The Hayesville Lady Yellow Jackets played in a challenging game Friday night at top ten ranked Cherokee. The Lady Braves have been near the top of the state rankings all year and also are the only conference opponent to take down the conference champion Lady Murphy Bulldogs. As they have much of the year, Hayesville started the game struggling on offense. Cherokee got out to a big lead and won easily 70-39.

1st Half:

The first half was reminiscent of the last several Lady Yellow Jackets games, with Hayesville stumbling out of the blocks. After slightly improving their season-long turnover problems over the last couple of games, turnovers plagued Hayesville all night. Hayesville probably had more turnovers than they did shot attempts in the game. Cherokee Leilaya Mcmillan also came out on fire, torching Hayesville for 22 first-half points. At the second quarter’s buzzer, the Lady Braves led 33-11.

2nd Half:

Hayesville slightly improved in the second half but still could not keep up with the Braves’ potent offense. The Lady Yellow Jackets did get some good performances out of young players. Mallary Peck showed off her lefty jump hook, which she has developed throughout the season as a right-handed player. She scored one basket off of it and got fouled on several other attempts. While the team more than doubled their second-half scoring output, it was not near enough to catch up with Cherokee. The Lady Braves would go on to win 70-39 defending their home court.

The Lady Yellow Jackets will next play on Monday, February 7th, hosting the Cherokee Lady Braves. This odd scheduling having to play Cherokee back-to-back games was due to it being rescheduled several times this year. The game on Monday will be covered live on fyntv.com. To get updates or see how the Yellow Jackets have done, tune in to all the latest Team FYN sports coverage on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and at https://claync.fetchyournews.com/category/teamfynsport

On Tuesday evening, the Hayesville Lady Yellow Jackets traveled to play at the Swain. The Lady Yellow Jackets struggled in the first quarter and allowed the Lady Maroon Devils to build an early lead. The Lady Yellow Jackets had a similarly rough start to the second half, allowing Swain to stretch their lead out again early in the fourth quarter. Swain held Hayesville off in the second half to win 55-43.

Lila Paynes drives to the rim for a basket.

1st Half:

The Lady Yellow Jackets came out playing hard and did a pretty good job taking care of the ball. Yet even when at times getting in a good position, couldn’t get shots to fall. In comparison, Swain was hot and had a big 17 point first quarter, to take a 17-6 into the second quarter. The Lady Yellow Jackets did not give up, playing hard in the second quarter and narrowed the Lady Devil lead. Six players scored for Hayesville in the quarter, helping bring Swain’s lead down from 11 to 8 at halftime.

2nd Half:

The Lady Yellow Jackets’ third quarter mirrored their first quarter offensively. The good thing for Hayesville was that while they only scored four points in the quarter, they held Swain to just three points. This narrows the lead again to where Hayesville only trailed 25-32 going into the fourth quarter. Hayesville continued to battle hard in the fourth quarter, but the Lady Devils had an offensive explosion. Scoring 23 fourth-quarter points sealed a big win for Swain, 55-43.

Mallory Peck makes two free throws.

Hayesville Leading Scorers:

Lila Payne 10 points

Lila Roberts 6 points

Cecilia Jones 6 points

Brooke Graves 6 points

The Lady Yellow Jackets will next play on Friday, February 3rd, at Cherokee. The game on Friday will be covered live on fyntv.com. To get updates or see how the Yellow Jackets have done, tune in to all the latest Team FYN sports coverage on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and at https://claync.fetchyournews.com/category/teamfynsport

On Friday evening, the Hayesville Lady Yellow Jackets took on a very tough opponent. The Murphy Lady Bulldogs are 2X defending state champions and currently sit first in the Smoky Mountain Conference. Murphy backed up their lofty credentials, controlling the action all game long and winning the game easily 51-27.

Senior Breanna Cothren looks for an open teammate.

