For much of the fourth quarter Friday night, Robbinsville seemed destined to complete a comeback.
But the Black Knights were unable to rebound from surrendering an 11-9 first-quarter lead against the defending Smoky Mountain Conference champion-Hayesville Yellow Jackets, ultimately suffering their first loss of the season, 60-56.
“I felt like we were ready to play and really competed hard against a very tough opponent,” said Robbinsville head coach Jake Beasley. “We knew that Hayesville was going to be very disciplined and very well-coached, and that we would have to execute our game plan. I feel like we did that for all but the second quarter.”
Indeed, the Knights were outscored 22-10 in the second segment, struggling to defend the perimeter. Recouping at the break, Robbinsville had shaved the deficit to 41-38 by the end of the third period, with Dasan Gross helping to close the gap on a pair of back-to-back buckets in the final 90 seconds of the stanza.
A trey from Kamdyn Jordan with 3:45 remaining in the game cut Hayesville’s lead to 47-46, with Drey Keener soon drawing a foul and sinking the tying free throw at
the 3:10 mark. But the Jackets continued to make baskets down the stretch and the final effort from the Knights was soon thwarted.
“The kids battled back to tie the game and that speaks volumes,” Beasley added. “We never quit and if we could’ve turned a couple of plays around, we would’ve came out winners.
“I told the kids in the locker room after the game that they should realize they can play with anyone now, because Hayesville is always a very tough opponent.”
Junior varsity
Despite a last-ditch effort by Hayesville, the junior varsity Black Knights held off the charge and picked up a 59-56 win.
Xander Wachacha drained six 3’s in the game, finishing with 28 overall, also accumulating six steals and three rebounds. Donovan Carpenter had 10 points, seven boards, two assists, one steal and one block.