Hayesville’s Kolbe Ashe Breaks State Record

Hayesville's Kolbe Ashe knocks down a free throw.

Hayesville’s Kolbe Ashe has had one of the best careers in Smoky Mountain Conference history. His ability to perform in the clutch and lead his team to countless victories will never be forgotten. This past Friday night in a 77-50 win over rival Murphy Ashe permanently etched his name into the records books.

Ashe was fouled driving towards the hoop with 1.9 seconds left in the second quarter of Friday night’s game. Going to the free-throw line, Ashe made the first free throw which was his 54th consecutive made free throw tying a state record. The record was set at 54 straight all the way back in 1956 by Richard Hauser of Westfield and was tied in 1988 by Tony King of Clyde A. Erwin.

Kolbe Ashe then made the second of his two attempts to break the state record. Ashe would get fouled again early in the third quarter to put him back at the free-throw line. He would make the first but miss the second free-throw to end his streak setting the state record at 56 straight made free throws.

Ashe had some pretty incredible games throughout the streak, and to make the streak even better, each game of it resulted in a win. Here is a list of Ashes’ free-throw performances throughout the streak.

The Streak:

12/3/21: 5-6 FT in a 53-49 win over Tallulah Falls
12/10/21: 1-1 FT in a 59-26 win over Highlands
12/13/21: 2-2 FT in a 81-41 win over Hiwassee Dam
12/17/21: 4-4 FT in a 58-55 win over Murphy
12/28/21: 2-2 FT in a 75-37 win over Mtn Heritage
12/29/21: 15-15 FT in a 86-58 win over Swain
12/30/21: 6-6 FT in a 64-40 win over Hiwassee Dam
1/7/22: 12-12 FT in a 51-45 win over Robbinsville
1/11/22: 2-2 FT in a 95-54 win over Hiwassee Dam
1/28/22:3-4 FT in a 77-50 win over Murphy