NC High School & Middle School Sports Postponed Indefinitely
Community, Press Release, Sports March 12, 2020
CHAPEL HILL, NC – Due to the threat from COVID-19, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) has made the decision to postpone the 2020 Men’s and Women’s Basketball State Championships and all interscholastic athletics indefinitely.
“As much as we would like this opportunity for our student-athletes, coaches, and their communities, we know that ultimately any decision we make must err on the side of caution,” said Commissioner Que Tucker.
The Board of Directors also moved to suspend interscholastic athletics beginning at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 13, 2020, through Monday, April 6th, 2020. The NCHSAA Board of Directors will assess this situation regularly over the next few weeks. This includes all workouts, skill development, practices, and contests.
Sports talk Thursday with Lauren Hunter-Politics in sports?
Sports July 12, 2019
The U.S. Women’s National Team has been making headlines recently for victories as a team, and as individuals for political statements.
Last week, the team won their second back-to-back World Cup. Shortly after the game, player Allie Long was seen dropping an American flag during the post-game celebration. Her teammate Kelley O’Hara recognized the significance of a flag being dropped on the ground, and immediately scooped it up.
One report from The Daily Wire explained that Long dropped the flag to participate in a celebratory dance with teammate Megan Rapinoe. But the video quickly went viral and comments poured in criticizing Long for her carelessness and thanking O’Hara for stepping in.
It’s very possible that Long meant no disrespect, but just got caught up in the moment and didn’t know that an American flag is NEVER supposed to touch the ground. Nonetheless, millions of viewers were not happy.
If you watch the video, it doesn’t appear that Long is trying to make any sort of political statement by dropping the flag. However teammate Megan Rapinoe has CERTAINLY been making headlines recently for her statements.
Megan Rapinoe (far right) is a great soccer player, but her political statements anger some. Credit: The New York Times
Although Rapinoe is mainly known for being a phenomenal soccer player (she won both the Golden Ball and Golden Boot awards this year), her progressive ideals have, let’s just say…raised eyebrows. Rapinoe is very outspoken about her homosexuality and dislike of President Donald Trump. She has followed the example of former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick by refusing to sing or put her hand over her heart during the National Anthem. The pose she makes after scoring a goal of standing with her arms outstretched is supposed to be a symbol of fighting for equal pay, race relations and issues at the United States/Mexican border.
For years athletes have used the attention given them for their athletic success as a means to shed light on their social platforms. There’s nothing wrong with that if they’re promoting awareness for a disease or a foundation that supports children with special needs. But should we as a society draw a line when it comes to political issues?
Some would say there’s no problem- depending on what they do to make the statement. Certainly being a famous athlete gives one more media attention than the average person. Like I mentioned in my last column post, there’s no difference in an athlete and an actor or actress, and they supply their endorsement all the time!
When Colin Kaepernick first kneeled during the National Anthem in 2016, many Americans were outraged. Not necessarily because of his protest of police brutality, but because he chose to do so in a way that many Americans found disrespectful to those who have served in the military. I was, and still am, one of those people. In my opinion Kaepernick and now Rapinoe are missing the mark. Kneeling or not showing respect during the National Anthem is to turn a blind eye to those who have sacrificed everything to give you the freedom to play your sport. It doesn’t have anything to do with first responders.
Nowadays there’s a gray area between sports segments and political talk shows. The two intersect on a daily basis. Just the other day on our live sports show, Instant Replay, my co-host Dave Garner and I had an entire segment dedicated to Nike’s decision to pull the sneakers with a design of the American flag sewn by Betsy Ross on the back. This decision was made after Kaepernick insisted that the flag had a racial history.
I thought Colin Kaepernick was out of the spotlight, but he found a way back in.
I suppose the whole reason this gray area exists is because of the technological advancements of the media. Celebrities who want use their status as a means to promote a certain viewpoint can do so more quickly because of how easy it is to post to Twitter. And in a society that demands news at every moment, something has to take up time in a sports show!
