Sports

Gary Corsair • Clay County Progress Hayesville catcher Faith Odell waits for a throw from the outfield as Cherokee scores another run.

Gary Corsair • Clay County Progress Hayesville catcher Faith Odell waits for a throw from the outfield as Cherokee scores another run.

Hayesville’s Lady Jackets play like winners against Murphy

By Gary Corsair Sports Writer   The youngest softball team in the Smoky Mountain Conference looked like the most improved Tuesday at Hayesville.
Photo by Carissa Daniels Yellow Jacket Jacob Cody, No. 13, is safe.

Photo by Carissa Daniels Yellow Jacket Jacob Cody, No. 13, is safe.

HMS Jackets squeeze by Cherokee

By Brooke Reynolds Guest Writer   A nail biter full of seven innings took place in Cherokee Friday when the Jackets went head to head with the Braves. The game was to close for comfort considering the Jackets did not score another run past the first inning of the game.
Caroline Wade is behind the plate for the HMS Lady Jackets.

Caroline Wade is behind the plate for the HMS Lady Jackets.

Early lead seals fate for Lady Jackets

By Annie Brooks Guest Writer   Hayesville Middle School Girls fell behind early and couldn’t come back in a 10-0 loss to Cherokee Middle School Girls on Friday, April 21. A single by Maddie Long in the fifth inning was a positive for the HMS Lady Jackets.
Travis Dockery • 389 Country Track officials work on recovering Logan Wall's car after a wild ride.

Travis Dockery • 389 Country Track officials work on recovering Logan Wall's car after a wild ride.

Fans treated to spectacular night at Tri-County Racetrack

By Travis Dockery 389 Country   On Friday, April 21, fans at Tri- County were treated to an emotional roller coaster. From terror induced by a spectacular crash to love shown for a local family, the night had it all.
Gary Corsair • Clay County Progress Hayesville second baseman Raylyn Taylor, No. 11, catches a pop-up on the run near the fi rst base foul line.

Gary Corsair • Clay County Progress Hayesville second baseman Raylyn Taylor, No. 11, catches a pop-up on the run near the fi rst base foul line.

Softball gals impress with pitching and defense

By Gary Corsair Sports Writer   The turnaround appears to be underway. Hayesville’s resilient girls softball team was determined to end a four-game losing streak Tuesday. The Lady Yellow Jackets just might have succeeded with a few more hits.
Gary Corsair • Clay County Progress Hayesville shortstop Dakota Matheson applies the tag to a Cherokee base runner on an attempted steal of second base.

Gary Corsair • Clay County Progress Hayesville shortstop Dakota Matheson applies the tag to a Cherokee base runner on an attempted steal of second base.

Hayesville hitmen ping, ring and ding Cherokee

By Gary Corsair Sports Writer   Hayesville bats pinged like a metal detector in an auto salvage yard as the Smoky Mountain Conference leading Yellow Jackets extended their win streak to seven by melting host Cherokee, 23-0.
Gary Corsair • Clay County Progress Bryan College Head Basketball Coach Don Rekoske, left, and Hayesville Basketball Coach Mike Cottrell flank Yellow Jackets sharpshooter Ethan Hooper as Hooper commits to play at Bryan. Hooper's parents, Collette and Malcom are looking on.

Gary Corsair • Clay County Progress Bryan College Head Basketball Coach Don Rekoske, left, and Hayesville Basketball Coach Mike Cottrell flank Yellow Jackets sharpshooter Ethan Hooper as Hooper commits to play at Bryan. Hooper's parents, Collette and Malcom are looking on.

College thrilled to land Hooper

By Gary Corsair Sports Writer   Hayesville basketball coach Mike Cottrell isn’t likely to forget the first time he laid eyes on Ethan Hooper, a gift-wrapped present of slight build with curly, dark brown hair, a 1,000-watt smile and a jump shot smoother than a polished billiard ball.
Congratulations to the Hayesville High School Lady Jacket 400m relay and 800m relay for breaking the Hayesville High School track event record. The runners were Lila Roberts, Ava Shook, Marley Espinal and Emma Shook. The old record in the 400m Relay was 53.22 and was broken with a time of  52.15. The old record in the 800m Relay was 1.52 and was topped with a time of 1.50.46.  Both were 20-plus year old records.

Congratulations to the Hayesville High School Lady Jacket 400m relay and 800m relay for breaking the Hayesville High School track event record. The runners were Lila Roberts, Ava Shook, Marley Espinal and Emma Shook. The old record in the 400m Relay was 53.22 and was broken with a time of 52.15. The old record in the 800m Relay was 1.52 and was topped with a time of 1.50.46. Both were 20-plus year old records.

Record-breaking relay team