Sports

The Hayesville Mites are, from front left, Luke Brooks, Jon David Ray, Gabe Garcia, Martin Ledford, Linkin Blizzard, Maxx Colandrea and Elam Fuerch; center, Eli Payne, Finn Hensley, Max Moore, Gage Jones, Elijah Hughes and Candler Matheson; back, coaches Slade Crouch, Michael Colandrea and Mark Moore.

The Hayesville Mites are, from front left, Luke Brooks, Jon David Ray, Gabe Garcia, Martin Ledford, Linkin Blizzard, Maxx Colandrea and Elam Fuerch; center, Eli Payne, Finn Hensley, Max Moore, Gage Jones, Elijah Hughes and Candler Matheson; back, coaches Slade Crouch, Michael Colandrea and Mark Moore.

Youth league sweeps Christmas Tournament

News Staff
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Article Submitted   Last week, the Hayesville Youth League traveled to Murphy for a two-day Christmas Tournament and delivered an unforgettable performance, as all four Hayesville teams captured championship titles. The tournament kicked off Friday with a dominant showing across the board.
Neal Wachob • Clay County Progress Jackson Sellers, No. 33, draws a bead on the basket as Hayesville fights back against Towns County.

Neal Wachob • Clay County Progress Jackson Sellers, No. 33, draws a bead on the basket as Hayesville fights back against Towns County.

Turnovers, misses hamper Hayesville

News Staff
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
By Gary Corsair Sports Writer   Hayesville held first-quarter leads in all three Battle of the States tournament games but lost all three by large margins.   Polk County 81, Hayesville 49 This third-round game Tuesday was much closer than the final score indicated.

Jones bombs his way into the record books

News Staff
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
By Gary Corsair Sports Writer   Brady Jones sprang from the end of Hayesville’s bench into the record books with one of the greatest shooting exhibitions in the history of North Carolina prep basketball Friday.

Trout and about

News Staff
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Hayesville's Landon Trout, No. 15, runs into a wall of Towns County defenders on a drive to the basket in Saturday's opening round of the 31st Annual Jim Melton Battle of the States holiday basketball tournament. Hayesville fell to Towns County, 68-48.

Hayesville’s big two bigger than Swain’s

News Staff
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
By Gary Corsair Sports Writer   Hayesville and Swain County’s inside and outside threats basically nullified each other’s output in the first half last Monday, but the Yellow Jackets’ big two dominated after the intermission in a resounding 82-62 win.

Shorthanded Jackets bedeviled by Swain

News Staff
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
By Gary Corsair Sports Writer   What should have been an epic battle between big men turned out to be a big disappointment for Hayesville’s JV basketball team last Monday.
Gary Corsair • Clay County Progress Kayla Brown, No. 25, protects the rock after grabbing an offensive rebound at Swain County.

Gary Corsair • Clay County Progress Kayla Brown, No. 25, protects the rock after grabbing an offensive rebound at Swain County.

Girls threes knock Devils to their knees

News Staff
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
By Gary Corsair Sports Writer   The three-pointer hasn’t been very friendly to Hayesville’s varsity girls this season until last Monday.

Jackets see lead slip away in final moments

News Staff
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
By Gary Corsair Sports Writer   Hayesville occupied the driver’s seat for three quarters and clung to a 2-point lead with :49.8 remaining before the win slipped away to Hiwassee Dam, 53-51, last Wednesday in the Darryl K. McClure Gymnasium.

Lady Jackets fall in 52-50 nailbiter

News Staff
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
By Gary Corsair Senior Sports Writer   Hayesville’s girls fought tooth-and-nail in a wild skirmish that saw 9 ties and 11 lead changes before Hiwassee Dam prevailed, 52-50, last Wednesday in the Darryl K. McClure Gymnasium. The Lady Yellow Jackets trailed 50-44 with :39.

Jennings sparks 59-33 JV Jacket victory

News Staff
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
By Gary Corsair Senior Sports Writer   Wes Jennings was a handful-and-a-half for Hiwassee Dam in the second half last Wednesday as Hayesville’s JV boys remained undefeated with a resounding statement.