More Than Just A Game

Around Town

Mar 7

I have said it so many times growing up, and now as an adult, I know it. Sports has always been more than a game, and this weekend in a town that 95% of America has never heard of, it became more.

It became four quarters to leave all the stress and worries behind. It became something to focus on where there were no talks of war, no arguments over politics, no Covid-19 tallying, no discussion of who stood where on religious and world topics; it simply became more.

Where and how does such a place exist, you may be wondering? It was a Saturday in the small town of Hayesville, North Carolina. Of course, you usually don't find a town so small on any map, but speaking for most locals, we are okay with that. We love our small town, but more than anything, we love the only school that resides here, and it was a big day for this school.

The Hayesville High School Yellow Jackets Boys Basketball team headed to the Final Four on Saturday. The only thing on everyone's mind was supporting the black and gold and cheering them on to a State Championship appearance.

That's the power and importance of sports. Sports can bridge gaps, bring people together, and provide opportunities unavailable elsewhere for young student-athletes. In addition, sports can shut out the world, and for the Hayesville Yellow Jackets and their faithful fans, it did just that.

**These ladies are all smiles headed to cheer for their Yellow Jackets**

The team loaded up with a game plan for victory, fans boarded charter buses with excitement in their hearts, and friends carpooled together filled with school pride. Parents and loved ones joined in the convoy, all headed to the same location with love for the young men they took to countless practices and camps, and watched as they dealt with Covid-19. Yet, this Saturday, they were standing firm, undefeated, and uniting a community in a way only sports can.

This community put their differences aside to yell and cheer loudly together to support the team, a feat that otherwise might not be possible. There is perhaps nothing more encouraging for these young men than seeing a united town decorated with black and gold, a gymnasium filled with chanting classmates, parents, and locals all rooting for you, helping create memories they will never forget.

**A beautiful jumper from Jake McTaggart who finished the game with 32 points.**

“All the successful teams I’ve ever seen have three characteristics: they play unselfish, they play together, and they play hard.”
― Larry Brown

This weekend sports did what sports has always done…. In a time when people find it hard to come together and often struggle to see anything positive, a small town boys basketball team became more; they became a light in the darkness. They showed us that standing together is possible, even when the world tries to keep us apart.

That's why sports matter and will forever be more than just a game.

**Senior Kolbe Ashe, the focus of a box-and-one defense, continued his leadership finding gaps in the zone and dishing off to open teammates**.

“The two ingredients in basketball success are playing hard and playing intelligently.”
― Pete Carroll

Congratulations to the Hayesville High School Boys Basketball team on winning and advancing to the State Championship. Your school, town, and fans are incredibly proud of the accomplishments on the court, but for each individual in the stands and watching from home, you gave us so much more!

Thank you for being the reminder of what we can accomplish when we all play, stand, and support one another. Well done young men, well done.