Sports

Neal Wacob • Clay County Progress Ava Shook, No. 2, and Lucy Trout, No. 3, turn on their jets during a Lady Jackets fast break against Andrews.

Neal Wacob • Clay County Progress Ava Shook, No. 2, and Lucy Trout, No. 3, turn on their jets during a Lady Jackets fast break against Andrews.

Lady Jackets earn respect of SMC

News Staff
Thursday, January 22, 2026
By Gary Corsair Sports Writer   Hayesville’s girls faced two Smoky Mountain Conference challenges this week ­— at Murphy on Tuesday and from visiting Swain County on Friday — after the Lady Jackets upped their win streak to four with a 52-48 knockout of Andrews in a SMC tussle Friday.
Neal Wachob • Clay County Progress Yellow Jacket big Damien Soto, No. 4, pivots as he powers his way to the basket for two of his team-high16 points against Andrews.

Neal Wachob • Clay County Progress Yellow Jacket big Damien Soto, No. 4, pivots as he powers his way to the basket for two of his team-high16 points against Andrews.

Shooting woes plague Yellow Jackets

News Staff
Thursday, January 22, 2026
By Gary Corsair Sports Writer   Andrews made threes, Hayesville didn’t. That was the story when the Wildcats whacked the Yellow Jackets, 58-45, in Smoky Mountain Conference varsity boys basketball play Friday.

Rough week for jayvees

News Staff
Thursday, January 22, 2026
By Gary Corsair Sports Writer   The junior varsity Yellow Jackets look to get back on the winning track after a pair of disappointing conference losses last week.

Hayesville rocks Rosman between losses

News Staff
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
By Gary Corsair Sports Writer   Four Hayesville starters scored as the varsity Yellow Jackets rocketed off the launch pad with 14 unanswered points against Rosman on the way to a 72-31 waltz last Friday.

Jennings and Sellers lead Jayvees

News Staff
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
By Gary Corsair Sports Writer   Hayesville 37, Rosman 21 Hayesville’s Wes Jennings and Rhett Sellers combined for 18 points as the JV Yellow Jackets roared to a 23-2 first-quarter lead Friday. The supporting cast took over from there.
Neal Wachob • Clay County Progress Aaliyah Jackson, No. 32, is off to the races after Hayesville teammate Ava Shook, No. 2, hit the deck to wrestle the basketball away from Towns County and shove the rock to Jackson.

Neal Wachob • Clay County Progress Aaliyah Jackson, No. 32, is off to the races after Hayesville teammate Ava Shook, No. 2, hit the deck to wrestle the basketball away from Towns County and shove the rock to Jackson.

Lady Jackets double down on Towns County and Rosman

News Staff
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
By Gary Corsair Sports Writer   The Hayesville girls basketball team improved to 7-6 with two consecutive resounding victories last week. The Lady Yellow Jackets looked to extend their winning streak this week with a Tuesday game at Robbinsville followed by a visit from Andrews on Friday.

Morrow wins January tournament

News Staff
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
By Joe Davenport Guest Writer   Luke Morrow was the winner of Hiawassee River Bass Club tournament held on Lake Hiawassee. Here's how Morrow and the other top anglers fared: • First - Luke Morrow - five fish - 16.46 pounds. • Second - Jeremy Cross - five fish - 14.59 pounds.
Shook and Jones honored

Shook and Jones honored

Shook and Jones honored

News Staff
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Gary Corsair • Clay County Progress Friday night was doubly special for Hayesville High School. Prior to the girls’ game, Ava Shook was recognized for scoring her 1,000th point. Coach Tammy Dills presented the star with a commemorative basketball while former Coach Chad McClure looked on.

Lady Jackets roar on Jax’s 24

News Staff
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
By Gary Corsair Sports Writer   Aaliyah Jackson sizzled for 12 points with just one misfire in the first quarter and added a dozen markers in the third as Hayesville routed Blue Ridge Early College 70-31 last Friday. The outcome was determined shortly after tipoff.

Ladies play like champs in tourney

News Staff
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
By Gary Corsair Sports Writer   Hayesville’s girls won one and lost two in the annual Jim Melton Battle of the Sexes basketball tournament but competed like champs for most of the 12 quarters they played.