So back to the original question- should there be a line, and if so, where?
Here’s my opinion- sports is sports and politics is politics. Part of the reason I watch a football game or a baseball game is because I want to watch a football game or a baseball game. We are living in a time where politics are more divisive than ever before. One reasons sports are as big as they are today is because of the communities they create. Why should we mix something that causes so many problems to interfere with something that is supposed to help solve them?
When I turn on ESPN, I don’t want to listen to people debate over what is considered disrespectful to the National Anthem. And the next time I watch Fox News, I DARN sure don’t want to hear the name Colin Kaepernick.
Sports talk Thursday with Lauren Hunter-This one’s for the girls
Featured Stories, Sports June 17, 2019
As many of you reading this probably already know, it’s not uncommon to see a female reporter on your TV screen for sports outlets like ESPN or Fox Sports. Women are branching out into the sports world unlike ever before, with just as much if not more knowledge than their male co-workers.
Unfortunately, despite the strides already made, I believe sexism still exists in the sports world. I think some men find it hard to believe that women are getting into sports because it isn’t “feminine” or a hobby that they should naturally enjoy. These men don’t realize that a woman’s enjoyment of sports often begins with spending time with a loved one. I always like to mention my Papa Skip, and the football knowledge I gained from being around him and spending Saturdays in Athens.
But whatever reason people have for why a woman shouldn’t work in sports, this post is dedicated to those women who haven’t been listening.
Erin Andrews is one of my all-time favorite sports reporters because she knows her stuff!
I’ve always been a fan of Erin Andrews, mainly because the girl knows her stuff. Although she’s primarily spotted on the sidelines of NFL games, Andrews has covered everything from College GameDay on ESPN to the World Series. Outside of sports she’s had the opportunity to contribute news to Good Morning America and currently co-hosts on Dancing with the Stars. Side note: she also spent some time in nearby Atlanta covering the Braves, Thrashers and Hawks for Turner South. Whenever people think of successful women in the sports arena, Andrews is usually one of the first ones that comes to mind.
Unfortunately her fame from her work as a sportscaster has not made her immune to those who want to tear her down. In 2008 a man filmed her completely nude through a hotel door peep hole and posted the video online. The video went viral, and Andrews sued the man along with the hotel company and several others. Although Andrews eventually won her case, the time period from when the video was filmed until the suit ended lasted eight years. I can only imagine the embarrassment and anxiety that she endured during that time. I admire her strength and perseverance.
As a die-hard Braves fan, another reporter I’ve watched a lot of and enjoy seeing is Kelsey Wingert. I love Wingert’s delivery on camera because it comes across as so natural. While she does typically have a notebook on hand, she does not use a teleprompter to read a script. In other words, she also knows her stuff.
Kelsey Wingert is another admirable reporter because of her on-air delivery and relationship with fans.
I follow Wingert on social media, and another thing I like about her is her constant interaction with fans. There have been numerous times I’ve scrolled through my Twitter feed and seen her respond to a fan asking for a chance to meet her during a game. It’s always met with a yes, as soon as the Braves are finished batting.
I could talk all day about female athletes who have also made waves in sports. On Tuesday, the United States women’s national soccer team defeated Thailand 13-0 in the first game of the world cup. Of course we all know the controversy in recent years about the players receiving less pay than their male counterparts.
A fellow reporter told me a story the other day about a young female athlete he once covered who wanted to play baseball in Louisiana. The locals were not having it, and despite all of her hard work throughout the season, she missed out on being able to play one of the biggest games of that year. However, as is the theme for this entire post, she didn’t let that stop her from continuing to work hard. I haven’t mentioned yet that she was also a phenomenal basketball player, and she is Kim Mulkey, head coach of the Baylor women’s basketball team.
The point I’m trying to make here is that there’s no point in trying to hold women back from sports, when we’ve proved time and time again that we know what we’re doing and we can do it really well. I’m sure if you asked each of these women I’ve mentioned if they agree, they would.
