By Gary Corsair
Sports Writer
Hayesville’s girls faced two Smoky Mountain Conference challenges this week — at Murphy on Tuesday and from visiting Swain County on Friday — after the Lady Jackets upped their win streak to four with a 52-48 knockout of Andrews in a SMC tussle Friday.
The Lady Jackets, 9-6 overall, 4-1 SMC, cemented the victory at home with composure and focus during a second half that featured seven lead changes and intense moments in the final minutes.
Hayesville trailed 48-45 when Ava Shook sparked a feverish comeback with 2:34 left to play by blocking a shot, grabbing the ball, jetting uphill and getting fouled on a layup. Her free throw pulled Hayesville within
two.
Next, Briley Clampitt forced an Andrews turnover on the VIP sideline. Hayesville then regained control, 49-48, when Micalynn McClure cooly smoked a three-pointer from the corner on an assist from Clampitt.
Andrews then broke the press and got a decent look, but missed, and Hayesville’s Lucy Trout grabbed the ball with 1:04 remaining. Shook dribbled the clock down, then hit a charity toss for a 50-48 edge with :39 left.
Andrews tried a pair of three-pointers in the final :08 but couldn’t counter another defensive rebound and two free throws by Trout that sealed the deal.
The thrilling finish was fitting for a team that refused to bow to the scrappy Wildcats.
Hayesville was in control 27-24 at the half, went up by seven midway through the third, fell behind 37-36, then regained control when Clampitt fought for a defensive rebound and Jasmine Brooks scored to put the Lady Jackets in the driver’s seat 38-37 at the third stop.
Hayesville’s second half effort was impressive in many ways.
For one, the Lady Jackets only committed one turnover in the third quarter. Secondly, everyone contributed.
Shook was dynamite in the final two quarters and Trout and Clampitt were gun powder.
Shook had 7 points, three boards, a block and an assist following the intermission.
Trout added 4 points, two rebounds and an assist. She also hit a runner in the lane that broke a 43-all tie prior to grabbing two crucial boards during crunch time.
Clampitt always seemed to be in the right place at the right time, never more so than when she scored 3 points on a hoop-and-a-harm that put Hayesville up 41-39 with 5:48 on the clock.
She grabbed six caroms, scored 3 points, had a steal and handed out a dime after halftime.
Hayesville’s blasting caps Brooks, three rebounds, two assists and 2 points; Caroline Wade, 2-for-2 in the second half; McClure, Aaliyah Jackson and Ava Moore and also made noise at crucial times.
Hayesville 54, Robbinsville 53
Shook lit up the gym with 21 points to propel the Lady Jackets past the Lady Knights.
Once again, Hayesville refused to be rattled during a crucial, nip-and-tuck fourth quarter. The Lady Jackets trailed 44-41 entering the final eight minutes but seized the lead and refused to let go.
Robbinsville led 16-10 after one quarter and 29-25 at halftime.