By Gary Corsair
Sports Writer
Senior Lila Roberts scorched the nets for 20 points and freshman Ava Shook added 15 on perfect field goal shooting as Hayesville’s varsity girls crushed Andrews, 47-28, in Smoky Mountain Conference play Saturday.
Roberts scored 8 points and committed 3 thefts in the opening eight minutes, propelling the Lady Yellow Jackets to 14-3 first-quarter lead in a contest Hayesville, 6-10 overall, 3-2 conference, led from start to finish.
Roberts was just getting started.
The pony-tailed palomino went 2 for 2 from distance in the second period as Hayesville rolled to a 25-16 halftime. After the Wildcats pulled within 4 points, 32-28, with 10 unanswered points, long-range Roberts slammed the door on Andrews’ comeback hopes with a 3 point play the old-fashioned way. The visitors would get no closer.
“It was a great win,” Hayesville Coach Chad McClure said. “I think they’ve improved greatly taking care of the ball and starting to get more confidence shooting and play more aggressive, which is good.”
Roberts finished with 5 of 8 shooting from 3 point range and 3 of 4 free throwing as the Yellow Jackets dropped the Wildcats to 1-5 in the conference and 3-15 overall. Hayesville’s sensational, solitary senior also had four steals and a pair of assists and didn’t commit a single turnover.
Roberts wasn’t the only dead eye dressed in gold and black. Shook drained all 6 of her 2-point shots and tossed in 3 of 4 from the charity stripe. Awesome Shook also cleared four rebounds and made three steals.
“We’re trying to put a few wrinkles in here and there to get those guys a few more shots,” McClure stated. “Those girls have to take shots for us. We’ve really encouraged them and given them some goals to take a certain amount of shots each game.”
Emma Ashe also popped proficiently from the floor, making 3 of 7 deuce attempts for 6 points. She also had two steals.
As a team, Hayesville made 11 of 26 from the field, 43 percent, 10 of 14 from the line, 71 percent, and 5 of 14, 36 percent, from behind the arch.
The Lady Yellow Jackets finished strong by outscoring Andrews 15-0 in the fourth quarter. Roberts’ basket and one started the string of unanswered points. Bryleigh Krieger then added 2 free throws, followed by a Shook trey off a pass from Roberts, followed by a put back by Shook, Breanna Abrams’ bold drive for 2 and finally a bucket from Ashe on a dime from Roberts.
Krieger and Brooke Graves led Hayesville in the rebounding department with 5 apiece.
Graves also scored 2 points. Abrams and Krieger also had 2 points apiece.
Hayesville’s offense also clicked in the previous game on Thursday night in Highlands. Unfortunately, the Lady Yellow Jackets fell short by a few ticks.
Highlands 29, Hayesville 21
“We really tried to control the tempo in that game because they have a lot more size and length,” McClure remarked. “We didn’t have a lot of turnovers, we really worked the ball around but didn’t get a lot of shots. We didn’t get a lot of shots, but we had a chance. We held them to 29, but we have to score more. It was a close game.”
Much closer than the previous meeting between the two schools in which Highlands cruised to a 50-25 win.
Thursday, Hayesville led 4-2 after one period, but trailed 10-8 at the half and 21-16 after three acts.
Highlands’ length was definitely a factor in the Highlanders’ comeback. The hosts blocked six Hayesville shots.
Roberts again led the Lady Yellow Jackets, tallying 6 points on a pair of downtown delights. Graves contributed 5 points, while Briley Clampitt chipped in 4. Abrams, Krieger and Shook had 2 apiece.
Hayesville returned to action at Murphy at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24. The Lady Jackets hosts Copper Basin at 6 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 26; Swain County at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27 and Blue Ridge Early College for a make-up game at 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28.