On Friday, Jan. 28 during games against Murphy, a special honor was given to Zach Cottrell, son of Michael and Jenny Cottrell in retiring his No. 34 jersey. Cottrell was a member of the Yellow Jackets basketball team from 2013-16.
During his time at Hayesville, Cottrell was a standout on the court as well as the classroom. He accomplished several individual accomplishments along with a great team success over his 4 years.
Collectively, his teams won 88 games; four straight conference championships and made three Sweet 16 appearances and eight appearances in the state playoffs.
Cottrell individually scored 1,978 career points, grabbed 976 rebounds, was a four time Smoky Mountain Conference player of the year, four time All Western N.C. Team, four time N.C. Basketball Coaches Association District Team, 2016 N.C. Basketball Coaches Association Player of the year, three time North Carolina All State Team, four time N.C. Preps All State Team, two time HHS Athlete of the year and was a participant in the NC/SC All Star Game.
Cottrell graduated from Hayesville High School with honors achieving a 4.4 GPA and earned the HHS Citizenship Award. Cottrell continued his basketball career at Appalachian State University, becoming the first HHS men’s basketball player to sign a full Division 1 scholarship.
Cottrell played 2 years at Appalachian State then finished his playing career with two great seasons at the University of North Georgia, serving as team captain both seasons. After graduating with a business management degree from North Georgia, Cottrell returned to Hayesville to pursue his business and finance with Jacky Jones and joined the Men’s Basketball Program as a volunteer coach for both the JV and Varsity teams starting in the 2020-21 season.
He had made an immediate impact to the teams by sharing his lifetime of basketball experience as well as his love and passion for the game with the young men in Hayesville’s program. Cottrell grew up in the gym with his dad and brother, learning how to play the game and exactly what it meant to wear the Hayesville name.
Cottrell was thanked for the impact he has made on the HHS basketball program. On Jan. 28, his legacy was honored as they retired his No. 34 jersey and from hence forth will be displayed in the Hayesville High School trophy case.