After nearly a week-long break since their win over Swain County, the JV Lady Yellow Jacket basketball team returned to the court Thursday, Dec. 19 to face the Lady Bulldogs in Murphy. Hayesville fell behind early but managed to claw their way back in what became an instant classic. Unfortunately for the Lady Jackets, Murphy had just enough in the tank to get the 39-35 win.
The high of the most recent victory was quickly ripped away from Hayesville once the game got underway. The Lady Bulldogs came out strong from the opening tip and built a lead thanks to a 9-2 run in the first quarter. Between the first and second quarters, the Lady Jackets found something and came out firing.
Hayesville made a run to close in on the lead by finding gaps in the Lady Bulldogs' defense. Murphy managed to hang on to the lead but the Lady Jackets stole a little of the momentum heading into the locker room thanks to a bucket with three seconds to go which cut the lead to 20-14.
Coming out of halftime, Hayesville continued to make adjustments which led to offensive success and the Lady Bulldogs seemed to be caught off guard on both ends of the court. A swarming Lady Jacket defense limited the host team to 6 points in the third quarter while lighting up the visitor's side of the scoreboard on offense. Hayesville matched their first half total in the quarter to pull ahead 28-26.
The fourth quarter was a classic back and forth battle with both teams eyeing the victory. With 1:49 left in the game, the score was deadlocked at 33-33. The turning point of the quarter and the game came when Murphy scored to take the lead 35-33 then quickly forced a turnover and turned that into another basket. Hayesville was able to get one more successful shot before the clock ran out, giving the Lady Bulldogs the 39-35 win.
Leaders at Murphy
Kaylee Leatherwood: 10 points
Lila Roberts: 8 points.
Breanna Cothren: 7 points
Faith O'dell: 5 points