Let’s start by taking a look at the Hayesville Lady Yellow Jackets’ previous week. Dec.22 through Dec. 28, the Lady Yellow Jackets participated in the annual Battle of the States Christmas Tournament hosted by Towns Co. High in Hiawassee. The Lady Yellow Jackets played in three very tough, highly-competitive games. They finished the tournament 1-2 but were only a few shots and a couple of bounces from winning each of their games. After a solid tournament, senior Jade Patterson was the Lady Yellow Jackets all-tournament selection. 

Junior Brianna Foster finishes strong.

The Lady Yellow Jackets started off the tournament with a first round matchup with Hokes Bluff, from Alabama. Hayesville got off to a rough start getting down 11-0 early in the game. After a timeout and a defensive change up, the Yellow Jackets fought back. After the bad start, they played even or possibly even a little better than their opponent. Unfortunately the bad start was too much to overcome and Hayesville fell 53-46. The Lady Yellow Jackets were led by Patterson who scored 16 points. 

In the second game of the tournament, the Lady Yellow Jackets took on their state line rivals and tournament host Towns Co. Hayesville was the one who got off to a hot start this game taking an early 17-5 lead against Towns Co. The Lady Indians chipped away at the Hayesville lead, outscoring the Lady Yellow Jackets in the next two quarters. The Lady Yellow Jackets would not be denied and hit some big shots down the stretch to seal the win 49-42. Hayesville got another big performance out of Patterson, who scored 19 points and pulled down eight rebounds. Sophomore Lila Payne chipped in 11 points to be the other Lady Yellow Jackets double digit scorer.

Breanna Burnette makes a free throw.

In the third game of the tournament, the Lady Yellow Jackets took on Lumpkin Co. As they did in the first game of the tournament, Hayesville got off to a slow start. The Lady Yellow Jackets had some good shots that didn’t fall and Lumpkin Co. got off to a hot shooting start. Hayesville battled hard over the last three quarters but the slow start was too much to overcome. The Lady Yellow Jackets fell 50-34 but got another strong performance from Payn,e who had double digit points for the second game in a row with 14. 

Coaches Corner weekly exclusive interview with head coach Chad McClure:

1. How did you feel overall about your team’s performance in the Battle of the States tournament?

Overall, we learned a lot about ourselves and things we need to work on.  In the two games we lost we didn’t start well and couldn’t recover. Defensively, we continue to improve. We competed and had chances to win.  We need to use the experience to help us down the road.

2. How do you feel about your team’s offensive execution and point production?

We didn’t shoot well at times and turned the ball over too much, which led to early deficits.  At times we execute and score well, we just need to work on it more consistently. We have to cut down on turnovers and continue to improve offensively.  You have to give credit to the other teams defenses as well.

3. With one game on the schedule this week what will practice this week be focused on?

We will work a lot of fundamentals, address areas of concern, and continue to work on improving.  

4. That one game being Towns Co. who you beat in the tournament. What do you do to get another successful outcome?

We will have to handle their full court pressure and really make them work on the defensive end. They have some good players who are tough to stop.  It will be a competitive game as it always is.

Weekly Preview:

Senior Jade Patterson dribbles through traffic.

The Lady Yellow Jackets will got a well deserved break and only play one game this week. They play their last scheduled Saturday game of the year at home against rival Towns Co. Lady Indians on Saturday, Jan. 4. It should be a racaus environment, the Lady Yellow Jackets defeated the Lady Indians in their tournament last week. The Lady Indians will be looking for revenge and the Lady Yellow Jackets will need to get off to a good start. Hayesville will have the advantage of rest with not having played since the tournament and Towns Co. playing Friday night, Jan. 3.

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