Hayfield Jumps on Langley Early, Gains 6^th Straight Win

     The Boys Varsity of Hayfield Secondary executed their defensive game plan to perfection in the opening minutes, which led to an early 12-0 run during the opening minutes of tonight’s game. Hayfield’s Head Coach, Carlos Poindexter diagrammed a defensive strategy, emphasizing that his team create chaos vs. the Saxons of Langley HS. Chaos is what ensued, as the Hawks stole the Saxons first inbound pass, then forced the Saxons to throw the next pass away. Meanwhile, SF Muharrim Haque (10pts, 4rebs, 2asts, 2stls) and SG Tyler Hodge (16pts, 5rebs, 4asts, 3stls) put the Hawks on the scoreboard. Hodge connected from downtown twice, sandwiching Haque’s opening steal and subsequent layup.

      In a blink of an eye, it was 8-0, and the defensive onslaught continued throughout the 1^st quarter, as the Hawks ran out to a 25-5 lead, which included SG Romaine Oakley’s (2pts) last second runner from the left baseline, just leaving his hand before the 1^st quarter buzzer went off. The second quarter however, turned out to be a bit of chaos for the Hawks, as the Saxons deployed a full court press, which harassed the Hawks into making several turnovers during the second 8 minutes. The Saxon’s finally found their inside game, and charged back, with a 12-0 run of their own, to make it a game. By the end of 16 minutes, the Hawks once dominating 20 point cushion, was now a tenuous 13 point lead.

     The third quarter seemed to be more of the second, as the Saxon’s kept chipping away, at one point getting to 39-29. Finally the Hawks defense got rolling again, and they began to find their big man, Eliet Donley (15pts, 8rebs, 5asts, 2blks) on the low block. Donley led the Hawks with 5 assists, gaining three on Hodges three 3 pointers in the 1^st half, and connecting on all 7 of his free throw attempts, which raised his season free throw percentage to a team leading 84%. Hayfield’s other big man, Jeremy Jones (9pts, 5rebs, 2blks), had another solid game. Since entering the starting lineup, Jones is averaging 10.5 pts/game, and 6.25 rebs/game. His highlight came in the third quarter, while on a fast break, Jones rose up on a perfectly executed alley-oop from a streaking Daquan Poindexter (4asts), and threw it down with his left, eliciting a major “oh yeah” from the bench and crowd.

    By the close of the third quarter, order had been reestablished, and the Hawks led by 19. The Saxons again made a small push, but this time the Hawks were ready. At times, the lead went well beyond 20 points, but the Hawks were able to get everyone involved. SF Kelsey McCrimmon (8pts, 5rebs, 1ast, 1stl) led the Hawks in scoring in the 4^th, earning half of Hayfield’s 16 points. McCrimmon converted on several finger rolls, including one where he came down the left alley, and finished with a one handed up and under, “wowing” the crowd.

     Freshman SG Brian Cobbs (6pts, 2rebs, 3asts , 2stls) had his best all-around game, including shooting 3-4 from the field. PF Dalon Thomas (7rebs, 3chrgs) added to his team high for charges (now 25 on the season). PF/C Corey McGhee (2rebs, 2blks) came off the bench, and snagged two defensive boards, and swatted away two would be Saxon buckets. PG Kyle Phox (3pts, 2asts, 2stls) again provided solid on the ball defense, converting his two steals into Hawk scores. PG Will Douglas (1reb, 1ast) showed off his athletic ability, when he soared to deflect a would be fast break pass during the 4^th quarter.

Pts. Scored By: Poindexter (0), Phox (3), McCrimmon (8), Hodge (16), Jones (9), Oakley (2), Donley (15), Haque (10), Douglas (0), Thomas (0), Cobbs (6), Jeter (IR), McGhee (0),