389 Country
Staff Report
The Hayesville Yellow Jackets delivered an electrifying performance on Saturday, Dec. 28, in round two of the 38th annual Battle of the States basketball tournament held in Hiawassee, GA. Facing the Coosa Eagles in a loser's bracket contest, the Yellow Jackets mounted a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback that came up just short in a heart-pounding 58-57 loss.
Coosa started strong, leading 10-9 at the end of the first quarter and extending their advantage to 29-23 by halftime. Hayesville’s first-half offense was powered by Slade Crouch with 10 points and Brady Reynolds with 9.
The Eagles held firm in the third quarter, widening the gap to 44-32. However, the Yellow Jackets weren’t done. Hayesville stormed back in the fourth, igniting the crowd with a thrilling rally that brought them within striking distance. With the clock winding down, the Yellow Jackets had a chance to clinch the win, but the Eagles managed to hold them off in the closing seconds, winning 58-57.
Slade Crouch finished with an outstanding 27-point performance, while Brady Reynolds contributed an impressive 25 points. Eli Chandler and Landon Trout each added 2 points, and Jackson Sellers chipped in 1.
The Yellow Jackets will return to the court on Monday, Dec. 30, at 11:30 a.m. for their final game of the tournament. Their opponent had not been determined at the time of publication.
Despite the loss, Hayesville’s grit and determination promise an exciting conclusion to their Battle of the States journey. Stay tuned for updates.