Hawks Lose Focus; Warriors Win by 7

    Just when it seemed that Hayfield had found a winning formula, their inability to focus down the stretch cost them another victory, falling to the Warriors of Hampton Christian 66-59. The Hawks, who had twice held 7 point leads in the second half, again foundered in the closing minutes, allowing the Warriors to storm back to win. Hampton capitalized on the Hawks mistakes, including Hayfield missing 16 of 25 free throws (36% overall), and not closing out, allowing the Warriors to drain 5 big three pointers in the last 8 minutes, including three straight from pro range, by their star Chase Mann (31pts, 21 in 2^nd half). Hayfield’s own big game player, Aaron Jeter (25pts, 18rebs, 4asts) responded with another monster game, netting 25 for the second time in three games. Jeter, seemingly everywhere when the ball was on the glass, nearly equaled the remainder of his teammates combined.

   Hayfield’s squad has tremendous potential, with several excellent players, but for some reason or another, has not been able to mesh all together at the same time. Jeter has had two incredible games, but they have been wasted in two losses. Hayfield is at its best when all 14 to 15 players are contributing. In fact, in Hayfield’s 7 losses, the bench is only averaging 11.1 pts/game, compared to an average of 28 pts/game in their victories. Balance is their key, and yet balance is quite elusive at this time. Hopefully 2016, will reveal a new and dialed in Hawks varsity basketball team.

  Other contributions included: Sr. center Corey McGhee (8pts, 9rebs, 7stls, 2asts, 2 blks) used his wingspan to constantly disrupt the Warriors offense during the 1^st 3 quarters, amassing 10 deflections, to go along with his two blocks and 7 steals. SG Romaine Oakley (11pts, 4rebs, 3asts) backed up his 17 point effort the previous day, with his 6^th game scoring in double figures. SF Brian Cobbs (8pts, 4rebs, 1ast) continued to shoot at a high level inside three point range, raising his season percentage to 51% (tops among the starters). PF Cam Wilkerson (2pts, 1 rebs), returned from injury to snare his team leading 32^nd offensive rebound (although Jeter is within 3, after amassing 11 offensive rebounds in this game). PG Ja’eon Curetan (2pts, 3asts) made both of his free throws, on an afternoon where it seemed there was a lid on the rim.

Pts. Scored By: Oakley (11), Cobbs (8), Douglas (0), Jeter (25), McGhee (8), Curetan (2), Jones (0), Wilkerson (2), Gaither (dnp), Brox (3), Wheeler (0), Mahmoud (dnp), Miles (dnp), Hamadouche (0), Byers (dnp), Joiner (0), Richardson (dnp)