Hawks Stumble to 4^th Loss in 5 games

      The Hayfield Boys’ Varsity Basketball thought their troubles were behind them, and for most of Friday’s game vs. South County, another fierce rival, they were. Then late in the third quarter, up by 9 (40-31), their focus began to wane. South County, trimming the lead to 5 after 24 minutes, continued their steady climb toward victory, tying the game with under a minute.  The Stallions had a side line inbounds play with about 8 seconds, which the Hawks initially defended well, but then had a defensive breakdown, allowing the Stallions to score with 2 seconds left, off of a perfect ball screen. Hayfield’s last ditch effort to win the game was blocked, to seal the Stallions second straight victory over the Hawks.

     Hayfield’s offense, while good in spurts, never really got going, only averaged 12.5 points per quarter, with a high of 22 in the third quarter. It seemed that the third quarter would net the Hawks their second home victory in a row, but then their wings were clipped by the Stallions, as they were outscored 21-10 over the last 12 minutes of the ball game. Hayfield was paced by Soph. SG Brian Cobbs (13pts, 4rebs), who is quickly becoming one of Hayfield’s most consistent scorers, reaching double figures for the 4^th straight game. Cobbs has a rare ability to be equally effective down low, and on the perimeter. He can overwhelm guards tasked to defend him on the block, and he can create his own shot from outside. Twice during this game, he broke his man down with the dribble, only to pull up and drain a mid-range jumper. Cobbs was joined in double figures by Sr. SG Romaine Oakley (11pts, 4rebs, 2asts), who drained 3 of the Hawks four shots from beyond the arc. Oakley also had his season high with 4 defensive rebounds, tying for the Hawks game high.

    Another bright spot, was the emergence of Jr. PG Will Douglas (8pts, 3rebs, 3asts, 2stls, 5dflcts), who started for the second straight game, and really grew into the role, of a penetrating point guard, with defensive intensity. Douglas, giving up several inches to the Stallions 6’1” point guard, harassed him and the other Stallions dribblers continuously throughout the evening, whether deflecting passes away, or stealing them outright. Douglas also thrilled the home crowd with several nifty baskets in traffic, including a high arcing tear drop, which elicited a huge response by the Hawks Nest!

   Other contributions included: Sr. SF Aaron Jeter (5pts, 6rebs, 1blk) was his normal active self on the boards, tying for 2^nd on the team with 4 defensive rebounds. Jr. PG Ja’eon Curetan came into the game in the 1^st half to provide harassing defense, while Soph. PG Luke Jones (2pts) converted his lone shot attempt, running the break for an easy layup. Sr. Will Miles also entered the game in the 1^st half to energize the offense, and helped with his pinpoint passing, also holding his own defensively, effectively boxing out bigger opponents. Jr. SF Carrington Brox (2pts, 2rebs), hit both his free throw attempts, and did what he does best, grab offensive rebounds, cleaning the offensive glass for 2 of the Hawks 14! Jr. PF Cam Wilkerson (2pts, 5rebs) spelled McGhee at times, and the two players combined for 10pts, and 12rebs at the center position. 

     Sr. C Corey McGhee (8pts, 7rebs, 2stls, 2blks) was able to stay out of foul trouble for the 1^st time this season, and had one of his best all-around games.  McGhee had a monster block, which became a dubious foul call, as the shooter fell over out of bounds well past McGhee. Additionally, McGhee almost put the game into overtime, when he caught the blocked three with .5 seconds remaining, and then swished the potentially game equaling basket, only to have the referees say “no basket”!

Pts. Scored By: Oakley (11), Cobbs (13), Douglas (8), Jeter (5), McGhee (8), Curetan (0), Jones (2), Wilkerson (1), Gaither (dnp), Brox (2), Wheeler (0), Mahmoud (dnp), Miles (0), Hamadouche (0)