I’m thankful for the people along the way, most of them men, that have helped me to see I can do whatever I set my mind to. I’m afraid that sometimes as a society we still judge people based on how they look before we look to see what they can do. Fortunately for me, I have these women who I have already mentioned, and many more who have blazed the trail for me. I believe it’s partially my job to make sure that path continues to stay lit for those after me.
Sports talk Thursday with Lauren Hunter-For love of the game
Sports May 30, 2019
Recently I’ve started watching the show Friday Night Lights again. Let me just say- this is partially important because I’m not a big TV show person. I don’t have the patience to sit through an hour-long episode nor do I usually have the time to keep up with a series. But I figure with pre-season football kicking in and the fall season quickly approaching, revisiting a show that revolves around high school football is one of the best ways to get me hyped up for what’s to come.
Watching this series has also made me think about a couple of things. For one, why do we as a society rally so much around a sport that’s played by boys no older than 18-years-old? Second, do we put too much pressure on athletes who play the game? And finally, is the hype and the pressure truly worth it?
I think the answer can be summed up pretty easily- yes. And why? For love of the game.
But the love of the game is different for each of us. We’re not all going to attend every single football game or spend thousands of dollars to sit in Sanford every Saturday. We all have our limits, and in my opinion that’s perfectly okay.
Why else would my friend Erin and I bundle up in the freezing cold for playoffs? Because we love football!
I like to say that there’s something about having a team that you love that will get inside of you and never leave. I find it fascinating that there are towns across America like Dillon, Texas that will show up in the thousands to support their Panthers. Coaches and players are local celebrities, and you get your butt in the stands every Friday night just as religiously as a pew on Sunday morning. I came from a high school of nearly 4,000 students and a county of almost one million people, but the same spirit that rallies much smaller towns across the country still pulses through mine.
Yes, oftentimes I’m afraid that means we put too much pressure on the athletes who play the game. In my own personal experience, at the high school level we had so many students that it was nearly impossible to know the daily goings-on at the field house. But it was that age-old cycle of that when we would win, the coaches and players would be praised. One loss and the attitude switched faster than the direction of a twister.
But one of the many great things about this country is we have the freedom of choice in many of our decisions. Even though the athletes and coaches who play these games catch a lot of grief, they still have the choice to walk away. Some do. But for those who don’t? I’d venture to say it’s for love of the game.
When it comes to putting pressure on athletes, especially young ones, I believe the relationship is a two-way street. They should know what they’re doing, but despite all the love we have for the game, we need to understand when enough is enough. I’ve heard the term “daddy ball” thrown around a lot before, and it makes me sad to think that there are parents out there who try to live through their children. It’s important to love and support them, but even more important to let them develop their own love for their game.
Finally, like I mentioned earlier, everyone’s love for the game is different. My Papa Skip, who I probably talk to the most about sports, has a different appreciation for them than I do. I’ll use UGA football as an example. He attended classes at UGA- I never have. He still goes every year to the UGA/Florida game in Jacksonville- I’ve only gone once. He pays each year to have season tickets for the home games- I CERTAINLY don’t do that, although when he doesn’t want them I get first dibs (thanks Papa!)
The point I’m trying to make is while we all may say we love sports, we each love them differently. We each have a certain line we’re willing to cross. But at the same time, come Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday or playoffs, we rally behind our team. And we each get our butts in the stands. Why? For love of the game.
Sports talk Thursday with Lauren Hunter
Featured Stories, Sports May 23, 2019
About five years ago I told my dad, who is one of my biggest fans but also one of the most blunt people you’ll ever meet, that I wanted to be the first female head coach in the NFL.
“You can’t do that, Lauren,” he said.
“Why?” I argued.
I was expecting some drawn-out response about how I didn’t know enough about football.
“Because you can’t go in the men’s locker room,” he said flatly.
Ah, I hadn’t thought of that.
That was my senior year of high school, and never did I think I would be where I am now.
