Hayesville Yellow Jackets win seventh in a row

Junior Tyler Jones elevates over his opponent for a tough finish.

On Friday night January the 17th, Hayesville (12-2, 7-0) hosted the Nantahala Hawks (6-10) in a non conference matchup. The Yellow Jackets faced the Hawks in their first game of the year. Once again like their first game Hayesville had too much firepower for the Hawks to handle. Hayesville secured their 13th victory of the year 82-56.

Junior Rudy Seaker makes a free throw.

In the first half the Hawks looked like they would give Hayesville all they could handle. They were hot from three and had multiple players connecting from well beyond the three point line. Nantahala actually held a 22-20 lead at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter Hayesville punched back with some big offense of their own. They got 5 points each from sophomore Kolbe Ashe and junior Paul White. Yet they made some defensive adjustments and held the Hawk to only 9 second quarter points. This allowed Hayesville to turn things around and take 37-29 point lead into the halftime break.

In the third quarter you could tell that Nantahala only having seven players was starting to wear down. They did not have much size and struggled to handle Hayesvilles star sophomore Jake McTaggart. He had 13 third quarter points and all but put the game away for the Yellow Jackets. They took a 57-44 point lead into 4th looking to finish the game strong.

In the fourth Hayesville went a little deeper into their bench some Nantahala did not have the option to do. Hayesville got strong contributions from Juniors Rudy Seeker and Tyler Jones helping put the game away. Hayesville extended their lead in the fourth and left the Hawks with no opportunity to come back. The final score was Hayesville 82 to Nantahala 56.

Hayesville leaders for the night:

Kolbe Ashe 23 points with 6 threes

Jake McTaggart 19 points

Paul White 9 points

Hayden McClure 9 points

Hayesville will next play at home, hosting the Murphy Bulldogs on Tuesday January 21st in their second matchup of the year.

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Caleb Tallman