1st Half:

The game was dictated by the Lady Bulldogs early, and their offense was rolling. As the Lady the Bulldog offense was cruising, the Lady Yellow Jackets offense was running on fumes. One bright spot for Hayesville on the night was their handling of the Lady Bulldogs’ full-court pressure. The Lady Yellow Jackets have struggled all season facing full and half-court traps. Yet even against one of the conference’s best pressing teams, Hayesville handled as well as they had all season. Yet even with their ability to break the press, their offense simply couldn’t get shots to fall. The Lady Bulldogs would go into halftime leading 36-10.

2nd Half:

Murphy called off the dogs, so to speak, in the second half with their star players only playing the first few minutes of the third quarter. The Lady Yellow Jackets offense still was great but was better in the second half. In fact, they outscored Murphy in the second half. Give credit to Hayesville as it appeared that the game was quickly heading towards a running clock at halftime. Hayesville’s younger players like Breanna Abrams, Mallory Peck, and a few others were responsible for keeping the game from getting to that running clock threshold. 

Hayesville Leading Scorer:

Lila Payne 10 points

Note for Hayesville fans the Lady Yellow Jackets game today against Franklin has been postponed/canceled. The Lady Yellow Jackets will next play on Tuesday, February 1st, at Swain in a critical conference matchup. To get updates or see how the Yellow Jackets have done, tune in to all the latest Team FYN sports coverage on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and at https://claync.fetchyournews.com/category/teamfynsports

Tuesday night, the Hayesville Lady Yellow Jackets hosted the Swain Lady Maroon Devils. The Lady Yellow Jackets struggled offensively all night and had a hard time getting shots to fall. While they played great defense, Swain continually built their lead quarter by quarter. A big fourth-quarter run put the game away in Swain’s favor winning 41-27.

Senior Kaylee Leatherwood makes a post move to score.

1st Half:

The Lady Yellow Jackets were plagued by a slow start, playing great defense but couldn’t get any shots to fall offensively. They held Swain to 10 points in the first quarter but only managed a meager two points themselves. Trailing going into the 2nd quarter, Hayesville’s offense was still running on fumes. They did triple their output, but that was still only six points. While their defense was still solid, Swain was able to further extend their lead to 19-8 at halftime.

2nd Half:

The Yellow Jackets got it back to single digits early in the third quarter trailing by eight at one point. A late quarter run by Swain, though, put the game back to double digits. The Lady Jackets would go into the fourth quarter trailing 26-15. Hayesville had their best offensive quarter of the game in the fourth. It was too little too late, though, as the Lady Maroon Devils had built an insurmountable lead. Hayesville would lose 41-27 in this last game before Christmas break.

Junior Lila Roberts throws a pass to Cecilia Jones.

Hayesville Leading Scorers:

Lila Payne 9 points
Kaylee Leatherwood 9 points

The Lady Yellow Jackets’ next play starting the Swain Christmas tournament on Tuesday, December 28th. To get updates or see how the Yellow Jackets have done, tune in to all the latest FYN sports coverage on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and at https://claync.fetchyournews.com/category/teamfynsports

The Hayesville Lady Yellow Jacket basketball team hosted the Bobcats of Blue Ridge Monday night. The Lady Bobcats really challenged Hayesville in the first half. With only six players, they ran out of gas in the second half. The Lady Yellow Jackets would force their will in the second half, going on to win 60-36.

Junior Lila Roberts sets up the offense.

1st Half Recap:

Hayesville and Blue Ridge battled in the first quarter, with the Lady Yellow Jackets perhaps surprised by the Lady Bobcats offensive punch. Mahalah Stewart hit two deep threes in the first quarter, keeping the score close. Hayesville would lead 14-10 after the first quarter. Hayesville would continue to increase their lead methodically. They were led by Lila Payne, who had four first-half threes to help Hayesville to a comfortable 28-19 lead at halftime.