I grew up an UGA fan; my grandad attended college there in the ’60s and the red and black passed down into my veins. I learned to spell Georgia by chanting the fight song in my head (I still do subconsciously whenever I have to write it out!) I had an UGA cheerleader outfit and one of my baby pictures has me holding a stuffed bulldog. One of my nana’s fondest memories is of dancing around the living room with me as an infant when Georgia scored a big touchdown against Georgia Tech. I’ve never considered myself athletic, but I believe I owe a lot of my passion for sports to Papa Skip and Nana.
Papa Skip, Nana, my momma and I at the Georgia v. Florida game in 2017
Flash forward a few years and the first time I stepped foot on a sideline was as a cheerleader for the 8th grade Mill Creek rec football league. Cheerleading was not for me, and within a year I traded in pom poms for a six-foot flag pole as a member of the Mill Creek High School Colorguard.
In high school I lived for Friday night lights, and I have many fond memories of screaming myself hoarse for the Hawks while in the stands with the marching band. It was a well-known fact that I was the most spirited person in the band when it came to football, and while my coach would be yelling at me to pay attention during our warm-ups I’d be busy trying to figure out how much yardage we’d gotten from the last pass.
I guess my fellow classmates took note of my love for the game as well, because they voted me their Homecoming Queen my senior year. That is still one of my all-time favorite memories from high school- hearing my name called while standing on the 50 surrounded by family and friends.
My senior year of high school I was elected Homecoming Queen. This was the moment after my name was called. Look at my dad’s face!
I graduated from Mill Creek in 2015 but I had a hard time staying away from Markham Field. The University of North Georgia doesn’t have a football team, and Mill Creek decided to get really good the year after I left (this was the fall of 2015, the year they got knocked out by Colquitt County one round before the state championship.)
In the spring of 2016 I heard of an opportunity to work for the Gwinnett Braves, Triple-A minor league affiliate for the Atlanta Braves. Needing a summer job but hoping to avoid retail, I took it. I spent the next two summers as a Guest Relations Representative scanning tickets and welcoming fans. In addition to my already-sound knowledge of football, I learned all I could about America’s favorite pastime and a new love was born.
I spent one more summer at Coolray Field before graduating college, and this time it was as a member of the Promotional Team. That may be the most fun I ever had at work. Our team set up the on-field promotional games, signed up contestants, sold 50/50 raffle tickets and overall worked to make sure people had a good time. I certainly did- the memories I made with my team that year will forever be some of my favorites.
For a while I told people that I wasn’t interested in sports journalism, but the Lord as he fortunately often does had other plans. I got the opportunity to intern with the UNG Athletic Department my senior year of college, and I left Gwinnett County to plant some roots in the North Georgia mountains.
I worked for the Gwinnett Braves (now Gwinnett Stripers) for three seasons. Here I’m in my third season as a member of the Promo Team.
Two months ago I still wasn’t certain that I’d ever work in sports again, but when baseball started back up I knew I couldn’t live without it. I was fortunate enough to find an opportunity to apply with FetchYourNews.com, and even more fortunate to get an offer. And here we are.
I don’t tell you all this to brag on my accomplishments or give you some long-winded biography. I want to be just as much a part of your community as you all are now a part of my daily life. When I come to your sideline I want to know each of you and each of you know me. Part of being a great sports reporter is establishing a relationship with your team and community. Part of that relationship includes establishing trust, and how can you can trust someone if you don’t even know them?
One of the biggest reasons I keep working in sports is because of the the communities they create and the people I get to meet. There’s something about having a team to rally around that gets inside of you and never leaves. The people I have met so far and the connections I have made are priceless and will forever be a part of who I am and a big reason for why I do what I do.
So here’s to the journey ahead, and here’s to memories that are yet to be made and the relationships yet to be formed. I can’t wait North Georgia!
–Lauren Hunter
Jackets travel to face Highlanders Following Huge Win
Clay County Schools, TeamFYNSports January 23, 2019
Following a HUGE win, the Jackets traveled to Highlands on Wednesday, January 23rd to face off against the Highlanders.
