Hayfield Runs Streak to 8; Catch Rebels in 31^st Minute

      The Varsity Boys of Hayfield Secondary may have played their worst game of the season tonight, yet somehow managed to eke out a victory over the Rebels of Fairfax HS. In a battle of two first place teams, the Hawks had just enough at the end, to continue their dominance over the Liberty Conference. In just the second year of this tight conference, the Hawks have only lost once (in 11 regular season games), and that being a one point loss to Madison HS in overtime. The Hawks will be put to the test again, this coming Friday, when they journey to S. Lakes HS, for another “battle of the birds”, when the Hawks tip-off vs. the Sea Hawks.

       Against the Rebels tonight, the Hawks had to dig themselves out of huge hole, at one point trailing 11-1 in the middle of the first quarter. The Boys Varsity had several opportunities, but continued to miss open lay-ups at one end, and were unable to defend the quick starting Rebels at the other, who led 16-6 at the end of 8 minutes. Only one of the Hawks truly had a good game; Tyler Hodge (21pts, 7rebs, 4blks, 2stls), who scored 5 of the Hawks first 6 points. He would resurface throughout the evening, whenever the Hawks needed a big basket or defensive stop. Late in the game, the Hawks were down three, at 58-55, when Hodge came through again, burying a three from the left side, pulling the Hawks even at 58.

     Hayfield had other heroes tonight, including, Muharrim Haque (7pts, 5rebs, 3asts, 2stls), who like most of the others on the team, struggled early. Haque though, did not give up. In the pivotal 4^th quarter, Haque found his range (leading the Hawks with 7 in the quarter), dropping in a three from the left corner, to briefly give the Hawks the lead, at 55-54, and opportunistically put back a clutch lay-in after scrambling for the offensive rebound. Later, Haque swished his 2 free throw attempts, keeping his season percentage at 82% (tops on the team). Hodge and Haque were able to pick up the slack, as the Rebels strived hard to limit C Eliet Donley’s touches. Combined with some spotty officiating, Donley (12pts, 6rebs, 6blks) struggled to find any rhythm. Although struggling throughout the evening, Donley was able to find just enough, to sink the deciding free throw, giving the Hawks their one point win. He also deflected a potential assist to a streaking Rebel, hell bent on winning the game. Though he had trouble getting any momentum offensively, that didn’t stop him from swatting away a season high 6 shots (including two on successive shots by the Rebels big man Roberts, who scored 17pts). In all the Hawks rejected a season high 15 shots, while deflecting some 40 plus passes, dribbles, rebounds, loose balls, etc.

     Other contributions included: PF Dalon Thomas (3pts, 5rebs, 2asts), who was unable to add to his team lead in drawn charges, but hit a key lay up in the fourth. PG Daquan Poindexter (6pts, 4asts, 3stls) nailed two threes on the night, and continued his streak of 4 or more assists for the eighth consecutive game. That gives him 81 on the season. PF Jeremy Jones (5pts, 3rebs, 3blks) came off the bench today, chipping in with three blocks of his own, and connecting on one of the Hawks seven three pointers. SF Kelsey McCrimmon (5pts, 7rebs, 2asts, 1stl) was back in the starting lineup, and helped limit one of the Rebel stars to 2 points all night. PG Kyle Phox (2asts, 1stl) spelled McCrimmon on the same player, and made his night hell, as Phox scrambled all over the floor, never letting his man get open.

Pts. Scored By: Poindexter (6), Phox (0), McCrimmon (5), Hodge (21), Jones (5), Oakley (dnp), Donley (12), Haque (7), Douglas (dnp), Thomas (3), Cobbs (0), Jeter (dnp), McGhee (dnp),