Hawks Clip Eagles Wings, 74-69 in OT

    Hayfield achieved their second victory at the Waldorf Holiday Hoops Classic, to gain a perch in the championship game on Monday, December 29, 2014 vs. Westlake HS (Md). The Boys Varsity nearly played a flawless last 24 minutes, after erasing a 10 point 1^st quarter deficit. Their opponent (the North Point Eagles), while down 10 points at times in the 2^nd half, fought back to force overtime. In the end, the Hawks had too much remaining in the tank for the Eagles, as Hayfield prevailed by 5 in extra time.

    The Hawks regained the lead on a corner three by Romaine Oakley (3pts; 4-7 from downtown in the tourney), deep in the first half, moving ahead by one, at 34-33 over the heralded Eagles of North Point HS. The second half seemed to be all Hayfield, as the Varsity Boys pushed their lead to 10 points (52-42) with 55 seconds remaining the 3^rd, and again at 6:31 in 4^th (57-47). North Point would not go away however, especially playing in front of their fans. The Eagles began to press all over the court, which the Hawks had trouble with at times. By sheer will, and some opportunities from Hawks’ mistakes, the Eagles were able to chip away at the Hawks advantage, tying the score at 65, with 59.6 seconds to play. Neither team was able to execute at the free throw line or in transition in the last seconds. Hayfield had a great chance with 6 seconds remaining, but it was not to be as an Eagle swooped out of nowhere, to knock a potentially game winning lay-up away from SF Kelsey McCrimmon (8pts, 3rebs, 3asts), leaving the game knotted at 66 all.

    The Hawks were paced on Saturday night by SF Tyler Hodge (18pts, 4rebs, 3asts), who had his second straight double digit scoring game (averaging 15pts/game in the tourney). He was joined in double figures by PF Dalon Thomas (11pts, 9rebs, 2asts, 2chrgs), and SG Kyle Phox (10pts, 3asts), who played an excellent two way game throughout. Hayfield also distributed 20 plus assists for the second straight game.

    Other key contributions included: PF/C Jeremy Jones (9pts, 2blks), who made several key baskets during the Hawks rally, and C Corey McGhee (5rebs, 1blk), who made his presence felt against the much larger Eagles in the key. SF Muharrim Haque (6pts, 2rebs, 1ast, 1chrg) defended well against opponents who were 4 to 5 inches taller than he, and weighed 50-80 pounds heavier. Haque was also clutch, nailing a contested 3 pointer early in the game, and one of the clinching free throws in overtime. Freshman SG Brian Cobbs (3pts, 1reb, 1ast) started for the second straight game, providing key minutes at the beginning of each halves. PG Daquan Poindexter (6pts, 5asts, 2stls, 4dflctns) had an excellent all-around game, and contributed to the overtime scoring with a key free throw. SF Aaron Jeter (2rebs, 2asts) contributed with excellent wing defense and snagged two key offensive rebounds.

Pts. Scored By: Poindexter (6), Phox (10), McCrimmon (8), Hodge (18), Jones (9), Biniam (ill), Oakley (3), Donley (IR), Haque (6), Douglas (dnp), Thomas (11), Cobbs (3), Jeter (0), McGhee (0)