The Lady Jackets hoped to steal a win on the road as they looked to complete the season sweep of the Highlanders. The Lady Jackets jumped out to an early 10-7 lead as they were led by Foster with six. Hayesville never looked back after grabbing a quick lead as they would never trail after the opening possession. The Lady Jackets were led by Foster with nine in the first half as they led 18-13. Throughout the second half the Lady Jackets controlled the ball and played exceptional defense as they led by a score of 33-24 at the end of the third period. The Lady Jackets were led by Patterson with thirteen as they would hold on to win 48-42 to complete the season sweep over Highlands. The Lady Jackets improve to 14-4 on the season.
The Jackets followed and also jumped out a hot start offensively as they led 25-13 after the first. McTaggert led the team with ten points and a block. The Jackets continued their dominance as they led 38-21 at the half. Despite trailing by seventeen the Highlanders didn’t give up and came out firing on all cylinders during the second half. However the Jackets managed to lead 50-44 after the third. The Jackets would hold on to win 65-59 led by Cook with eighteen. McTaggert also had eighteen and three blocks. The Jackets split the season series and improve to 14-4 and continue their 10 game winning streak.
The Jackets will travel to face across town rival the Murphy Bulldogs Friday, December 25th as they will look to sweep the regular season series.
The Jacket Squads Hit the Road in Hopes of Completing Sweep
Clay County Schools, TeamFYNSports January 23, 2019
Tuesday, January 22nd the Jackets traveled to Nantahala to face in hopes of sweeping the season series. Both Hayesville teams dominated in all facets of the game in the previous match up against Nantahala.
The Lady Jackets entered holding a 12-4 record on the season and had hopes of refueling on the second half of the season. The previous time out the Lady Braves snapped the Lady Jackets 7 game winning streak. Hayesville jumped out to a quick lead as they led 23-8 fueled by senior forward Annis as she led with twelve. The Lady Jackets led 50-15 at the half in a total domination. Annis led with fifteen points and four steals in the first half. The domination continued throughout the second as the Lady Jackets would close out and win by a score of 68-21. The Lash Jackets were led by Annis with 17.
The Jackets followed and carried the intensity that the Lady Jackets brought. The Jackets jumped out to a 30-13 lead. McTaggert led with fourteen points and seven rebounds during the first. The Jackets carried a 68-28 lead into the halftime intermission. Hayesville continued its dominance throughout the course of this one as the Jackets would go on to win 97-52. The Jackets were led by McTaggert with twenty nine.
Both Jacket squads complete the season sweep over Nantahala. The Lady Jackets improve to 13-4 and the Jackets improve to 13-4. In addition the Jackets continue their 9 game win streak.
The Jacket squads will travel to Highlands on Wednesday. The Lady Jackets hope to complete the season sweep as the Jackets hope to avenge their loss and continue their winning streak.
The Jacket squads hosted the Cherokee Braves in a highly touted conference match-up.
Clay County Schools, Hayesville High, TeamFYNSports January 23, 2019
The Jacket squads hosted the Cherokee Braves in a highly touted conference match-up.
The Lady Jackets entered with a 12-3 record hoping to improve their X game winning streak. The Lady Jackets tipped off at 6:30. The Lady Jackets trailed 16-11 after the first despite dominating the boards on both ends of the court. Foster led the Lady Jackets with eight points and five boards throughout the course of the second period despite trailing 37-30 at the half. Despite the X game winning streak the Lady Jackets would fall to the Lady Braves 74-56. Hayesville was led by Foster with ten points and twelve rebounds. The Lady Jackets fall to a 12-4 record.
