Hayesville boys earn win against rival Towns Co.

Sophomore Jake McTaggart slams one home.

The Hayesville boys basketball team managed to redeem a loss to Towns Co. a week ago by taking down the Indians 52-48 on Saturday, Jan. 4, in Hayesville.

Junior Hayden McClure makes a free throw

Junior Hayden McClure led the Yellow Jackets in the first quarter with five points. Despite that, Towns Co. led 13-12 at the end of the first quarter with seven points from sophomore Collin Crowder.

Hayesville still was able to get their regular offensive output in the second quarter but great team defense was key to the quarter. Towns Co. didnt get many good looks in the quarter and with Hayesville dominating the boards, they weren’t getting second chances. Hayesville held the Indians to only seven second-quarter points while scoring 12 themselves. This totalled to give Hayesville a 24-20 lead at the half.

Coming into the third quarter both crowds were getting into the game and the environment was a great one. Both teams had a great crowd and each side was trying to cheer their team to victory. There was barely a seat to be had in the entire gym and each side was living and dying with each play. Hayesville went to big man sophomore Jake McTaggart in the third quarter and he did not disappoint. He responded with nine third quarter points and gave the crowd one its loudest applause of the night with a monster baseline dunk.

Freshman Kyle Lunsford makes a post move for a score.

In the fourth quarter behind eight points from junior Kolby Moss, Towns Co. came all the way back and even had a two-point lead. It appeared Towns Co. was going to prove their first win wasn’t a fluke, yet Hayesville would not be denied, With a 3-pointer from junior Hayden McClure, a few huge offensive rebounds from freshman Kyle Lunsofrd, and seven fourth-quarter points from Kolbe Ashe, Hayesville stole victory from the clutches of defeat. Hayesville used good free-throw shooting to finish the game off 52-48

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Caleb Tallman