The Hayesville Yellow Jackets will be hosting the Swain Co. Maroon Devils in the first round of the NCHSAA playoffs. The game will be played following the girls game with a tentative start time of 8:00 p.m. The Yellow Jackets have worked hard this season winning a conference regular-season championship and conference tournament championship. 

This has garnered them the fifth overall seed in the west region guaranteeing, if they win, at least two home playoff games. Its impressive when thinking out of 111 teams, Hayesville is in the top 16 of the state that has home court advantage through two rounds. First though, they have to take care of business against Swain Co. Ever heard the old saying it’s hard to beat a good team three times? Well what about beating a good team four times, because that’s what is required of Hayesville if they want to move on.

Playoff Bracket

Swain is 14-10 on the year but with several close losses to high level teams. Their biggest wins of the year were against Cherokee and Brevard showing they can beat good teams on the right night. They are a very high scoring group averaging 72.1 points per game and averaging 5.9 3-pointers made per game. If Swain Co. gets hot, they could trouble the Jackets, who will need to close out well on Maroon Devil jump shots.

Here is what Swain Co. head coach Scotty McMahan has to say about the playoff matchup.

1. It is pretty rare to play a team four times in a year. How does that affect this matchup?

You know I don’t know if it affects us much. I mean a third of our losses this year have been to Hayesville. I think early on in the year when we played at Hayesville we were still trying to figure out who we were. Had a chance to win the second one in the regular season and just didn’t quite do the right things in the tournament to keep it close. This is the first time in a long time we have played someone four times in a year. I don’t know if there’s a lot of pressure on us, were just going to try and play our best and see what happens. 

2. What players are your stars/key players?

I don’t know if we have one specific star but if we get everyone on the same page we can play really well. There was a game or two where not everyone was on the boat and that affected us. I don’t know if we have one star, but we have emphasized the family and team aspect so much and that’s what has gotten us to 14 wins rather than one or two players.

3. How does being the away team make this game more difficult?

At this point in the year we have probably played 13 or 14 road games. They are known for their student section, being a tough place to play, a tough place to shoot in. I am not saying our guys have seen everything but have seen a lot and are more prepared to play there then they were the first time. It is a very tough place to play. We have only won there a couple times in the last 8-10 years. I don’t think there is added pressure though we just need to not turn the ball over and make some shots.

4. How is your team’s health overall?

We had one kid who didn’t play against Hayesville in the tournament. He is not a starter but is a great energy guy off the bench. He was battling the flu but is ready to go now. So barring anything happening in practice today we have everybody available and everyone back on track.

5. For your team to win this game your team needs to do what?

We have to shut down Kolbe Ashe and not let him do his thing of picking us apart. They really hurt us with some pick and rolls. Also need to limit Jake McTaggart from getting second chance points. Our kids have to attack the basket instead of settling for stuff. Thats what happened we had a lead in the second game and in the second half instead of continuing to take it to them we let them dictate what we were doing. The thing that Hayesville does so well is they make you play four quarters. Coach Cottrell is a great coach. They are not going to make a lot of mistakes while trying to force you into mistakes. If we can limit our mistakes and play like we can I think we have a good chance.

Here is what Hayesville Yellow Jacket head coach Mike Cottrell has to say about the playoff matchup.

1. What are your expectations/goals in the playoffs?

Just to play our best basketball during this stretch.  The kids have worked hard to have this opportunity. It will be fun to watch what they do with it.  

2. How do you feel about playing Swain for the fourth time this year, and what do you expect from them?

Anytime you play your conference teams in playoffs there are some concerns.  Swain is a very good team. We will have to play very well to win. Being familiar can cause some issues but have to play well no matter who we are matched up with.  

3. If there is one key as a team to your playoff success what would it be?

Need to take care of the ball and get quality shots on offense.  Must defend well and rebound in the playoffs to give yourself a chance.

The keys to the game for both teams will be rebounding and turnovers. If one team is able to drastically out rebound and have a higher turnover margin they would have to be the heavy favorite. Hayesvilles key will be offensive execution, when the Yellow Jackets run through their offenses multiple times in a possession it almost always results in basket. Swain’s key to the game is can they knock down shots, through three games against Hayesville they have not gotten hardly any points inside. That probably won’t change so can they knock down jumpers, that will be the key to the game for them.

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