, with Clarkrange taking a 1-point lead into halftime.
In the third quarter, both teams continued to play fast, physical basketball, with Clarkrange maintaining a 1-point lead. However, the fourth quarter belonged to Midway, especially Brady Arndts. Brady connected on three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. Clarkrange found themselves in foul trouble in the closing minutes, and Midway collectively made 9 out of 14 free throws to seal the win.
Arndts led the scoring with 19 points, followed by Dalton Cowell with 17.
Midway basketball is back in action tomorrow (Tuesday) as they travel to West Knoxville to face Concord Christian.