Hayesville guard Jasmine Brooks, No. 3, lofts a floater from the free throw line against Cherokee.
By Gary Corsair
Sports Writer
Hayesville guards Ava Shook and Breanna Abrams made 9-of-12 field goal attempts and post players Mallory Peck and Bryleigh Krieger converted 7-of-11 as the visiting Yellow Jackets pasted Swain, 52-28.
“We got off to a really good start and finished strong,” Hayesville Coach Chad McClure said. “I thought we rebounded well and controlled the game after getting a lead. Defense was solid most of the night. I’m proud of the effort.”
Hayesville had an off night from three-point range and the free throw line, but sizzled from the field, nailing 19-of-34 two-point tries as the Black-and-Gold expanded its win streak to 10 games.
Shook led the charge with 20 points, 7-of-9 from the field, five assists, four steals, four rebounds and zero turnovers.
Abrams went for 10 points, 2-of-3 from the field, five rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Peck scored 9 points, 4-of-7 from the field, and pulled down nine rebounds.
Krieger tallied 6 points, 3-of-4 field goals.
McClure also received strong play off the bend.
Briley Clampitt provided a lift with four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Brooke Graves grabbed four rebounds without committing a turnover. Jasmine Brooks added 2 points.
Cherokee 69, Hayesville 16
Hayesville’s 10-game win streak came to a screeching halt at Cherokee on Friday with a hard-to-watch 69-16 loss, but there was no shame in the Lady Yellow Jackets’ game.
The Yellow Jackets, 16-5 overall and 5-2 in the Smoky Mountain Conference, displayed their usual intelligence and intensity, but the more experienced Braves, 17-1 and 7-0 in the SMC, played like state champions, which they very well may be a month from now.
“They are a really good team,” McClure said. “We have to put that one behind us and keep our eyes forward and finish the season strong.”
Hayesville hopes to conclude the regular season with wins over visiting Andrews on Friday and at Murphy on Tuesday before the Lady Jackets embark on their own quest to advance deep into the playoffs.
Hayesville never had a chance against Cherokee, a machine that averages 78 points a game and allows 29 on average. The Braves zoomed to a 26-2 first quarter lead, led 50-9 at the intermission and maintained the status quo while the clock was allowed to run during the second half.
“From start to finish they totally dominated us. We had no answer for their defensive pressure and didn’t take care of the ball,” McClure remarked.
Shook led Hayesville with 9 points by making 2-of-3 three-pointers and 3-of-4 free throws.
Only two other Lady Jackets scored. Abrams tallied 6 points and made 2-of-2 from the charity stripe and Kayla Brown made a free throw. She also cleared two rebounds.
Peck and Graves led Hayesville in rebounds with three.
Krieger had a team-high three steals. Jasmine Brooks had two thefts.