Hiwassee Dam – It was just one of those nights for Hiwassee Dam girls basketball to open the 2021-22 season. The Lady Eagles just couldn’t get shots to fall in a 41-33 loss to Towns County, Ga.
“Our shot selection was good I thought,” Hiwassee Dam head coach Avery Cutshaw said. “We made some in between the stretches, we just didn’t make enough shots, and we couldn’t finish some easy shots.”
Hiwassee Dam entered this season with two returning starters from last year’s Little Smoky Mountain Conference championship team, and both had some solid moments in this year’s opener. Junior Kiera Taylor was the floor general, finishing with a team-high nine points.
“She’s the point guard. We kind of go as she goes,” Cutshaw said. “She leads the team, she calls the offenses and the defense when we’re over there on the sideline. She’s a good floor leader.”
Fellow returning starter Riley Payne struggled with her shooting touch, like the rest of her teammates, but hit two shots in the fourth quarter and provided energy on the defensive end. Cutshaw was also impressed with the McNabb cousins, freshman Olivia McNabb and sophomore Katie McNabb, as well as his other seniors for their leadership.
“My seniors, when they were on the floor, I felt really good about their leadership,” Cutshaw said.
“They never gave up on the defensive end. I’ve always told them, your offense, it may not be there one night, you have to make it up on defense, and they kept playing hard defensively.”
The Indians were able to build a lead thanks to a strong full-court press in the opening minutes. It took Hiwassee Dam a few possessions to cross half court, and the Eagles didn’t hit their first shot from the field until a layup by Payton McNabb with 1:36 remaining in the first quarter.
Hiwassee Dam was able to keep the game within striking distance in the first half by playing tough defense, but never got closer than three points. A long two from Taylor cut the Towns County lead to 30-27 with about five minutes remaining in the third quarter, and the Lady Indians answered with an 8-0 run to put the game out of reach. Hiwassee Dam wouldn’t score again until an Olivia McNabb layup with 3:51 remaining.
“The girls’ confidence level has to come into play at some point in time,” Cutshaw said. “They were thinking they missed a few shots, then they start hesitating and start thinking about shooting. They just have to go out there, and relax and shoot.”
Like the boys team, the Lady Eagles traveled to Towns County on Tuesday evening, which took place after this week’s edition of the Cherokee Scout went to press.