Yellow Jackets Dominate in 2nd Round

Hayesville defense puzzled Corvian all night long.

The Hayesville Yellow Jackets once again showed why they are the #1 seed in the NCHSAA boys basketball playoffs. An excellent Corvian team came to town Thursday riding a 12 game win streak but couldn’t come close to matching Hayesvilles’s effort. The Yellow Jackets were in total control of the game for all four quarters and wouldn’t be denied the opportunity to continue their playoff run. While things got a little chippy with multiple technicals on Corvian, Hayesville kept their cool, winning 84-59.

Kolbe Ashe disects the Corvian defense.

1st Half:

Hayesville Jake Mctaggart came out looking like a man possessed to start the game. He wanted to make sure that Corvian felt his presence, and boy did they. They had no answer for him as he dominated inside and splashed in a couple of long-range threes as well. His 12 first-quarter points helped Hayesville establish a 22-16 lead by the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, Hayesville’s defense, as it has all year, frustrated Corvian to no end. Only allowing seven points helped Hayesville stretch their lead to double digits. Going into the halftime break, the Yellow Jackets had all the momentum leading 38-23.

2nd Half:

While Mctaggart dominated the first half, Kolbe Ashe did the same in the second half, leaving zero chance for a Corvian comeback. Hayesville’s star point guard led the way with 22 second-half points as a part of his 31 points on the night. Ashe’s scoring total was aided by six technical free throws that he made each one of. While Corvians frustration got the best of them as the team had four technicals on the night. Two of those were on their assistant coaches, which resulted in their head coach being ejected. Hayesville did well, though, keeping their cool and not letting Corvian’s poor display of sportsmanship impact their play. Hayesville’s four-quarter effort helps them advance to the third round of the playoffs after their 84-59 win.

Kyle Lunsford finishes strong inside for two points.

Hayesville Leading Scorers:

Kolbe Ashe 31 points

Jake Mctaggart 26 points

Ethan Hooper 8 points

Logan Caldwell 7 points

Asher Brown 6 points

Kyle Lunsford 6 points

Hayesville will be at home again for their third-round game, hosting #9 seed Carolina International. Game time is set for 6 pm and is being broadcast live on fyntv.com.