2nd Half Recap:

The third quarter was all Hayesville though, making adjustments at halftime seemed to do the trick. The Yellow Jackets held the Lady Bobcats to just three points in the third quarter. At the same time, they were lighting it up and scored 19 points of their own to take complete control and lead 47 to 22 at the end of the third quarter. The fourth quarter with a big lead saw Hayesville clear the bench and get valuable minutes for many of their subs. Hayesville would get outscored by one in the fourth quarter. Their lead, though, was insurmountable, as the Lady Yellow Jackets would go on to win 60-36.

Senior Cecilia Jones feeds a pass into the post.

Hayesville Leading Scorers:

Lila Payne 21 points
Mallory Peck 12 points
Cecilia Jones 9 points
Kaylee Leatherwood 9 points

The Lady Yellow Jackets’ next play on Tuesday, December 21st, when they host the Swain Lady Maroon Devils (the game will be live on fyntv.com). To get updates or see how the Yellow Jackets have done, tune in to all the latest FYN sports coverage on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and at https://claync.fetchyournews.com/category/teamfynsports

The Hayesville Lady Yellow Jackets traveled to take on the two-time defending state champion Murphy Lady Bulldogs. Hayesville hung tough in the first half and looked to give Murphy a game. The second half was a different story, though, as the Lady Bulldogs heated up and stretched out their lead. Turnovers and rebounding troubles plagued the Lady Yellow Jackets. Murphy would go on to win 67-37.

Hayesville senior Cecilia Jones drives to the basket.

1st Half:

The Lady Yellow Jackets came out firing in the first quarter, specifically Lila Payne, who had five early points for Hayesville. Hayesville actually had an early 8-6 lead, but Murphy went on a seven-point run to take a 13-8 lead at the end of the first quarter. Murphy started to really get it going in the second quarter and stretched out their lead. The Lady Bulldogs press really bothered Hayesville, and it forced double-digit turnovers on the night. By halftime, Murphy had taken a commanding lead 33-17.

Hayesville junior Lila Roberts sizes up her defender.

2nd Half:

Hayesville just never got their offense going, and they only managed eight third-quarter points. While the Lady Bulldogs got hot and put the game out of reach in the third quarter. Their four threes in the third quarter helped them build their lead to 53-25. As mentioned, Murphy’s post players did a great job rebounding. They had double-digit offensive rebounds on the night, and when they weren’t scoring on their first shot, they were scoring on the extra chances. Overall each team probably shot similarly from the floor, but all the steals and offensive boards accounted for the differential in Murphy’s favor. Put all this together, and it adds up to Murphy’s 67-37 win.

Game Leading Scorers:

Lila Payne 22 points (Hayesville)

Lailee Holloway 14 points (Murphy)

Torin Rogers 14 points (Murphy)

Mallory Peck 9 points (Hayesville)

Hayesville freshman Mallory Peck knocks down a free throw.

The Lady Yellow Jackets’ next play on Monday, December 20th, when they host the Blue Ridge Lady Bobcats (the game will be live on fyntv.com). To get updates or see how the Yellow Jackets have done, tune in to all the latest FYN sports coverage on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and at https://claync.fetchyournews.com/category/teamfynsports

The Hayesville Lady Yellow Jackets took part in their second game in as many nights. This time hosting the Lady Wildcats of Andrews. Hayesville took early control of the game but Andrews fought back in the third quarter. Lila Payne led the Lady Yellow Jackets on a big scoring run early in the fourth quarter to put the game away. Hayesville would go on to win their first conference matchup of the year, 40-25.

1st half:

The Lady Yellow Jackets got out to a quick start and took an early lead on the Lady Wildcats. Hayesville’s press really bothered Andrews and forced a ton of turnovers in the first half. Andrews’ offense was actually pretty decent when they were not turning it over. Hayesville’s pressure defense allowed for them to get some easy baskets though, and by the end of the first quarter, they led 17-5. The 2nd quarter was a different story as Hayesville’s offense went cold, getting held to only six points in the quarter. Yet great team defense held Andrews to only five points in the quarter. This allowed for Hayesville to increase their lead by one in the second quarter going into halftime up 23-10.

