.The Hayesville Yellow Jackets hosted the Franklin Panthers in their one and only preseason scrimmage of the year. Being that it was a scrimmage the format was a little different than what fans may be used to seeing. They played four full quarters and one extra four minute period in the scrimmage. While a box score was kept there were no foul limits for players. As well they used a modified free throw method for the bonus. All stats shared in this article are considered unofficial and do not count towards season long totals.

Logan Caldwell makes a three.

The Yellow Jackets, only lost one senior but did lose several players to transfers. This is to be expected when the NCHSAA postponed seasons for all sports. Some players looked elsewhere when the uncertainty surrounding North Carolina High school sports arose. One has to wonder what this season would be like for all North Carolina teams if they would have played without all these schedule changes. Especially when surrounding states have played full seasons with no major issues. The safety of players, coaches and fans always has to be the top priority. Yet with the surrounding states having had successful fall seasons one has to truly consider the NCHSAA’s reasoning. 

Onto the scrimmage, the Yellow Jackets were facing a very talented Franklin team returning most of their key pieces from last year’s team. Hayesville struggled to get shots to fall in the first quarter, while even with good defense Franklin was hitting just about everything. The Panthers got out to a double digit lead to end the first quarter. 

In the second quarter Hayesville was beginning to find their shooting touch and played Franklin very close. It was evident that Hayesville was trying to incorporate some new pieces. While the early returns may have been slim, the talent was evident. Players like young freshman Asher Brown was all over the court and his athleticism was easy to see. When head coach Michael Cottrell is able to get some of this young talent to mesh the sky will be the limit for this Yellow Jacket team.

In the third quarter junior point guard Kolbe Ashe decided to take control of the game for a stretch and just show how lethal he could be. His nine third quarter points paced the Jackets to their highest scoring quarter. Their first quarter in which they outscored Franklin. 

In the fourth quarter both coaches let their reserves see significant minutes. It saw Franklin outscore the Yellow Jackets in the quarter. It was good to see several of the Yellow Jackets seeing their first significant minutes in their varsity career not back down from their opportunity. Players like Rudy Seaker blocking several shots and chipping in five points could lead to important opportunities later in the season.

In the extra period the teams played, it was great to see the Yellow Jackets dominate. It was evident their conditioning is on point even while having to wear masks this early in the season. It was also great to see young sophomore Kyle Lunsford step up in a big way for the Jackets. Lunsford flashed at times last year as a freshman. With expanded minutes this season though it would be great for the team to continue seeing what they saw from him against Franklin. He led all Yellow Jackets scorers with what would have been a career high 22 points if this was an official game. 

The Yellow Jackets may have lost this scrimmage unofficially. Yet they were playing possibly one of the best teams they will face all year. It was a great measuring stick for Coach Cottrell. This will allow him to have his team ready for the season opener next week. They will host the Nantahala Hawks on Tuesday, January 5th.

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