Photo-Neal Wachob Hayesville guard Kadence Morrow, No. 4, blows past a defender.
By Gary Corsair
Senior Sports Writer
Hayesville’s girls fought tooth-and-nail in a wild skirmish that saw 9 ties and 11 lead changes before Hiwassee Dam prevailed, 52-50, last Wednesday in the Darryl K. McClure Gymnasium.
The Lady Yellow Jackets trailed 50-44 with :39.5 remaining but rallied to knot the score at 50-all in thrilling fashion as Lucy Trout twice swished a 3-pointer in a :09 span.
Unfortunately, jubilation turned to unease when Hiwassee Dam responded with a bucket from the corner to go up 52-50 that left Hayesville just :06 to answer.
The Yellow Jackets used each second wisely. Ava Shook quickly dribbled across the timeline, ran her defender into a textbook screen by Trout and launched a running one-hander from behind the 3-point arch, but the miracle was not to be. The ball glanced off the rim while Hayesville Coach Tammy Dills protested that Trout was fouled.
The long ball was not a friend on this night.
The Lady Jackets made just 4-of-23 (17 percent) from beyond the 3-point stripe. Free throw shooting was also a problem (8-of-23, 35 percent).
Hayesville stayed in contention with respectable 41% field goal marksmanship, a mark bolstered by Micalynn McClure hitting 2-of-3, Kadence Morrow’s 3-of-4 off the bench and Danielle Anderson going 1-of-1 in relief.
Anderson also snared 6 rebounds, blocked a shot and scored 5 points. McClure and Morrow contributed scrappy floor play.
Caroline Wade was a whirlwind off the bench, flummoxing Hiwassee Dam with 6 steals, 4 defensive rebounds (and two on the offensive end) and 2 points.
Trout and Shook sparkled at both ends of the hardwood.
Shook scored 9 points and added 6 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 blocked shots, 2 steals and 2 deflections. Trout tallied a team-high 12 points, handed out 4 assists, and snared 3 rebounds.
Ava Moore collected 6 rebounds and 6 points. Briley Clampitt cleared 3 rebounds.
Hayesville showed grit and determination from the start. Hiwassee Dam led by 8 midway through the second act, but the Yellow Jackets fought back and trimmed the lead to 22-20 on fastbreak layups by Trout, Morrow and Wade.
Down 24-20 at the half, Hayesville seized control by beginning the second half with 9 unanswered markers when Moore powered in a basket and sank 2 free throws and Shook busted a 3-ball and followed with a bucket :20 later. Hayesville 29, Hiwassee Dam 24.
The Eagles bounced back and tied the score at 36-36 entering the final stanza. Hayesville never led again.
The Lady Jackets (2-3) played at Swain County on Monday. Next up: the 31st Annual Jim Melton Battle of the States at Towns County High School. Hayesville plays Towns County at 7 p.m. on Saturday. A win will advance the Black-and-Gold to Monday’s 7 p.m. contest against either Chesnee or Franklin. A second win will put Hayesville in the championship game Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Hayesville Scoring
Trout 12, Shook 9, McClure 7, Morrow 7.
Hayesville Leaders
Rebounds: Moore 6, Shook 6, Wade 6.
Assists: Trout 4, Shook 2.
Steals: Wade 6, Shook 4.
Score by Quarters
Hayesville 9 – 20 – 36 – 50
Hiwassee Dam 16 – 24 – 36 – 52