Gary Corsair • Clay County Progress Wes Jennings, No. 33, pulls down a board during Hayesville's big third quarter at Murphy.
By Gary Corsair
Sports Writer
Hayesville’s JV boys enjoyed leads in both games last week but the Jackets weren’t able to hold on for wins.
Here’s a summary:
Swain County 51, Hayesville 41
Hayesville roared to a 17-7 first-quarter lead, but couldn’t hold it.
Wes Jennings was high point man with 12. He also cleared six boards and deposited 6-of-8 from the charity line.
Eli Cheeks was the top rebounder with seven. He also tallied seven points.
Rhett Sellers tossed in nine markers. Byron Engelmann scored eight and Micah Moss added six.
Carson Finn took three charges.
Murphy 55,
Hayesville 44
The jayvee Jackets went off with 19-point, one-turnover third quarter that extended Hayesville’s bankroll from 18-15 at the half to 37-32 entering the final act.
Then Sellers and Jennings sat down so they could be used in the varsity game.
Sellers nailed 3-of-6 shots and 2-of-2 charity tosses for eight points and Jennings bucketed 4-of-6 shots for nine points during a big third quarter that included four rebounds and 2-of-2 free throwing by Finn and two boards by Englemann.
Murphy stormed back into the lead by outpointing their guests 23-7 during the fourth quarter.
Englemann extended Hayesville’s lead to 40-34 with a drive to the hole that produced a bucket and a free throw, but the Jackets went scoreless during the next 4:19.
Hayesville was undone by 10 fourth-period errors and foul troubles. The Jackets finished the game with four on the floor when Eli Cheeks fouled out with 1:23 remaining and Murphy up 50-42.
Jennings led the way with 15 points, while Sellers tallied 11. Finn finished with seven points; Englemann, five and Cheeks, three. Peyton Cordell and Francisco Rios added two apiece.