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(Kelli Graves • Clay County Progress) Asher Brown goes up for 2 of his team-leading 26 points against Robbinsville.
The Hayesville Middle School Yellow Jacket basketball team traveled to Robbinsville Monday, Nov. 25 for a Smoky Mountain Conference game that could potentially impact the championship at season’s end. Coming off of their dominant win over Martins Creek, the Jackets expected a bigger challenge from the Black Knights. Robbinsville did manage to score against Hayesville’s defense but the Jackets were able keep a comfortable lead and returned to Clay County with a 54-32 victory.
Asher Brown ignited the Jackets’ offense in the first quarter with 9 points which more than doubled Robbinsville’s 4 for the quarter. Jacob McClure and Seth Leek got in on the early scoring action to give Hayesville a 14-4 lead headed into the second quarter.
The Black Knights seemed to get in sync during the break between quarters and came out firing. Robbinsville was able to gain penetration for good looks at the basket, totaling 12 points before the half. The Jackets were able to hang on to their 10-point lead with 12 of their own thanks to Brown, Jacob and Taylor McClure and headed into halftime up 26-16.
Robbinsville’s roller coaster continued in the third quarter as the Black Knights once again struggled to find offensive success. Brown, the McClure duo and Kevin Kleckner lit up the net for 12 additional points as Hayesville held the Knights to 6 points, extending their lead to 38-22 with one quarter to play.
In that final stanza, Robbinsville refused to give up. A double-digit rally of 10 points was enough to get the home crowd excited but not enough to take down the Jackets. Braydon Jeffries and Landon Hughes got in on the scoring action as Hayesville put together their best quarter of the game with 16 points and secured the 54-32 win.
Following the Thanksgiving break, Hayesville will return to action Monday, Dec. 2 when they host Cherokee at 5 p.m.
Scoring vs Robbinsville
Asher Brown: 26
Jacob McClure: 12
Taylor McClure: 6
Braydon Jefferies: 3
Landon Hughes: 3
Kevin Kleckner: 2
Seth Leek: 2