The Jackets followed by tipping off at 8:00. Hayesville entered with a 11-4 record as they hoped to solidify the number one spot in the conference. The Jackets got off to a slow start offensively as they trailed 26-12 after the first. The Jackets seemed to be in trouble as this is the largest point deficit they have faced on their current winning streak. The Jackets struggled early as they shot four of eleven during the first. Despite the shooting outburst of the Braves during the first Hayesville went back to the playing style that has excelled them to this point, excellent defense. The Jackets held the Braves to ten during the second as they trailed 36-26 at the half. H. Mcclure led the Hayesville squad with seven points and a pair of steals. The Jackets found offensive stride throughout the second half as they closed the deficit 46-41. McTaggert led the Jackets with six throughout the third. The Jackets continued to close the lead as they trailed 59-58 with 6.0 seconds left on the clock as the Braves set up with a pair of free throws in hopes of closing the game. However the Braves missed the first to stretch to a 60-58 lead. Ashe brought the ball down the court in hopes of tying/winning the game. Senior Cook set up in the corner and drilled a game winning three with 2.0 seconds on the clock to beat the Braves in a battle of first place! Your Hayesville Yellow Jackets improve to a 12-4 record and continue their 8 game win streak.
Team FYN Sports Covers Local Sporting Events
Community January 17, 2019
FetchYourNews.com is dedicated to bringing our viewers local sports. All our events are streamed live and then archived for later viewing. FYN covers all sports for all ages: Football, Baseball, Soccer, Volleyball, Tennis……
Jackets Travel to Andrews in Battle of First Place
Clay County Schools, TeamFYNSports January 15, 2019
On a cold and windy Tuesday evening, the Jacket squads traveled thirty minutes north to face off against the Andrews Wildcats.
The Lady Jackets entered the contest ranked eighth in the state and second in the conference trailing only number four team, the Lady Braves of Cherokee County. Hayesville hoped to continue its 2019 dominance as the ladies had yet to lose a game in 2019 with their most previous loss coming December 27, to the Lady Indians of Lumpkin County. Hayesville was hoping to defend their six-game win streak as they tip off against the Lady Wildcats at 6:30.
The Lady Jackets got off to a quick start as Foster grabbed a quick bucket to accelerate the Jackets to a 2-0 lead. Hayesville managed to hold onto that lead for the remainder of the first as they led 13-12. However, despite the Lady Jackets first quarter lead the Wildcats managed to tie the game with less than a minute left before the intermission. Therefore the Lady Jackets entered the intermission tied at twenty-one. Annis led the Lady Jackets with ten in the first half. Coach Chad Mcclure truly inspired the Lady Jackets at the half as they did not allow a single point in quarter three! The Lady Jackets managed to accelerate to a 47-31 point lead. In fact, the Lady Jackets never quit playing exceptional defense in the second half as they only allowed ten points as they went on to win 55-31. Annis Led the Lady Jackets with 15 points as they improve to 12-3 on the season.
The boys will follow by tipping off at eight. The Jackets in comparison to the Lady Jackets were on a six-game win streak as well, as their last defeat was also December 27, against the Indians of Lumpkin County. The Jackets, however, played with a different style of basketball. The Lady Jackets focused on playing exceptional defense and high-quality shots, The Jackets, on the other hand, relied on their high octane offense and big man McTaggart to control the low posts.
The Jackets entered the game tied with the Wildcats for first place in the conference standings. Hayesville held a 10-4 overall record and sat at 4-1 in conference play. Andrews held a 10-2 overall record and also held a 4-1 conference record. Sophomore cousins Blake and Hayden McClure looked to create some separation in the conference standings with a big win over the Wildcats. The McClure cousins both averaged over 15 PPG last week as Hayden led with 16! The Wildcats, however, have a star of their own and are led by So Cabe Ellis as he enters the game averaging 20.9 PPG and shoots 42% from behind the arc.
