By Gary Corsair
Staff Writer
Hayesville’s varsity Lady Yellow Jackets ended a three-game tailspin Monday night with a 68-22 romp over a winless Nantahala team’s weaker than a junkyard battery.
Breanna Abrams led the way with 17 points, the most points she’s scored in a varsity game as Hayesville easily eclipsed its previous team high of 44 points. Ava Shook, No. 15, Emma Ashe, No. 10, and Lakota Shelton, No. 7, also had career highs in scoring.
The outcome of the game was determined shortly after the opening tipoff.
Hayesville, 4-9, scored 23 points before Nantahala, 0-8, got on the scoreboard with a 3 pointer and 5:20 into the game.
Defense fed the offense on this night. The Lady Yellow Jackets had 8 steals in the first period and 10 more in the remaining three stanzas. All those thefts enabled Hayesville to torch the nets with 23 of 45 shooting in the first, second and third quarters. Only a chilly second period, 3 of 15, kept Hayesville from posing as sharpshooters.
“It was good to see the ball go through the hoop for a change,” Hayesville Coach Chad McClure remarked.
Hayesville, which usually hovers around 32 percent, made 26 of 70, 37 percent, of 2 point shots of the night.
The first quarter was probably the best eight minutes of the season for Hayesville, which scored 30 points, had eight steals, made just two turnovers and shot 10 of 16 from the field. That’s right, 10 of 16.
The Lady Yellow Jackets continued to show their superiority until the final horn, leading 36-8 at the half, and 56-19 after the third.
Abrams was one of the key instigators. The tilt-a-whirl with the ponytail also had seven rebounds, four assists and two steals. She also enjoyed her best shooting night of the year, making 5 of 12 attempts.
Shook also came up huge for the home team. The splendid splinter’s nine steals disrupted Nantahalas’ efforts to get into its offense and led to easy lay-ups. Shook sizzled with 7 of 10 shooting from the field, snatched three rebounds and handed out three assists.
Ashe also played brilliantly, draining a pair of 3 pointers, making four steals, handing out five assists, clearing two rebounds, and scoring 10 points.
Silky smooth senior Lila Roberts was simply superb with 7 points, five assists, four rebounds, three steals and flawless floor play.
Bryleigh Krieger looked comfortable playing the post where Mallory Peck commanded respect before suffering a season ending shoulder injury in the Battle of the States Holiday Basketball Tournament. Krieger collected seven rebounds, scored 6 points and had two assists.
Shelton was also a force in the paint. She collared eight boards and scored 7 markers. Briley Clampitt chipped in 6 points and three rebounds. Brooke Graves had three boards.
McClure is hoping the lopsided win bodes well for the second half of the season. He’ll know soon enough — Blue Ridge Early College, 4-6, comes to town on Friday and the Lady Yellow Jackets look to avenge a 53-42 loss they suffered to Blue Ridge in the opening game of the season.
“The Blue Ridge game will be a good test to see how far we’ve come. We’ve got to keep building our confidence,” McClure said.
The girls’ confidence certainly got roughed up last Friday at Hiwassee Dam.
Hiwassee Dam 43, Hayesville 21
The Lady Yellow Jackets had high hopes when Roberts swished a buzzer-beater from half court as the first period expired to cut the Eagles lead to 8-6, but poor shooting doomed the visitors.
Hayesville missed all eight 2 point shots in the first period and stayed cold in the second quarter while Hiawassee Dam built its lead to 18-9 at the half.
The fact that Hayesville trailed by less than 10 after shooting 1 of 19 from the field and 3 of 10 in the first half is a testament to the sticky defense and rebounding by the gold and black.
Ten of Hayesville’s 25 rebounds in the first half came off Hiwassee Dam misses.
The Lady Yellow Jackets finally found their shooting eyes after the intermission as Shook hit back to back buckets and Graves made her lone shot in the third to shrink the lead to 22-15.
Hayesville would get no closer. The Lady Yellow Jackets didn’t score in the last 6:18 of the period and the hosts upped their hold to 34-15 and cruised to victory.
Roberts’ inspired effort included eight rebounds, seven in the first half, and three assists to go with 3 points.
Shook was a thorn in the side of the Lady Eagles all night. Shook finished with five steals, two rebounds, a blocked shot, and 4 points.
Graves had 4 points on 2 of 3 shooting and cleared four rebounds. Krieger contributed five rebounds and 2 points. Ashe had three rebounds in addition to her three markers. Clampitt had 2 points on free throws and two boards. Abrams added four rebounds and 3 points.
The previous game, against Robbinsville, was also frustrating.
Robbinsville 54, Hayesville 26
Robbinsville All-State candidate Desta Trammell connected on six 3 pointers on her way to a 24 point outing Hayesville couldn’t overcome.
The Lady Yellow Jackets were in a considerable hole by the time Trammell began banging home long-distance bombs beginning in the second quarter. The Lady Knights trailed 13-3 after the first period. All 3 points came from Graves.
The futility continued in the next period, as Robbinsville outscored their hosts 14-5 to establish a commanding 27-8 half time hold.
Hayesville picked up the pace after the intermission, but it was a case of too little, too late.
Roberts led Hayesville with 9 points. Shook added 5, Ashe had 4, Graves 3 and Abrams and Clampitt scored 2 a piece.