Wolverines Overpower Hawks for Xmas Title

    Holding with tradition, the Boys Varsity Hawks had another good holiday tournament, getting to the championship game for the second time in three years. Unfortunately, unlike 2012, the Hawks could not come away with another holiday championship. This time, Hayfield ran into the Wolverines of Westlake HS (Md). Unlike the previous two opponents, Westlake executed their offense well, and converted many of their early trips to the charity stripe. Overall, their interior offensive presence, their superior height advantage at both ends of the floor, and their speed and quickness in the open floor proved too much for the Hawks, who fell 66-51 in the Waldorf Holiday Hoops Classic final.

   The Hawks struggled on this night, to convert from the floor. In the end, the Hawks shot a combined 18-70 (25.7%) from inside and outside the arc. If not for a late rally, when the Hawks sank 3 threes in the final two minutes, the deficit might have been greater. The Hawks were led by SF Tyler Hodge (13pts, 4rebs, 1ast), who was unfortunately saddled with foul trouble throughout much of the 1^st half. He was joined in double figures by SF Kelsey McCrimmon (12pts, 10rebs, 4asts), who achieved his first double double of the season, and hit 3 of the Hawks 7 made three pointers. Ironically, the Hawks did very well on the offensive glass, snaring 25 offensive rebounds overall, but alas many of those rebounds went unfulfilled, as Hayfield struggled all night putting them back in.

    Other contributors included: Jr. PF Will Miles (1reb) made his varsity debut in the waning moments of this contest, and registered the first varsity rebound of his career. Fr. SG Brian Cobbs

(3pts, 1reb) started for the third straight game, and converted a late three pointer from the right corner, during the Hawks late game rally. SF Muharrim Haque (5pts, 6rebs, 4asts, 2stls) had another solid game, and even drew an offensive foul on a Wolverine as he bore down for a dunk.

PG Daquan Poindexter (2pts, 6asts, 1stl) put together a solid three game total of 16 assists, averaging 5.3/game and increased his team lead of 33 (3.67/game) for the season. SG Kyle Phox (4pts, 4rebs, 2stls) again played solid perimeter defense, and twice found holes in the Wolverines interior key for lay-ups. Jr. Romaine Oakley (3pts) came off the bench to nail a left corner three in the second half. Jr.’s Aaron Jeter (3rebs, 1ast, 1stl) and Corey McGhee (2rebs, 1dflctn) provided valuable relief for the starters, and grabbed 5 offensive rebounds between them. The future PG of the Hawks, Will Douglas, also appeared late in the game, giving the fans a glimpse of the what he will bring to the court in the succeeding seasons; solid ball handling and a good court vision.

Pts. Scored By: Poindexter (2), Phox (4), McCrimmon (12), Hodge (13), Jones (2), Biniam (ill), Oakley (3), Donley (IR), Haque (5), Douglas (0), Thomas (7), Cobbs (3), Jeter (0), McGhee (0), Miles (0)