2nd Half:

Andrews fought hard in the third quarter and really looked to be on the comeback trail. They were playing great defense and started to have some shots fall. At one point they got it all the way down to a seven-point game. They outscored Hayesville by three in the quarter and went into the fourth quarter trailing just 30-20. Hayesville’s Lila Payne got hot for a stretch and her back-to-back threes were a backbreaker to the Andrews comeback attempt. Hayesville’s big fourth-quarter simply put the game out of reach and help them secure their second straight victory.

Game Leading Scorers:

Lila Payne 16 points (Hayesville)

Emily Mealer 12 points (Andrews)

Breanna Cothren 9 points (Hayesville)

Cecilia Jones 8 points (Hayesville)

Game Highlights:

https://youtu.be/grnoHH63eCk

Hayesville will next play on Friday, December 17th, as they will travel to Murphy in an important conference game. To get updates or see how the Yellow Jackets have done tune in to all the latest FYN sports coverage on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and at https://claync.fetchyournews.com/category/teamfynsports

The Hayesville Yellow Jackets girls basketball team took the long trip to play Nantahala on Tuesday evening. It was the only game of the evening as Nantahala only has a girls team this year. The Lady Yellow Jackets played well and were in complete control of the game winning 80-29.

Game Recap:

It was a hot start for the Lady Yellow Jackets who dominated from tip off in the first quarter. The Lady Yellow Jackets had 24 first quarter points to just 10 from Nantahala. The second quarter was much of the same as the Lady Yellow Jackets stretched their lead out to 42-18. Hayesville seniors Lila Payne and Cecelia Jones had 14 and 12 points respectively in the first half alone. The second half was much of the same as Hayesville stretched their lead out to over 40 points. With the lead and a running clock the second half was a quick one. It was good to see some of the younger players get big minutes and perform well though. Freshman Mallory Peck had a great game scoring 14 points and Breanna Abrams had 6 points in the fourth quarter. The Lady Yellow Jackets would go on to win in a landslide 80-29.

Hayesville Leading Scorers:

Lila Payne 20 points

Cecelia Jones 14 points

Mallory Peck 14 points

Game Highlights:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzUXCyc2cAY

The Hayesville Lady Yellow Jackets opened the season with a very difficult opponent in Tallulah Falls. Hayesville played them really tough in the first half and started to run out of gas in the second half. It is to be expected considering Tallulah Falls had played four games this season while this was Hayesville’s first. There were a lot of positives to take away for the Lady Yellow Jackets in the game. Yet they would lose their season opener 70-34.

1st Half:

Hayesville was ice cold in the first quarter and that allowed Tallulah Falls to take a lead early. While Tallulah had 17 first quarter points including 13 from Danika Lightbourne Hayesville only managed 6. Those six points came from Lila Payne off of two three point makes. The second quarter was a different story as the Lady Yellow Jackets got their legs underneath them and played right with the Indians. Both teams had 18 points in the quarter but Tallulah’s first quarter  margin would be carried into halftime. Hayesvilles got balanced scoring in the quarter with five players contributing including Payne and Lila Roberts each hitting a pair of threes. 

2nd Half:

You could tell in the second half the Lady Yellow Jackets were just unable to keep up with the speed of Tallulah Falls. It may be different when the Indians come to Hayesville later in the year. You could tell the Indians already 4 games into their season were in a little more conditioned in the second half. They were able to extend their lead that was just 11 at halftime to up 31 by the end of the quarter. Then with a large lead the fourth quarter went quickly. Tallulah Falls were able to extend their lead even further and the game was out of reach. The Indians strong second half propelled them to a 70-34 victory.

