Hawks Weather the Saxon Storm, Reach Conference Finals

      Hayfield’s Varsity Boys Basketball team continued on its quest of a conference championship, by barely defeating the Saxons of Langley HS for the second time this season. In both games, the Saxons had the Hawks on the ropes, but the Hawks have found ways to win in both contests, despite the Saxons best efforts. Tonight, the Hawks seemed to be complacent in the early quarters, perhaps a carryover from the dismantling of the Patriots of Yorktown HS. No matter the cause, the Hawks found themselves in a seesaw battle for the better part of 3 quarters. The Saxons, who have studied the Hawks intensely, employed their trademark 2-3 zone. This time however, the Hawks were prepared, but due to a lack of intensity, were unable to exploit it until the 3^rd and 4^th quarters.

      In their first meeting, the game turned out to be C Eliet Donley’s coming out party. Since that 1^st game vs. Langley, Donley has been on a tear, averaging 16.4pts/game and 9rebs/game in Liberty Conference play. Donley (18pts, 10rebs, 2blks) did not disappoint tonight, although tonight’s game was almost a mirror image, as Donley scored 16 of his game high 18 points, in the second half.

      Reserve PG Daquan Poindexter (6pts, 2asts, 2stls) had a huge impact for the second straight night. Entering the game near the end of the first quarter, Poindexter sparked the Hawks low intensity defense, with the near endless supply he always possesses. That influx of energy sparked the Hawks struggling offense. Poindexter led the Hawks with 6 points in the quarter, by splashing 2 long corner threes, which electrified the crowd and the bench. The Hawks used his scoring to take a 4 point lead into the half.

      In the third, the Hawks seemed poised to widen the lead, but the Saxons suddenly found their outside game. The Saxons began to drop in threes from seemingly everywhere, while the Hawks again lost their focus. For the first time in Liberty Conference action this season, the Hawks trailed after 3 quarters, 40-38. Unfazed, the Hawks regained their composure, quickly scoring 7 straight points to take a 45-40 lead. The Hawks would not fall behind again. Poindexter returned in the 4^th quarter, as the Hawks deployed their ¾ court zone press. He was aided at the top of the defense by SF Amir Atkins (15pts, 4rebs, 2asts, 2stls). Atkins, PF Montez Wilson (8pts, 6rebs, 1stl), and Donley took their game into the teeth of the Saxon defense, overwhelming them in the process. The Hawks again saved their best for last, finally surpassing the 20 point mark in the pivotal 4^th quarter. Combined, the trio scored 19 of the Hawks 23 total 4^th quarter points.

     Notable contributions included: Reserve SF Tyler Hodge (4pts, 2rebs) provided some instant offense in the resurgent 2^nd quarter. SG Phil Guydon (5pts, 4rebs, 3asts) displayed his superior athletic ability, when he converted an up and under reverse (ala “Dr. J”) lay-up, and he snared a season high 4 rebounds.