The Jackets got off to a hot start offensively as they led 21-9 after the first period. The Jackets were led by Ashe with seven points and a steal. The Wildcats, despite trailing in the first fought back as they trailed Hayesville 37-26 at the half. Ashe was a dominant force in the first half. He totaled ten points and a pair of steals. The Jackets came out in the third looking to continue their domination on both sides of the ball.. In fact, they did just that. The Wildcats never closed the double-digit lead the Jackets had as the Jackets went on to win 72-59. Mathis led the Wildcats with twenty-four and McTaggart led the Jackets with nineteen. The Jackets sit in first place with a .5 game lead over the Cherokee Braves. The Jackets are set to host the Braves, Friday, December 18th in a battle of first place.
Patterson Named Lady Jackets POW
Clay County Schools, TeamFYNSports January 14, 2019
This past week, January 6-13 your Hayesville Yellow Jacket squads participated in a trio of games. In which both teams went undefeated while collecting two conference wins. The Lady Jackets outscored opponents by a total of 34 points. When asking Lady Jackets coach Chad Mcclure his thoughts about the recent success he claims that no one player is a “star”, however, he has nine impact players that can come in and affect the game with their style. In fact, we agree with coach Mcclure but want to recognize JR guard Jade Patterson as the TeamFYN Clay County girls basketball player of the week. Patterson averaged 17 PPG over this past week and 2.5 SPG. The Lady Jackets are currently on a six-game win streak and travel to Andrews Tuesday, January 15th to face off against the Wildcats!
Mcclure Named Jackets POW
Clay County Schools, TeamFYNSports January 14, 2019
Along with the Lady Jackets, the Jackets walked away from the week with three huge wins in which they scored over eighty points in all three contests. The Jackets total margin of victory for the Jackets this past week was plus one hundred and four points. Hayesville out scored all opponents this week by thirty plus points. The explosive Jacket offense had multiple twenty point scorers throughout the week but the most consistent SO guard Hayden Mcclure. Mcclure averaged 16.6 PPG and 3.7 assists per game throughout this week. The Jackets will follow the Lady Jackets as they will travel to Andrews for a battle of first place in the conference.
Jackets Host Eagles Following Huge Win
Clay County Schools, TeamFYNSports January 13, 2019
On a cold and rainy Friday night in Clay County your Hayesville Yellow Jackets hosted the Hiawasse Dam Eagles. The Jackets coming off two huge conference wins over Swain and Murphy.
The Lady Jackets entered the contest looking to finish up a dominant week of basketball. The dominant defense of the Lady Jackets pushed them past a top ten ranked Murphy squad the last time out. Despite the yet again dominant defense of the Lady Jackets in the first period of the game, the offense struggled to find stride. Despite trailing 8-5 after the first Hayesville found rhythm throughout the second. Patterson led the Lady Jackets with eight during the second period as the Lady Jackets trailed 22-21 at the halftime intermission. The Lady Jackets defense continued to strengthen throughout the second half as they only allowed five points over the course of the third quarter. The Lady Jackets claimed a 30-27 lead entering the fourth. Hayesville managed to steal one away from the Eagles as the Lady Jackets won by a score of 41-29. The Lady Jackets were lead by Patterson with 14 points. The Lady Jackets improve to 11-3 on the season.
The Jackets followed the Lady Jackets by tipping off at 8:30. The Jackets looking to continue their dominance as well as they’d scored over eighty points in each of their last two games. Shook led the Jackets in the first period with as the Jackets led 9-6. Hayesville found stride offensively in the second and ran with it for the remainder of the game. The Jackets grabbed a 25-17 lead going into the intermission as McTaggert lead the Jackets with eight first half points. Freshman McTaggert continued his dominance on the offensive side of the ball as he scored nine to push the Jackets ahead by a score of 54-28. The Jackets streak of eighty point scoring offensively has expanded to three games now following the 83-41 point domination over the Eagles of Hiawasse Dam. The Jackets improve to 10-4 on the season.
The Jacket squads will travel to Andrews Tuesday, January 15th as they look to face off against the Wildcats.
Jackets Travel to Bryson City to Face Maroon Devils
Clay County Schools, TeamFYNSports January 13, 2019
Despite the cold and rain Tuesday, January eighth the Jackets traveled to Swain County high school to face off against the Maroon Devils.
