Hawks Nest Revives Hayfield, Beat Patriots for First Home Win

    The Boys Varsity of Hayfield Secondary returned home tonight, for the first game in the Hawks Nest since losing to Chantilly in the 6^th game of the season, almost 1 month ago. Home cooking was just what the doctor ordered, as the Hawks turned in one of their better performances of the season, holding the 8-2 Patriots to 52 points, the fewest points allowed by Hayfield this year. Hayfield capitalized upon the presence of  their center; Eliet Donley (18pts, 9rebs, 5asts, 2stls). In just his second game of the season, Donley led the Hawks with 5 assists, as he routinely found open teammates on the perimeter. His presence seemed to take the pressure off of the Hawks three point shooters, as they shot 42.8% (6-14) from beyond the arc, almost double their season average of 24%.

    Hayfield used a three pointer by SF Tyler Hodge (14pts, 5rebs, 3asts) near the end of the 1^st quarter to grab the lead, one that they would not relinquish. The Hawks outscored the Patriots by 8 (19-11) in the 2^nd quarter, a lead which would prove to hold up, over the final 16 minutes. The lead was trimmed to 4 points late in the fourth quarter, as the Hawks missed 5 straight free throws (6 overall in the 4^th), but the Patriots would not inch any closer. Donley snared two consecutive decisive defensive boards in the closing seconds, earning trips to the foul line on each. He converted these last four, to provide the final margin.

    Donley was joined in double figures by Hodge, and SF Kelsey McCrimmon (11pts, 6rebs), who found his touch, shooting 60% (3-5) from downtown, and converting 50% (4-8) overall. Reserve C Jeremy Jones (7pts, 2rebs, 1blk) came off the bench, and immediately contributed on the offensive end, including a sweet 3 ball from the right corner; his first three pointer of the season. PG Kyle Phox (2pts, 3rebs, 1ast) also came off the bench to provide a spark, this one on the defensive end. On one Patriot possession, Phox deflected a would be entry pass, which Donley gathered in, and hit the streaking Phox for a breakaway lay-up. PG Daquan Poindexter (4asts, 2rebs) provided steady ball handling, and played spirited defense on the much larger Patriot guards. PF Dalon Thomas (6pts, 4rebs, 3asts) provided solid interior defense, and gained three trips to the line after either spinning to the basket, or gaining a key offensive rebound. SF Muharrim Haque (2pts, 5rebs, 1chrg) had another solid game, playing excellent interior and perimeter defense, often guarding players 2-3 inches taller than he.

   In the previous 3 victories, the name of the game was moving the ball to the open man. After averaging 20.5 assists/game in those 3 games, the Hawks gained this victory with 19 assists. Once again, the Hawks proved that sharing is not only caring, but a key to victory. The Hawks return to the hardwood, when they host the Majors of Mt. Vernon on Friday night.

Pts. Scored By: Poindexter (0), Phox (2), McCrimmon (11), Hodge (14), Jones (7), Oakley (dnp), Donley (18), Haque (2), Douglas (dnp), Thomas (6), Cobbs (dnp), Jeter (IR), McGhee (dnp),