The Hayesville Yellow Jackets (6-1, 4-0) played the Towns Co. Indians (6-3) in the semifinal round of the Battle of States Tournament on Thursday evening, Dec. 26th. The Indians of Towns Co. were fired up early and one could tell how important the game was to them. 

They outworked and played a little bit harder than Hayesville in the first quarter, which resulted in Hayesville being down 18-14 at the end of the first. Towns Co. was led by Junior Kolby Moss all game and he got them off to a good start in the first quarter with five points and several assists.

In the second quarter the Yellow Jackets started playing much harder and were getting better looks. Yet the momentum was in Towns Co.’s favor, and they continued to hit shots each time the Jackets started to close in. Even though the Jackets were getting great looks, they had several shots go in-and-out. Sophomore Kolbe Ashe was robbed at least twice from beyond the arc with unfavorable rims.

Everything was going the Indians’ way as their shots continued to fall. Oppositely, the Yellow Jackets had their worst offensive half of the year. The Indians, looking to pull off the upset, carried momentum and a 31-23 point lead into the half.

The adjustments made at halftime were on point for the Jackets. They came out fired up, played a great third quarter and appeared to be taking control of the game. That was topped off by sophomore Jake McTaggart hitting a half court shot at the end of the third to give the Jackets a one-point lead going into the fourth quarter. 

With the Jackets leading 46-45 going to the fourth, they looked to increase their lead and clinch a spot in the finals. But Towns Co. had a few big shots left in them and the Jackets had no answer. One of the deciders was that Kolby Moss shot 10 fourth-quarter free throws after the Indians got into the bonus early.

McTaggart had a chance to give the Jackets a lead with about 15 seconds left but couldn’t convert. Kolbe Ashe had a chance to tie the game in the finals seconds, but his last second deep shot was deflected and the game was over. The Towns Co. Indians upset was complete, 67-64.