Travis Dockery
389 Country
HAYESVILLE, NC – On Saturday, February 22, the Hayesville High School Lady Yellow Jacket varsity basketball team squared off against the formidable Cherokee Lady Braves in the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament finals. The Darryl K. McClure Gymnasium was packed with fervent fans, their cheers echoing through the rafters as the two teams battled for supremacy. Cherokee entered as heavy favorites, having dominated opponents all season, and they lived up to the billing, securing a decisive 63-24 victory despite a spirited early effort from Hayesville.
The Lady Yellow Jackets struck first, with a quick bucket giving them a fleeting 2-0 lead—the only time they’d hold the advantage all night. Cherokee swiftly responded, clamping down defensively and finding their offensive groove. By the end of the first quarter, the Lady Braves had surged ahead 12-6, setting the tone for what would become a one-sided affair. By halftime, Cherokee’s relentless pace and precision had ballooned their lead to 36-10, leaving Hayesville searching for answers.
The third quarter brought more than just basketball—it delivered drama. Early in the period, a physical altercation erupted between Hayesville’s Breanna Abrams and Cherokee’s Whitney Rogers. What started as a tussle quickly escalated into an all-out brawl, halting play as officials scrambled to restore order. After a lengthy deliberation, both players received technical fouls, which offset each other, and Rogers was ejected from the game. The incident left the Lady Braves a player short, but it did little to slow Cherokee’s momentum. The Lady Braves ramped up their full-court press, forcing turnovers and converting them into easy baskets. By the end of the third, Cherokee led 58-19, and the outcome was all but sealed.
The final quarter saw Cherokee cruise to a 63-24 win, capping off their dominant run through the conference tournament. For Hayesville, Ava Shook led the way with 8 points, followed by Mallory Peck with 6. Breanna Abrams contributed 4 points. Cherokee’s suffocating defense and opportunistic offense proved too much for the Lady Jackets to handle.
In post-game remarks, Hayesville head coach Chad McClure reflected on the team’s strategy and its unraveling. “Our goal was to come out and try to control the ball, basically extend our possessions for as long as possible,” he said. “We did that early on which limited them, but once they started pressing on defense, they just created opportunities.” McClure applauded his team's resiliency saying, "I told the team in the locker room that they showed today that no matter the opponent or the score, they wouldn't just be pushed around or give up."
It was only the third time this season the Lady Braves had been held to 65 points or less.
Despite the lopsided loss, the Lady Yellow Jackets showed flashes of resilience, particularly in that opening salvo. The full house at Darryl K. McClure Gymnasium roared their support throughout, a reminder of the community’s pride in their team.
Now, with the conference tournament behind them, Hayesville shifts focus to the state tournament, which tips off on Tuesday, February 25. Their opponent remained unknown at the time of publication, but the Lady Jackets will look to regroup and channel their energy into a fresh challenge.
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