Patriots Not Friendly to Hawks

     Hayfield had hoped that an annual trip to a Christmas tournament would be just what the doctor ordered, to get them jump started on their winning ways. In the previous three years under Coach Poindexter’s helm, the Hawks had begun their resurrection during various x-mas tourneys, including winning the Glory Days tourney three years ago (on route to an 11 game win streak), and coming up just short, losing in the championship last season. It was not to be this year, as the struggling Hawks have yet to find their collective mojo.

    On Saturday, the day after Christmas, the Hawks ventured to nearby Mt. Vernon HS, to take part in the Major’s storied holiday classic. The Hawks squared off vs. the Patriots of Friendly HS (Md.). Friendly proved not to live up to their name however, as they clipped the Hawks wings, on their way to defeating Hayfield by 16, 84-68. The loss dropped the Hawks to season worst, 4 games under .500 (2-6).

    While most of the Hawks struggled against Friendly’s up tempo offense, and their in-your-face defense, a few Hawks rose to the challenge. Sr. SF Aaron Jeter (25pts, 7rebs, 3asts) seemed to be the Patriots foil, as he routinely sliced through their perimeter defense, scoring a game and season high of 25 points, including several acrobatic moves in the paint, and converting 7 of 10 trips to the free throw line. Jeter was joined in double figures by Sr. C Corey McGhee (10pts, 7rebs, 2asts, 2stls), who bounced back from a tough shooting game just prior to Christmas break. McGhee also led the Hawks with 5 offensive rebounds. Soph. SG Brian Cobbs (11pts, 4rebs, 1ast) returned to action after missing two game with flu like symptoms. Cobbs has now scored in double figures in four of six games this season.

    This game was also a game of firsts for several Hayfield members, including two temporary varsity Hawks, as Freshman call ups, Jalen Byers (4pts, 1reb), and Michael Joiner (2pts, 1reb, 1ast) saw their first varsity action. Both Byers and Joiner came off the bench and made instant impacts, immediately converting on the offensive end. Another first came from Sr. PF Will Miles (1pt, 2rebs, 3blks), who despite giving up several inches to his opponents, blocked three shots down the stretch, as Hayfield desperately tried to claw their way back into the game. Starting PG Will Douglas (6pts, 2asts, 4stls, 3charges) also had an excellent start (and another first) to the game, as he drew multiple charges for the first time in his varsity career. It was also the first time Hayfield had drawn more than two charges in a game since last season. Jr. PG Ja’eon Curetan (3pts, 1reb) came off the bench, playing with several stitches in his mouth (practice injury), and sank his second three of the season, one of only two (2-22, 9%) made on Saturday, by the Hawks.

 Pts. Scored By: Oakley (2), Cobbs (11), Douglas (6), Jeter (25), McGhee (10), Curetan (3), Jones (0), Wilkerson (0), Gaither (dnp), Brox (2), Wheeler (2), Mahmoud (dnp), Miles (1), Hamadouche (dnp), Byers (4), Joiner (2)