Hayesville Dominates in Sweet 16 Advancing to the Elite 8

This season, the Hayesville Yellow Jackets are a team on a mission, especially in the playoffs. Anyone that gets in the way is simply getting run over tonight. Carolina International was the unfortunate opponent in the way. What happened? They got ran over; the Yellow Jackets made a statement winning their sweet sixteen matchup 83-47. Hayesville will now move on to the elite eight, hosting Thomasville next Tuesday.

1st Half:

Hayesville and Carolina International went back and forth in the game’s early minutes. Hayesville’s scoring was spread out, with each of the starting five scoring in the first quarter. Kolbe Ashe was the last one to get a bucket, but it was a big one as he hit a huge three as time expired in the first quarter. It doubled Hayesvilles lead to up six leading 20-14 going into the second quarter. Carolina Internation hung around for the first half of the quarter, but the Yellow Jackets finished the half on a huge run. Kyle Lunsford came into the game with about four minutes left in the half. He made his presence known, scoring a lightning-quick ten points to help Hayesville get their lead to double digits. Lunsford’s big buckets helped Hayesville take total control going into halftime leading 42-27.

2nd Half:

Hayesville’s defense was incredible on the night, and Carolina International’s usually potent offense never got it going. Their frustration was evident, and the points that they usually get easily weren’t so on this night. In the third quarter, Hayesville’s defense really clamped down to put the game away. They only gave up seven points in the third quarter, couple that with Kolbe Ashe’s four third quarters three’s, and it was ball game over. With a 60-34 lead going into the fourth quarter, it was just a matter of letting the last eight minutes run off the clock. Even with a big lead, the Yellow Jackets extended it even more in the fourth quarter, getting some good minutes from several reserves. Hayesville would finish the game-winning 83-47 and await an elite eight matchup with Thomasville.

Hayesville Leading Scorers:

Kolbe Ashe 20 points
Jake Mctaggart 19 points
Kyle Lunsford 14 points
Ethan Hooper 10 points
Logan Caldwell 8 points

Hayesville Head Coach Michael Cottrell Postgame Interview: