Gary Corsair • Progress Above, Malory Peck, No.35, keep Hayesville in the game with a slick spin move through Towns County defenders.
By Gary Corsair
Sports Writer
The Hayesville Lady Jackets trailed by 10 early in the fourth quarter before embarking on a stand-up-cheer comeback that came within a whisker of taming Towns County.
Mallory Peck, Ava Shook and Bryleigh Krieger were the main instigators in a total team effort during the uprising that chewed up Towns’ 37-27 lead and pulled Hayesville within a basket during the third-round game of the Battle of the States Basketball Tournament at Towns County High School.
Here’s the thrilling play-by-play of the thrilling battle to the wire:
• 7:06 - Briley Clampitt rebounds and gets the ball to Shook, who finds Peck for a drop step banker. Towns Co. 35-29.
• 6:20 - Krieger’s rebound of Towns’ missed trey leads to Shook boldly powering into the lane and tossing in a double. Towns Co. 35-31.
• 6:02 - Krieger and Shook hit the hardwood in pursuit of the ball. Krieger tussles with Towns Kaliegh Beaver, who picks up her second foul. Krieger has words with Beaver.
• 5:04 - After each team misses — Hayesville from the field, Towns from the line — Krieger commandeers another defensive rebound. When Towns knocks the ball loose, Shook grabs it and Peck powers home another bucket. Towns Co. 37-33.
• 4:33 - Peck grabs a miss and rams it home. Towns Co. 37-35.
• 3:40 - After Peck rebounds a Towns miss, Hayesville works for a good shot. With :02 on the shot clock, Shook throws up a running one-hander and draws a foul. She aces both freebies. 37-all.
• 2:50 - Towns knocks down a keyhole trey. Towns Co. 40-37.
• 2:30 - Clampitt deflects a pass and Shook pushes the ball up court, but Hayesville fails to score.
• 0:27 - After both teams miss, Hayesville gains possession on a jump ball.
• 0:17 - Peck rebounds a missed 3-pointer and is fouled. Mallory makes the first free throw. Towns rebounds the second. Towns Co. 40-38.
• 0:16 - Emma Ashe alertly fouls to stop the clock. Towns makes one of two free tosses. Towns 41-38.
• 0:09 - Hayesville turns the ball over, Towns makes a full-court pass and the Lady Jackets foul to prevent a layup. Both free throws find the mark. Towns Co. 43-38.
• :06 - Peck grabs a miss and powers the ball in. Towns Co. 43-40.
Peck and Krieger were required to play major minutes due to Brooke Graves being sidelined. Both girls were outstanding.
Peck came out with guns blazing hot. Mighty Mallory rammed home her first four shots and bamboozled the Indians all night long. Peck was unstoppable with 20 points on 9-of-15 shooting and 14 rebounds. Seven of those boards kept possessions alive.
Krieger was all over the floor, especially during the second half when she fought for 10 of her 14 rebounds. Special K also tallied 6 points.
Shook was a masterful play-maker, who handed out eight assists and popped for 11 points.
Ashe didn’t shoot but contributed mightily with five steals and two boards.
Clampitt scored 3 points, deflected three passes and grabbed three rebounds. Abrams had two caroms.
Hayesville, 4-5, hosted Hiwassee Dam on Tuesday. Chattanooga Christian visits The Hive on Friday.