Warhawks Smothering Press Stifles Hawks

      Hayfield’s Boys’ Varsity, playing without 2 key players, were unable to match the defensive intensity, and pinpoint three point shooting of Madison HS last night, as the Hawks fell by 22. Hayfield had few bright spots on this night, where Madison’s smothering press, forced the Hayfield ball handlers into numerous turnovers, whether with errant passes, or losing their dribble to Madison’s vaunted full court press. The Hawks fell to 1-5 for the second straight year. Last year, they rebounded to win the Liberty Conference Championship! Hopefully, the same is in store for this year’s group.

     The Hawks were led by Sr. Aaron Jeter (11pts, 4rbs, 5dflctns), the only Hawk to reach double figures on this night. Jeter played his hardest, but was not able to raise the level of his, or his teammates play to counteract Madison’s offensive ferocity. Jr. PG Will Douglas (6pts, 3rbs, 2asts, 1stl), starting his third straight game, led Hayfield with 8 trips to the free throw line, converting 6 (75%) of those attempts. Jr. PG Ja’eon Curetan (6pts, 2rbs, 2asts, 2stls) played his most meaningful minutes of the young season, when he entered the game late in the 2^nd quarter. Curetan quickly raised the defensive intensity for the Hawks, registering the Hawks first steal of the game. Curetan also made a big splash, as he buried a ½ court heave  Jr. SF Carrington Brox (7pts, 2rbs, 1ast) came off the bench to lead all reserves, scoring 1/3 of the bench points, including a clutch baseline jumper (and one) during Hayfield’s attempted comeback during the early minutes of the 4^th quarter, where Hayfield went on a mini-run of their own, trimming the lead to 17, with 6 minutes to play. Soph PG Luke Jones (4pts, 1ast) gained valuable experience, during that run, and also scored 2 of the Hawks 4^th quarter leading 16 points.

    Other contributions include: Jr. PF Cam Wilkerson (4pts, 8rbs, 2blks) started his first game of his varsity career, and paced the Hawks with 8 total rebounds, including 4 on the offensive glass, which brings his total to a team leading 22 offensive rebounds. Sr. SF Terrell Wheeler (2pts, 1rbs, 1ast) came off the bench to score a one of Hayfield 5 two point field goals during Madison’s pivotal 2^nd quarter. Sr. PF Moh Mahmoud (2pts) entered the game in the 4^th, as Hayfield finally put the brakes on the Warhawks, limiting them to only 15 4^th quarter points (and 26 total 2^nd half points). Sr. SG Romaine Oakley (6 pts, 2rbs) was held under 10 points for only the 2^nd time in the past 6 games, and was limited to 0 made threes for the first time this season. Oakley did convert both his free throws, to raise his average to 75% on the season. Sr. C Corey McGhee (4pts, 4rbs, 1blk) added to his team lead in blocked shots with his 8^th (1.3/ game) of the season.

   Pts. Scored By: Oakley (6), Cobbs (dnp), Douglas (6), Jeter (11), McGhee (4), Curetan (6), Jones (4), Wilkerson (4), Gaither (dnp), Brox (7), Wheeler (2), Mahmoud (2), Miles (0), Hamadouche (0)