Hiwassee Dam – Eagles boys basketball head coach Mark Raper knew he had a few players he could rely on heading into this season.
He knew Little Smoky Mountain Conference Player of the Year Sam Bradford would remain a force down low, junior Preston Hyde could be an excellent shooter, and Kolby Stiles had experience and potential as the glue guy every team needs to be successful. The rest of his team didn’t have the same experience.
However, what they lack in experience for now, the Eagles can make up for in confidence after its Nov. 16 season opener. Hiwassee Dam knocked off Towns County, the defending Georgia High School Association class A public state champion, 67-64.
“Hard-fought win,” Raper said. “My key guys played good, my younger kids who came up and had their first varsity game played hard, a little crazy, but that’s to be expected.”
Fans who attended the first game without capacity restrictions at The Nest since Feb. 25, 2020, saw a back-and-forth battle. The Eagles jumped out to a 22-10 lead thanks to Hyde, who hit five three-pointers in the first quarter. He finished the game with seven triples for 21 points.
“When Preston’s hitting, we’re hard to beat,” Raper said. “There’s no doubt about it.”
The Indians worked their way back into the game, taking advantage of its size advantage down low and some Hiwassee Dam foul trouble. Bradford picked up his second with 5:36 to go in the second quarter, and starting point guard Leonard Hickson joined him on the bench later in the frame.
With Towns County keying on Hyde after his blazing hot start and Hiwassee Dam in foul trouble, the Eagles’ offense stalled. The Indians took advantage, including hitting 12 of 15 free throws in the second quarter, to lead 34-33 at halftime.
Collin Crowder had an easy layup for two of his game-high 30 points to start the second half, and it looked like Towns County’s athleticism and size were starting to wear down Hiwassee Dam. But with Bradford back, the Eagles had an answer.
He scored eight of their next 10 points, and back-to-back three-point plays gave Hiwassee Dam a 44-42 lead with 3:24 left in the third quarter. Bradford would go on to finish with a team-high 26 points.
“We play through Sam,” Raper said. “Sam’s our guy. We get him the ball on offense inside and out.”
It would remain a one-possession game until early in the fourth quarter, when the Eagles took the lead and didn’t trail again. Trailing 55-54, a Hyde three from the left corner gave Hiwassee Dam the lead with about five and a half minutes remaining. Bradford hit two free throws to push the lead to four with 3:44 to go, then Stiles chased down a loose ball for a layup to extend the lead to six.
Though the Eagles would hold on to win, there were some teaching moments late. After taking a 64-57 lead, Towns County scored seven straight to tie the game, with the tying basket coming after a turnover when Hyde got caught between two defenders. Bradford’s three-point play with 1:03 left would make the difference, though Hiwassee Dam still committed another turnover and missed two free throws in the final minute.
“We’re clearly an inexperienced team outside of Sam and Kolby,” Raper said. “And it shows a lot. … The last two minutes we got real excited and turned the ball over a lot. I think that’s not just youth, but inexperience.”
The Eagles will get another crack at Towns County on Tuesday, when they cross state lines for their first road game of the season. Results ended after this week’s edition of the Cherokee Scout went to press.