In a battle of future college players, Kendall Toineeta (#3), Lady Braves senior point guard, gets a shot off over Hayesville’s Amanda Thompson (#20) at Hayesville on Friday, Jan. 30. Toineeta, who made the shot and ended the game with 22 points, is heading to Lenoir-Rhyne University next season and Thompson has committed to Mercer University. (SCOTT MCKIE B.P./One Feather)
By SCOTT MCKIE B.P.
ONE FEATHER STAFF
HAYESVILLE – The Cherokee Lady Braves (17-1) lost their first of the season in a hard fought game at Hayesville on Friday, Jan. 30 as the Lady Yellow Jackets won 73-53. Kendall Toineeta, Lady Braves senior point guard, led Cherokee with 21 points followed by LeLe Lossiah, Lady Braves senior forward, with 12.
“We made too many mistakes,” said Lady Braves head coach Chris Mintz who remained positive despite the loss, “You just have to build from it. You have to learn from every game. Whether you win or lose, you have to learn from it.”
Things started slowly in this game with both teams playing nice defense. Cherokee led 4-2 at the 4:57 mark in the first period. It was back-and-forth for most of the first, and Cherokee took a 19-18 lead into the second period.
Cherokee was able to build a lead in the second extending it to 31-19 midway through. By halftime, it was Cherokee 37 Hayesville 30.
The third period was all Hayesville though as they outscored Cherokee 24-10 to take a seven-point (54-47) lead into the final eight.
The Lady Yellow Jackets scored the first six points of the fourth period to take a 60-47 lead with 5:32 left. They went on to outscore Cherokee 19-6 in the fourth to take the 73-53 win.
Other Cherokee scorers included: Bree Stamper 6, Reagan Barnard 2, Brionna Jumper 2 and Timiyah Brown 10.
Hayesville scorers included: Brice Graves 2, Madison McClure 3, Stephanie Patton 25, Savannah Anderson 2, Amanda Thompson 20, Emma Cox 2, Rebekah Hatherly 6 and Kimonta Lloyd 13.
To view or purchase photos from this game, visit: https://onefeather.smugmug.com/SPORTS/BASKETBALL/LADY-BRAVES-BASKETBALL-201415/At-Hayesville-January-30/i-cNddnF2