Game Notes:

• Hayesville’s strong second quarter was a very positive sign for the young team. If they can build on those successes and continue to get some scoring from their young players it bode well for games in the future.
• Lila Payne had a strong 1st half scoring 12 but defensive adjustments from the Indians held her scoreless in the second half. 
• The young post players Mallory Peck and Brooke Graves showed lots of promise. They can definitely take positives out of their play to build on.

Leading Hayesville Scorers:

Lila Payne: 12 points

Lila Roberts: 8 points

Breanna Cothren: 6 points

The Lady Yellow Jackets next play at home against the Nantahala Lady Hawks on Tuesday December 7th. To get updates or see how the Yellow Jackets have done tune in to all the latest FYN sports coverage on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and at https://claync.fetchyournews.com/category/teamfynsports

The Hayesville Lady Yellow Jackets come into the season with quite a few unknowns. With experienced head coach Chad McClure at the helm though expect the Lady Yellow Jackets to surprise some folks. They have a couple solid pieces in Lila Payne and Lila Roberts, it will just be a matter of some young players emerging. A tough schedule and competitive conference may mean they take a few bumps along the way. Yet come playoff time they could be a tough out.

Last Year’s Team:

A very challenging year having to deal with the strange Covid season was part of the reason the Lady Yellow Jackets struggled. Going just 4-10 on the year the Lady Yellow Jackets took a step back having their first losing season in 5 years. They did have a strong core of seniors including Lizzy Brusini, Jocelin Buckner, Madison Ellison, Brianna Foster, and Kynnly McClure.

This Years Team:

Hayesville does bring back the strong guard duo of Payne and Roberts who will be surrounded by a very young team otherwise. Lila Payne leads the way for the senior class that is made up of four seniors in total. Payne is the only senior though that has seen significant playing time and the Lady Yellow Jackets will need the others to step up. Players like Cecilia Jones, Kaylee Leatherwood and Breanna Cothren. They also have three newcomers to the program who they will look to get big contributions from as the year goes on. A sophomore Maple Mackey and two freshmen Mallory Peck, and Brooke Graves. 

Conference:

1. Robbinsville (11-1) 2. Murphy (10-2) 3. Rosman (7-5) 4. Cherokee (7-5) 5. Swain (4-8) 6. Hayesville (3-9) 7. Andrews (0-12)

With Rosman no longer in the conference, the Big Smoky Mtn conference is now made up of 6 teams. Robbinsville and Murphy will once again probably fight it out for first place. While both are also state championship contenders. Cherokee is always strong and will look to fight their way into one of the top two spots. Swain returns quite a bit and could be a team we see take a big step forward. To fight back to the top half of the conference the Lady Yellow Jackets will need some players to step up around Payne and Roberts.

Schedule Notes:

-Away at Tallulah Falls on Dec 3rd season opener and home against Tallulah Falls January 22nd (live on fyntv.com)

-Away against Murphy December 17th and home against Murphy January 28th (live one fyntv.com)

-Home against Swain December 21st (live on fyntv.com) and away at Swain February 1st.

-Christmas tournament at Swain Co. December 28th, 29th, and 30th open the tournament against Mtn Heritage on December 28th.

-Away at Robbinsville on January 7th and home against Robbinsville on February 8th (last home game of season, will be live on fyntv.com) 

-Conference tournament at Swain February 10th through the 18th 

Full Schedule can be found at:

https://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/hayesville-yellowjackets-(hayesville,nc)/girls-basketball/schedule.htm

Preseason interview with coach Chad McClure:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1acOPM0WT8

Expectations & Goals:

The Lady Yellow Jackets play in the toughest 1A girls conference in the entire state. With that said it would probably be tough for them to compete for a conference championship. Yet they do have some really good young players who if they emerge, finding themselves in the top half of the conference is not unrealistic. As well, Chad McClure is the longest tenured coach in the conference and always has a few tricks up his sleeve. His team’s defense has long helped keep them in games and if they can hit shots down the stretch they could pull off several upsets this year.