Gary Corsair • Clay County Progress Hayesville's Peyton McGaha takes control of the ball during the crucial fourth quarter against Andrews in the Smoky Mountain Conference tourney Thursday.
By Gary Corsair
Sports Writer
The Hayesville JV advanced to the second round of the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament at Cherokee with a thrilling victory over Andrews on Thursday.
The Yellow Jackets were playing like Clark Kent — trying real hard but not quite getting the job done — when Peyton McGaha turned into a man of steel — and steal — and turned crisis into triumph faster than a speeding bullet.
Hayesville trailed 32-27 with 3:17 remaining when McG the Mighty took over, tossing in a basket as he tumbled to the hardwood, busting a three-pointer, stealing the rock and taking it to the hole in the span of 1:16.
McGaha’s outburst gave Hayesville a lead it never relinquished. That’s not to say the outcome wasn’t in doubt. It was.
Andrews promptly tied the score 34-all.
Fortunately, McGaha continued to perform as if he had a bold S on his chest. His teammates performed like superheroes.
McGaha’s pass from the top of the key to Brady Reynolds in the corner resulted in a three-point bomb that gave Hayesville the lead for good. Again, Andrews answered, this time with a pair of free throws that closed the gap to 37-36 with :56 on the clock.
The Jackets immediately responded with picture-perfect ball movement from McGaha to Brandon Lynch to Daemien Soto under the rim. Soto filled the hoop to make it 39-36.
McGaha closed out the scoring with another steal and a lay-up and a free throw :13 later.
He finished with 17 points, four steals and three rebounds.
Hayesville started the game with 9 unanswered points and led 12-6 after the first quarter.
The Wildcats tied the game at 16-16, but Lynch took a dribble hand off from McGaha and buried a trey at the buzzer for a 19-16 halftime advantage.
Andrews took the lead midway through the third. Hayesville helped by coming up empty on seven consecutive three-point shots. The Wildcats were on top 24-21 entering the final act.
The Jackets struggled from behind the arch but shot 50 percent from the field and 6-of-8 popping from the line.
Lynch scored 9 and collected nine rebounds. Reynolds added 6 points and three boards.
Landon Trout contributed 5 points, four rebounds and two assists. E.J. Abrams had 3 points and three steals. Soto went for 2 points and collared five caroms.