By Gary Corsair
Staff Writer
Coach Mike Cottrell reminded his boys basketball team that wearing the varsity Gold and Black is a privilege, not a right, by taking away their jerseys, warm-up music and spotlight introduction Monday night.
The Yellow Jackets, 8-6, playing in JV jerseys that they thought they’d never wear again, received Cottrell’s message, loud and clear and responded with a spirited 72-14 victory over the mismatched Nantahala Eagles, 2-8.
“I was pleased with the feel of the team tonight. They were much more focused. We’re working on it. We can’t accept less than we’re capable of,” Cottrell remarked after his team roared to a 11-0 lead, increased the spread to 54-11 by halftime, held the Eagles scoreless in the third period and coasted to victory.
You have to be focused when you’re dribbling with one hand and holding up your shorts with the other, which was how Logan Caldwell operated in the opening four minutes of the game.
Still, Caldwell frustrated Nantahala ball handlers with one hand and really bothered them after having his shorts taped to his waist. Logan finished with 8 points on 4 of 5 shooting, five steals, four assists and two rebounds playing less than half the game.
The majority of minutes went to hungry Yellow Jackets who usually see limited playing time. The bench brigade didn’t disappoint. Hayesville blistered the twine on 24-of-39, firing 62 percent. The Yellow Jackets only made a handful of turnovers.
Landon Hughes made the most of his opportunity, pumping in 4 hits from 3 point range, scoring 13 points and grabbing two rebounds.
Sixth man Isaac Chandler was equally impressive with 4 of six shooting, 10 rebounds and 9 points.
All 12 Hayesville players landed in the scorekeeper Beth’s book.
Kyle Lunsford continued his torrid shooting, bucketing 6 of 7 from the field for 13 points, to go with six rebounds and two assists. Ethan Hooper was also hot, drilling all 4 deuce attempts in a 12 point, four assists and two rebound showing.
Jakob McClure posted four rebounds, 3 points and two assists, Seth Hedden had 4 points and three boards, Cade Denton made four steals and scored a basket, Slade Crouch added 5 points and three caroms, Luke Lee contributed four rebounds, Taylor McClure cleared three boards, and Asher Brown hit the lone shot he attempted.
Every Jacket played like a seasoned veteran, which is exactly what Cottrell and his staff have been seeking. It’s exactly what they’ll be looking for when Blue Ridge Early College visits on Friday night for a rematch of a 75-25 Hayesville blowout in the season-opener.
Unfortunately, the “focus” Cottrell saw Monday was lacking Friday at Hiwassee Dam, a team Hayesville handled 72-53 earlier in the season.
Hiwassee Dam 59,
Hayesville 51
“We’re just not ready to win yet,” Cottrell said after the Yellow Jackets fell behind with 3:39 on the first-quarter clock and never regained the lead.
“We’re not mature enough to go on the road in a tough environment and win these games yet,” Cottrell continued. “We’re trying, the kids are trying, they’re just not quite there yet. We’ll get there, but we’re taking some lumps right now. We’re learning some lessons and it’s hard for these kids. They want to win. We’re not tough enough yet.”
Hayesville did make things interesting in the final two minutes of play. McClure lit fuse by blocking a shot, which led to a pair of free throws by Lunsford at the other end that trimmed the Hiwassee Dam advantage of 52-48. Unfortunately, Hayesville had missed two free throws just prior to that.
The Yellow Jackets got no closer.
Hayesville struggled putting the ball in the hole, making just 14-of-38, 37 percent, of doubles and only 3 of 15, 20 percent, triples.
On the plus side, the Yellow Jackets made 12 of 16 from the charity stripe and only committed eight turnovers.
“Hiwassee Dam played great. We didn’t make enough plays to take the lead. We’re still learning to do that,” Cottrell said. “I have complete confidence this team will get it together and have a remarkable season toward the end of the year.”
There were several moments when things really clicked. First and foremost, Brown stealing the ball four times in the span of a minute and Lunsford rocking Hiwassee Dam’s world with six defensive rebounds and 4 baskets in a row, all earned the hard way.
Lunsford’s most impressive moment came with Hayesville down 40-32, when he grabbed a defensive rebound and dribbled the length of the court like a point guard for a bold lay-up.
Lunsford finished with 16 points, 7 of 11 from the field, 2 of 2 at the line and nine rebounds. Brown accumulated 14 points and four rebounds.
Caldwell contributed 10 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Hooper had 6 points, four boards, two assists, and two steals. Chandler scored 2, grabbed five rebounds and handed out two dimes.
McClure added five rebounds and 2 points. Denton and Hedden had 2 points apiece.
Caldwell and Hooper also performed well across the board in the previous game with visiting Robbinsville.
Robbinsville 58, Hayesville 46
Hayesville hung tough in the first half against visiting Robbinsville last week, but the Yellow Jackets couldn’t overcome a constant parade to the free throw line by the Black Knights.
Robbinsville shot nearly twice as many free throws at Hayesville, 24 to 13, and made 15 of the freebies to claim a 58-48 Smoky Mountain Conference varsity boys basketball victory.
Twenty-three of Robbinsville’s free throw attempts – and all 15 makes – came in the second half after the Black Knights clung to a 22-20 lead at the intermission.
The charity tosses helped Robbinsville stave off a Hayesville rally that saw Caldwell score 9 of his 11 points in the fourth period. He also had three steals and two rebounds in the game.
Hooper led the Yellow Jackets scoring attack with 16 points. He also handed out two assists. Hooper and Caldwell combined for six 3 pointers.
McClure was big on both ends of the court, clearing 10 rebounds, scoring eight points, making two steals and taking two charges.
Lunsford tossed in 4 points to go with three rebounds and two assists. Chandler scored 4 and pulled down three boards. Brown had six caroms and a point, Denton grabbed two rebounds and Hedden added two points.
Robbinsville improved its near perfect record to 10-1. Hayesville fell to 6-5.