The Hayesville Yellow Jackets hosted the Swain Co. Maroon Devils in the first round of the NCHSAA state playoffs Tuesday night. Hayesville the 5 seed had the home court advantage over the 28 seed Swain Co. Yet with this being the fourth meeting of the year between the two teams it had the potential for an interesting matchup. Hayesville was able to control the game though and dictate the style of play. This led to them beating Swain for the fourth time this year winning 68-48.

Junior Brady Shook finishes through contact for a tough two points.

In the first quarter it was back and forth with Hayesville struggling to hit shots. Foul trouble was a big issue for the Yellow Jackets as well. Swain held a lead for part of the first quarter yet thanks to a few late buckets Hayesville ending the first quarter leading 17-11. The second quarter set up to be interesting, Hayesville star point guard sophomore Kolbe Ashe picked up a second foul towards the end of the quarter.

Ashe did not play at all in the second quarter because of it and things set up well for Swain to possibly take control. Yet Hayesville battled through the adversity and it wasn’t always pretty but they managed to keep their lead. In fact thanks to a buzzer beating post move from Sophomore Jake McTaggart Hayesville increased their lead to eight to close the half. With Hayesville escaping the second quarter with a 31-23 lead knowing they would get both Ashe and senior Mark Cothren back in the second half from foul trouble had to feel good going into the break. 

In the third quarter with their conductor back in Ashe, Hayesville started to take control. They were able to dictate the pace and were giving nothing easy to the Maroon Devils. Hayesville played with poise and consistency increasing their third quarter lead out to up 11. They got a great night out of Junior Hayden McClure who was cutting through defense all night. Every time you looked up he would be finishing another tough basket at the rim.

Coming into the fourth quarter Hayesville while not having a huge lead knew the win would be theirs. It never felt in danger and Swain could never cut into it enough to give themselves a chance. Hayesville put the final nail in the coffin with a mid fourth quarter run stretching their lead out 20. The game finished Hayesville winning 68-48 moving onto the second round of the playoffs.

Junior Hayden McClure with a strong finish for 2 of his 16 points.

Hayesville leaders for the night:
Jake McTaggart 18 points

Hayden McClure 16 points

Kolbe Ashe 12 points

Brady Shook 10 points

Hayesville will next play in the 2nd round of the NCHSAA state playoffs hosting Pine Lake Prep at home on Thursday time TBA.

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