By Gary Corsair
Sports Writer
Hayesville's varsity boys racked up 87 big ones at Nantahala on Tuesday, even though the Yellow Jackets starting five played less than half the game and the clock ran during dead balls and free throws once the two teams were 40 points apart.
The North Carolina High School Athletic Association mercy rule kicked in early in the second half when Kyle Lunsford stole the ball and fed Logan Caldwell for a fast break lay-up that put Hayesville on top 58-18. The Yellow Jackets inflated their lead to 46 before the Eagles scored their first points of the quarter.
Numbers wise, Hayesville's 87-33 victory over Nantahala, 2-10, was a tour de force: an 11-1 start, 25 of 37 field goal shooting, 67.5 percent, 8 of 18 3-point firing, 44.4 percent and 16 of 21 free throw shooting, 80 percent.
The Yellow Jackets could have scored at least 100 points, maybe 120 or 130 if the starters had played long enough to break a sweat.
Fortunately for Nantahala, Hayesville coach Mike Cottrell didn't play any of his starting five in the fourth period.
The Yellow Jackets certainly put up impressive numbers, to be sure, but Cottrell was more concerned with intangibles like screening, moving without the ball, boxing out, trapping on defense, taking care of the ball, pushing the tempo and communicating — all the little things that transforms teams that play .500 ball or below into winners.
"I was happy. I think the reason we shot it better is because we were more in sync. I think our team is learning that right now," Cottrell said. "They're trying hard to sync up and get some chemistry out there like we've been talking about. I'm starting to see that a little bit. I think that's why they're in rhythm. It's a key component to winning big games, is to play together."
My, oh my, how they played together against a team badly mismatched that only had eight players, little varsity experience and no size to speak of. The Yellow Jackets, 8-6, most certainly earned the right to wear new black road jerseys.
Hayesville's chemistry was on par with MIT. Unselfishness was the order of the night as Ethan Hooper repeatedly stole the ball and fed Caldwell on fast breaks, Asher Brown drove and dished and Taylor McClure whipped slick passes to Lunsford and Brown in the paint. Lunsford was also a giver, handing out 3 dimes in limited minutes.
That was just the starters. Eleven of the 12 Yellow Jackets had at least one assist.
"The energy level was much higher. They're communicating much better and the intangibles are getting done — the small things. Details," Cottrell said.
Hayesville roared to a 27-9 first quarter lead by burning the nets for 7 of 10 from the field and 4 of 9 from outside the long-ball stripe. The Yellow Jackets increased the lead to 56-18 at the half and 72-25 after three.
Caldwell was whirling dervish, scoring 21 points on 7 of 10 shooting. He also had three assists and three steals.
Hooper was also spot on, scoring 14 points on 4 of 7 shooting to go with six steals and four assists.
Brown added 7 points, three assists and two rebounds.
McClure didn't shoot, but grabbed four rebounds, made four steals and handed out four assists.
Lunsford cleared 4 boards, scored 4 points and handed out 3 dimes.
The bench brigade was simply superb. Super sixth-man Isaac Chandler scrapped for 9 points and 8 boards, while Seth Hedden banged home 8 points, as did Slade Crouch, who was 2 of 2 from long distance. Cade Denton posted 7 points without a miss in the fourth period. Jacob McClure also scored 7. Luke Lee grabbed five rebounds. Landon Hughes consistently broke Nantahala's full-court press.
Almost every player enjoyed at least 15 minutes on the floor.
All in all, it was a pretty strong showing.
"We're moving forward. We're certainly not there, but I did see an improvement in the things we needed see. I'm proud of them for making the effort, but we're in no way where we need to be yet. We'll get there," Cottrell remarked.
Hayesville travels to Highlands on Thursday and hosts Andrews on Friday.