McCrimmon Propels Hawks past Patriots for 13^th Straight Win

      Senior Kelsey McCrimmon has saved his best for last.  The Sr. Swing Forward has dominated the last two games, averaging more than twice his season average, and leading his team to the conference finals for the second straight season.  The Hawks faced another tough opponent tonight, tipping off against the Patriots from Yorktown HS. While last game vs. McLean was close for a while, this game seemed destined to go down to the wire. That’s where McCrimmon (19pts, 9rebs, 3blks, 1stl) took over. McCrimmon was extremely active at both ends of the floor, tying for the team high of 6 defensive rebounds, and rejecting 3 Patriots shots to boot. Offensively, he was both effective in the paint, and on the line, where he converted all 8 of his attempts, twice being sent there after being fouled on 3 point attempts.  His presence at both ends of the floor finally started the Hawks engine, and they dispatched the Patriots, holding them to 34 points (the lowest amount scored against the Hawks this season).

     This game in many ways was just how Yorktown wanted it; a slow paced, wear you down with their vaunted flex offense type of game, and at first Hayfield played right into it. The Patriots scored the first 4 points, directly due to their offense, which allowed them to get easy baskets. Then, Hayfield responded, when C Eliet Donley (8pts, 8rebs, 4asts, 1blk) got into the action. First Donley scored on a sweet baseline move, and then on the next possession, found SG Tyler Hodge (9pts, 8rebs, 3asts) for a wide open “3” from the top. It seemed that Hayfield had found their rhythm, yet they would only score 3 more points that quarter. The second quarter was better, as the Hawks doubled their first quarter score, to take a 4 point lead at the half.

     Although better, the Hawks never really got it going in the second half, save McCrimmon. Hayfield Secondary, (which for just the 3^rd time this season, had only one player in double figures), could not seem to get anyone else going, try as they might. It didn’t really matter though, for their defense stifled the Patriots, led by PG’s Daquan Poindexter (4pts, 3stls) and Kyle Phox (5 rebs, 3stls) who tallied 3 steals apiece, thwarting many Yorktown fast breaks, and limiting their opponent to only 14 second half points.

    Other contributions included: SF Muharrim Haque (2pts, 3rebs, 1ast) worked very hard all night, scoring his basket on the offensive glass, a place he has been very active all season (58 on the season). PF Dalon Thomas (1pt, 3rebs, 3asts, 1 charge) drew his 32nd charge on the season, adding to his season record. PF/C Jeremy Jones (2pts, 3rebs) went 2 for 2 tonight from the line, upping his season percentage to 75% (3^rd on the team).  So. call-up, PF Cameron Wilkerson (2pts), has now scored in both if his varsity games.

    The Hawks will venture (Tuesday, February 24, 2015) to Fairfax HS, to battle Fairfax HS for the Liberty Conference Title. Hayfield is returning to the site of last season’s heartbreaking one point loss. The Hawks hope to extend their 13 game win streak to 14, and capture their first Liberty Conference crown.

Pts. Scored By: Poindexter (4), Phox (0), McCrimmon (19), Hodge (9), Jones (2), Oakley (0), Donley (8), Haque (2), Douglas (0), Thomas (1), Cobbs (0), Jeter (0), McGhee (1), Wheeler (0), Wilkerson (2)