Nantahala – Hiwassee Dam was very close to bringing two Little Smoky Mountain Conference tournament trophies back down N.C. 294.
The Lady Eagles lost a nail-biter to top-seeded Highlands, 49-47, while the Eagles surged past Highlands in the third quarter on their way to a 77-52 win.
The Lady Eagles lost twice to Highlands this year, but took the Lady Highlanders right down to the wire Thursday. Kiera Taylor had a game-high 18 points to lead Hiwassee Dam, while Lilly Kate Bryson had 13 to lead Highlands.
“Tonight we played hard all night,” head coach David Payne said. “We hustled, we got after the ball. … Super proud of their effort and tenacity to have an opportunity there at the end.”
After the game was tied at 23 at halftime. Highlands (18-6 overall) got some separation in the third quarter, leading 40-31 heading into the final frame. Against the Lady Highlanders, that can feel like 19 points given their patient offense.
However, the Lady Eagles (14-12) rallied, getting 3-pointers from Katie McNabb and Payton McNabb to start the fourth quarter. They also hit six straight foul shots during the quarter as part of a 23-for-28 effort from the foul line for the game, though it was a runner by freshman Brinkley Payne that tied the game at 47 with about a minute left.
After a lane violation on a Highlands free throw on the ensuing possession, Hiwassee Dam had a chance to take the lead but committed one of its 24 turnovers on the night. The Lady Highlanders called a timeout and drew up a play that eventually worked the ball to Beatrice Bryson in the right corner.
The senior drove past her defender and hit the game-winning layup with 16 seconds left. The Lady Eagles had a good look but didn’t hit, then got the rebound before having the ball taken away.
Despite the loss, coach David Payne has seen his team grow. He thinks they’re playing their best basketball of the season.
“I told them if I was somebody else, I wouldn’t want to be playing us right now,” he said.
In the boys championship game, Hiwassee Dam (14-12) led most of the way, though Highlands made it interesting in the first half. The Eagles were in trouble with point guard Leo Hickson on the bench with two fouls, so the offense didn’t run smoothly.
Highlands (7-16) took advantage, getting some fast break points as well as some key offensive rebounds. The Highlanders had several second-chance points, and Harrison Gates went to work down low and had 10 points in the first half.
After leading just 39-29 at halftime, Hiwassee Dam came out with a different intensity to start the third quarter. They hit a few more shots, and with Hickson back in the game were able to play more at their preferred up-tempo style.
A 32-7 run put the Eagles lead at 71-40 and put the game out of reach. Preston Hyde had a game-high 25 points to lead Hiwassee Dam, while Green had 17 to lead Highlands’ players.
“When we rebound and push, we’re pretty hard to guard,” Hiwassee Dam head coach Mark Raper said. “And that’s what we did.”
The title meant a little more to Hiwassee Dam due to assistant coach Leon Green’s health issues. Green, who has been Raper’s right-hand man on the bench for 13 seasons, has been on the kidney transplant waiting list for more than five years.
When he went in for one of his usual routine tests to see if he was healthy enough to stay on the list, doctors found blockages in his heart. He underwent surgery Tuesday to remove his catheter, then will undergo quadruple bypass surgery Friday, March 3.
The family will hold a fundraiser at Legend’s Steakhouse in downtown Murphy from 4-8 p.m. Thursday to help pay for his medical bills. Green is the more steady presence on the bench compared to the sometimes fiery Raper and, true to form, told his head coach he’s planning on being back for basketball camp in June.
“The kids have been playing for him a lot,” Raper said. “Even though he’s hard on them, they love him to death. Hopefully, everything will go smooth, and the multiple surgeries he has to have will go fine. We’re all praying for him.”