Gary Corsair • Clay County Progress A trio of Cherokee Braves are powerless to stop Micah Moss, No. 2, as the Hayesville guard powers his way to the hoop.
By Gary Corsair
Sports Writer
Hayesville’s JV boys seemed certain to remain undefeated after dominating Cherokee in the first quarter Tuesday, but the Braves turned the tide with a stifling full-court press and prevailed 42-35.
The Junior Varsity Jackets owned the opening 7 minutes with a balanced attack led by Wes Jennings going 2-for-2 and grabbing three rebounds, Kabe Shaheen sinking 2-of-3 shots and E.J. Mapusua pulling down five boards.
Hayesville’s lead swelled to 14-4 as Cherokee went dry over the final 4 minutes of the first period.
The Jackets promptly upped the ante to 16-4 on another bucket by Jennings to start the second quarter and then the wheels came off.
Cherokee reeled off 16 unanswered points, most coming off six Hayesville turnovers.
Cherokee was in command 24-17 when halftime mercifully arrived.
Hayesville took better care of the ball after the intermission, but couldn’t gain ground until the Black-and-Gold pulled to within 6 (34-28) when Carter Whitfield stroked a 3-pointer with 5:40 left in the game.
The Jackets saw light at the end of the tunnel, but Cherokee sealed the opening with a 4-point play when Hayesville fouled on a 3-pointer. The free throw gave Cherokee a commanding 42-30.
Then the Braves went cold. They didn’t score during the final 4:16, but Hayesville could only counter with a bucket by Micah Moss and 3 points from Shaheen. Too little, too late.
Spotting shooting and 28 turnovers doomed the Jackets, who were 3-0 prior to the game.
“I was very encouraged by how we played early in that game. We showered glimpses of being a good basketball team,” Hayesville Coach Josh Cottrell stated. “We just have to keep working every day. This conference is difficult.”
Shaheen led Hayesville with 13 points, four rebounds and three steals. Jennings added 8 points and five rebounds. Mapusua cleared nine boards and added a bucket. Moss had 5 points, three rebounds and a pair of assists. Damien Soto tallied five rebounds and four points. Whitfield had 3 points, a steal and a board.