Sports

Gary Corsair • Clay County Progress Hayesville's hopes of tying the score against Andrews disappeared on this play when two Wildcats converged on Slade Crouch, No. 3, wrestled the ball away from him and scored a final basket.

Gary Corsair • Clay County Progress Hayesville's hopes of tying the score against Andrews disappeared on this play when two Wildcats converged on Slade Crouch, No. 3, wrestled the ball away from him and scored a final basket.

Jackets ready to finish strong in SMC

News Staff
Thursday, February 13, 2025
By Gary Corsair Sports Writer   Frustrating losses to Robbinsville and Andrews scuttled Hayesville’s hopes of scooting to the top of the Smoky Mountain Conference standings, but the Jackets remain determined to prove they are as good as anybody.

Lady Jackets on a roll

News Staff
Thursday, February 13, 2025
By Gary Corsair Sports Writer   The best week of the Hayesville varsity girls basketball season began with a train wreck, but the Lady Yellow Jackets bounced back from a rout in Robbinsville with three convincing wins. “We didn’t start off real well,” Hayesville Coach Chad McClure said.

JV Jackets want SMC redemption

News Staff
Thursday, February 13, 2025
By Gary Corsair Sports Writer   Hayesville’s junior varsity boys basketball team is looking forward to rematches with Smoky Mountain Conference rivals Robbinsville and Andrews after the Yellow Jackets lost to both schools last week.

JV Lady Jackets may be peaking at the right time

News Staff
Thursday, February 13, 2025
By Gary Corsair Sports Writer   Hayesville’s JV girls appear ready for next week’s postseason Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament. “We’ve made great progress. It’s like every week has gone a little bit better. We’re excited for next week, we need to finish strong,” Coach Meghan McQuade said.

Improved Jackets earn SMC respect

News Staff
Thursday, February 6, 2025
By Gary Corsair Sports Writer   Hayesville (9-9 overall, 4-2 conference) ran its winning streak to five in a row with three triumphs in as many games last week, including an exciting take-down Friday of Cherokee that avenged an early-season loss to the Braves. “I thought the guys played hard.
Gary Corsair • Progress Hayesville spark-plug Micallyn McClure, No. 10, zips a pass to the corner for the final shot of the game during a 32-29 overtime loss to Cherokee. Unfortunately, the Lady Jackets didn't get the tying basket.

Gary Corsair • Progress Hayesville spark-plug Micallyn McClure, No. 10, zips a pass to the corner for the final shot of the game during a 32-29 overtime loss to Cherokee. Unfortunately, the Lady Jackets didn't get the tying basket.

JV Jackets battle Braves to the wire

News Staff
Thursday, February 6, 2025
By Gary Corsair Sports Writer   The JV Lady Jackets came oh so close to winning a thrilla in the ‘Ville-a when Cherokee came to town Friday and escaped with a 32-29 overtime victory.
Gary Corsair • Clay County Progress Brooke Graves, No. 40, scrambles for the ball as Mallory Peck, No. 35, and Breanna Abrams, No. 4, watch.

Gary Corsair • Clay County Progress Brooke Graves, No. 40, scrambles for the ball as Mallory Peck, No. 35, and Breanna Abrams, No. 4, watch.

Gotta love Lady Jackets effort

News Staff
Thursday, February 6, 2025
By Gary Corsair Sports Writer   Shooting woes continued to plague the shorthanded Lady Jackets as they dropped two conference tilts and one a throwaway non-con game last week. “We’re still struggling offensively and have to find some ways to produce points,” Hayesville Coach Chad McClure stated.
Gary Corsair • Clay County Progress Hayesville's Micah Moss, No. 2, kicks the ball out to a teammate for a 3-point attempt as Daemien Soto, No, 10, fights for position.

Gary Corsair • Clay County Progress Hayesville's Micah Moss, No. 2, kicks the ball out to a teammate for a 3-point attempt as Daemien Soto, No, 10, fights for position.

JV boys struggle but split SMC games

News Staff
Thursday, February 6, 2025
By Gary Corsair Sports Writer   Hayesville’s JV boys weren’t as sharp as they usually are on offense but the Yellow Jackets found a way take down Swain, 40-35, in Bryson City last Tuesday.
The Hayesville Yellow Jacket Air Rifle Team members are, from front left, Jaxin Eubanks, Rockie Brown, Masyn Parrinello, Nathan Fisher and Wednesday Johnson; back, Maggie McClure, Will Jennings, Devin Ramey, Leyah Parrinello and Zoe Angelopulos. Team members not shown are Hunter Chastain, Lucas Brown, Ryder Schaffer and Ragen Schaffer.

The Hayesville Yellow Jacket Air Rifle Team members are, from front left, Jaxin Eubanks, Rockie Brown, Masyn Parrinello, Nathan Fisher and Wednesday Johnson; back, Maggie McClure, Will Jennings, Devin Ramey, Leyah Parrinello and Zoe Angelopulos. Team members not shown are Hunter Chastain, Lucas Brown, Ryder Schaffer and Ragen Schaffer.

Yellow Jacket Air Rifle team aims high in national competition

News Staff
Thursday, February 6, 2025
By John Mazza Guest Writer   The Hayesville Yellow Jacket Air Rifle Team, composed of dedicated middle and high school students, continues to make its mark on the national stage.
Norashae Patterson • Clay County Progress Henry Wadsworth jumps for the ball. 

Norashae Patterson • Clay County Progress Henry Wadsworth jumps for the ball. 

HMS boys lose spot in tourney

News Staff
Thursday, February 6, 2025
By Norashae Patterson Sports Writer   On Wednesday, Jan. 29, the Hayesville Middle School boys played Cherokee at Swain in the second-round of the tournament. They lost 68-57.  In the first half, Hayesville pulled ahead, scoring 18 points during the first quarter, while Cherokee scored only 14.