Battle of Birds One Sided, Hawks Fade in 2^nd Half

    The Battle of the Birds 2014 started off as many of the previous editions had, with a tight back and forth contest. After dispatching the Jaguars of FCHS on Tuesday night, for their first victory of the year, it seemed that Hawks had found their rhythms, especially when SF Kelsey McCrimmon curled to the top of the key, just outside the arc, and buried his first shot of the evening; a much needed three for the Hawks sharpshooting senior. Soon the Hawks were up by 5, and had the opportunity to get a good run going. The Eagles of Edison HS were not fazed however, and sooner than you can say “birds”, it was a tie game. By the end of the 1^st quarter, the Eagles held a slim 1 point lead.

   In the 2^nd quarter, the Hawks fell behind by 9 points, as the Eagles stretched their wings, while on a 8-0 run, only to let the Hawks soar back, outscoring the Eagles 18-10 over the closing minutes of the quarter. It seemed that we were in store for a nip and tuck battle for the next 16 minutes. Unfortunately, the intensity of the evening seemed to wear out the Hawks, while the Eagles were only getting started. Edison finished the 3^rd quarter, up 6 points (53-47), with their best yet to come. In the 4^th, they were the better team, running away with the game while on a 14-2 run, and finished the Hawks off by 22.

   Hayfield was paced by McCrimmon (11pts, 6rebs, 3stls), the only Hawk in double figures. PG Daquan Poindexter (9pts, 3rebs, 2asts, 2stls) had his best scoring game of the young season, including connecting from downtown twice, one of which was from way beyond the arc. SG Kyle Phox (8pts, 1reb, 1ast) had his second straight strong game, averaging 9 pts/game in the last two. SF Tyler Hodge (7pts, 2rebs, 2asts, 2stls) battled foul trouble throughout the game, which hindered the Hawks comeback efforts, and PF/C Dalon Thomas (6pts, 3rebs, 3asts, 1chrg), drew his team high 7^th charge of the season.

Poindexter (9), Phox (8), McCrimmon (11), Hodge (7), Jones (2), Biniam (2), Oakley (3), Donley (IR), Haque (4), Douglas (0), Thomas (6), Cobbs (2), Jeter (1), McGhee (0)