HAWKS BRING “A” GAME, FALL SHORT IN OT

    The Hayfield Boys Varsity played a truly inspired game yesterday, against their arch nemesis, the Patriots of Yorktown. The Hawks, who have been struggling since reeling off 11 wins in a row earlier this season, avenged their lackluster showing versus Yorktown back in January. This time around, the Hawks came out blazing, with SF Amir Atkins (19pts, 7rebs, 4asts) leading the charge. Atkins was not to be denied, scoring the Hawks first 11 points, setting a tempo and a lead that the Hawks would not relinquish until late in the 4th quarter.     Unfortunately, Atkins was the target of some interesting foul calls, and had to go the bench early in the 2nd quarter. The slack was picked up by SG Tyler Seelman (25pts, 3stls, 2rebs), who was “feeling it” from beyond the arc. Seelman hit a season high of 7 three point field goals, and fell one point shy of his season high.

    Hayfield’s PG Tyler Thornton (8pts, 5asts, 2rebs, 2stls) struggled to find space above the height of the Patriots interior defense, but he made them pay from the FT line (8-9). Thornton was a “thorn” in the Patriots sides all night, as he smothered the Patriots guards with baseline to baseline defense most of the evening. The Hawks also received 20 total points and 19 total rebounds (13 offensive) from their trio of centers. Senior C Richmond Williams (10pts, 8rebs) was very active inside, collecting 7 offensive rebounds, while putting 3 of them back up for scores. Reserve C Dalon Thomas (4pts, 3rebs) chipped in with his signature style of play, which includes getting into the heads of his opponents, and C Montez Wilson (6pts, 8rebs, 3blks) had his most explosive game to date, altering the Patriots shots inside, and leaping high to tip in a would be Hawks missed layup.

    The Hawks had a chance to close out the game, but the Patriots always seemed to make a basket when it was most needed. With under 10 seconds to play, the Patriots were able to travel the length of the court, and hit a driving contested layup, pushing the game into OT. 

    The Hawks (tied for second in the district) will host the Raiders of Stuart HS in the first round of the National District tournament on Tuesday evening. The teams split their two meetings of the year.