By Gary Corsair
Sports Writer
Two years ago, they were freshmen and sophomores trying their best to compete with more experienced opponents.
This year, seniors Breanna Abrams, Brooke Graves and Mallory Peck and their talented and experienced teammates are the Class 1-A team basketball team to beat in western North Carolina and possibly the entire state.
Yes, the 2024-25 edition of the Hayesville Lady Yellow Jackets could be a Final Four team in postseason play.
It’s payback time for Coach Chad McClure’s Lady Jackets, who took their lumps two years ago before rolling to a 21-7 record last year.
Retributions begin Friday night at Towns County in Hiawassee. The Lady Jackets fully intend to avenge a 43-39 loss to Towns County last year.
The inexperienced Indians, just two seniors, started the season with four losses before clipping Highlands, 36-24, just before Thanksgiving.
Hayesville has no intention of being Towns County’s second victim. The Lady Jackets certainly have the palominos to settle the score.
Graves and Peck are the best inside duo in the Smoky Mountain Conference and Abrams is simply the scrappiest guard in this part of the state, a Stitch in short pants.
Add in do-it-all Ava Shook, who is already a leading candidate for SMC Most Valuable Player, dead-eye Emma Ashe, hardworking Bryleigh Krieger and spirited Briley Clampitt and you have a team that is deep, versatile and dangerous.
Wait, there’s more. Ava Moore and Kayla Brown give Hayesville more depth under the basket than a team should be allowed and Jasmine Brooks is a capable ball handler and shooter at guard.
“We’ve got some depth,” McClure said. “We are deeper and experienced and we have 10 players we feel like we can put in there. They all add something different.”
My, oh my, the Lady Jackets are loaded. This season will be a non-stop party if the team chemistry reaches the level of talent.
“We’ve got everybody back, so it’s probably the more experienced team I’ve had since 10 or 12 years ago. Were excited to get it going,” McClure said.
Of course, every opponent will be keyed up to upset the Lady Jackets apple cart.
Hayesville’s first true test could come at Hiwassee Dam on Monday. The Eagles are 2-1 after beating Andrews, 60-55, last week. And slinky senior Olivia McNabb, who shot 50 percent from the field and averaged 19.3 points, 10.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocked shots for a team that went 23-5 and undefeated in the SMC, is back for her senior season.
Hayesville’s Tuesday night game at Highlands could also be interesting. The Highlanders are 3-1.