The Lady Jackets were fighting for the third place ranking in the conference as they had yet to face the Devils yet this year. The Lady Jackets got off to a slow start offensively as the game remained scoreless for the first four minutes of the game. Foster led be Lady Jackets with four points and three rebounds during the first period. Despite struggling to find offense during the first Hayesville’s offense exploded by going off scoring twenty three points; as they were led by Patterson led the Lady Jackets with twelve points. The Maroon Devils tailed 30-23 at the half as Patterson led the Lady Jackets with twelve points and two steals in the first half. The dominance on the offensive side of the ball most certainly carried over into the second half as the Lady Jackets came out firing on all cylinders as three Hayesville scorers put up five points or more. Foster led the Lady Jackets with six points and two rebounds. The Lady Jackets went to beat the Lady Devils as they dominated in all facets of the game, Patterson led the Lady Jackets with twenty three points followed by Annis with seventeen. Helpmau led the Lady Maroon Devils with twenty three points. The Lady Jackets improve to 9-3 on the season.
The Jackets followed by tipping off at 8:00. During the first Hayesville was playing generous as 6 players scored and all makes came off assists as the Jackets jumped out to a lead as they lead 13-12. Cothren led the Jackets in the second period with five. Hayesville walked into halftime with a 28-22 lead as Cothren lead with seven. The Jacket offense exploded in the second half led by Sr forward Cook with nine points as the Jackets grabbed a 53-24 lead. Shook lead Hayesville in the fourth as they ran away with a big win 81-51 to improve to 8-4 on the season. All nine Jackets scored 5 or more points, lead by Cook with 19 points.
The next match up for your Hayesville yellow Jackets will be Thursday, January 10th as they will host the across town rival Murphy Bulldogs. The Lady Jackets will tip off at 6:30 followed but the Jackets.
Jackets Host Cross Town Rivalry Against Murphy Bulldogs
Clay County Schools, TeamFYNSports January 13, 2019
Thursday, January 10 the Murphy Bulldogs traveled to Clay County to face off against your Hayesville Yellow Jackets in a huge rivalry and conference game.
The Lady Jackets looked to face off against the seventh ranked team in 1A in the Lady Bulldogs. Hayesville looked to take advantage of the Bulldogs as they were short handed missing their star Fr center as she was sidelined with a concussion. In a game that would consist of great defense on both sides the Lady Jackets struggled offensively during the first, however they played sound defense as they grabbed six rebounds and two steals. Hayesville trailed 8-5 after the first. Patterson lead the Lady Jackets with six points in the second period as the Lady Jackets entered halftime trialing 22-16. Hayesville closed in on the Bulldogs as they were led by Foster with four points and Patterson with a steal as they narrowed the deficit 27-25. Entering the final period the crowd on both sides was electric in what seemed to be a sold out gymnasium. The Lady Jackets went on to grab a lead with the time winding down in the quarter a late three by Annis but the final stamp on this one as the Lady Jackets went on to lead 34-29 in what was the best game of the season for the Lady Jackets. Patterson lead Hayesville with fourteen points. The Lady Jackets improve to 10-3, move into second in the conference standings, and enter the top ten for the first time this season as they sit tenth in the state!
The Jackets followed by tipping off at 8:00. Hayesville started hot offensively as B. Mcclure lead the Jackets with eight points as he hit two threes as they lead 22-14. The offensive dominance would continue throughout as the Jackets lead 49-34 at the halftime intermission and were lead by B. Mcclure with twenty one points in the first half as he made four from behind the arc. The Jackets had no mercy for the rival Bulldogs throughout the second half as they would go on to win by a score of 96-64. B. Mcclure lead the Jackets with twenty seven and was followed by H. Mcclure with twenty two. The Jackets improved to 9-4 on the season.
Hayesville will host Hiawasse Dam Friday, January 11th as the varsity girls will tip off at 7. Come out and support your Jackets as they look to grab another win!