By Deby Jo Ferguson
Sports Writer
On Tuesday, Dec. 7, the Lady Jackets busted an 80-28 victory over Nantahala. "We were able to get some steals early with our defensive pressure and did a good job scoring off turnovers," said coach Chad McClure. "We did much better offensively, getting the ball inside we also rebounded well. Any win on the road is a good one.”
Lila Payne was the high scorer for the Jackets with 20 points including one 3-point basket, eight 2-pointers and one from the foul line. Cecilia Jones and Mallory Peck also played a great game bringing 14 points each to the Jacket side of the board. Jones sunk seven through the hoop for her 14 points, while Peck hit five 2-pointers and four from the foul line.
Breanna Cothren added eight points for the Jackets with four two-point baskets while Breanna Abrams, Keena Leatherwood and Brooke Graves scored six points each. Kaylee Leatherwood hit two through the net and Lila Roberts sunk one basket for a Lady Jacket victory over Nantahala.
Unfortunately, the Lady Jackets couldn't keep the winning ways going as they fell to Highlands 45-27 on Friday, Dec. 10. According to McClure, “Defensively, we played well enough early to keep us in the game. We just had too many turnovers and didn’t shoot well." McClure continued with, “We are showing signs of playing good basketball, we just have to be more consistent.:
The first quarter of the games was quite close, with the Lady Jackets scoring 8 points and holding Highlands to 11. Peck swished the net twice scoring 4 points with Jones and Graves hitting one basket each.
Right before the half, during the second quarter, the Lady Jackets used their defensive power to hold Highlands to 8 additional points, while scoring only 4 points for Hayesville. Peck added those four points from the foul line to make the score was 19-12 with Highlands leading at halftime.
During the third quarter the Lady Jackets let their guard down and allowed Highlands to add 22 points to the already lop-sided score. Hayesville added 6 points with a 3-point basket by Payne, Jones hit one basket and Abrams added one from the foul line.
Hayesville came back powerful in the final quarter of the game and held Highlands back defensively, limiting them only 4 points. It was just too late for the Lady Jackets to take control of the game again.
Adding nine points to the Hayesville side of the board in the fourth quarter was Jones with a 3-point basket, Kaylee Leatherwood sank two through the net and Keena Leatherwood hit two from the foul line.
The Lady Jackets will travel to Murphy to face off rival Lady Bulldogs at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 17 and are encouraging fans to make the short road trip and support the Lady Jacket team.