Home Cookin’ Just What the Doctor Ordered; Hawks Win!

      Getting back to Hayfield turned out to be just what the Boys Varsity needed to find their swagger and mojo. The Varsity Hawks came out with a defensive focus, that they hadn’t had this season, limiting the Generals of W&L to 10 points in the first 8 minutes. Hayfield jumped out to an early lead, which they did not relinquish, on route to a decisive 10 point victory; their 2^nd in the Liberty Conference (LC).  Hayfield finally found their groove as the Hawks had four players in double figures for the first time this season.

     Defense set the tone early, as the Hawks started out in a full court press, harassing the Generals into several errant passes, and many missed shots. Hayfield finally dominated the defensive glass (25 def. rebs), holding the taller Generals to only 8 offensive rebounds over 32 minutes. They were led by Sr. SF Aaron Jeter (12pts, 12rebs, 4asts, 2stls), who paced the Hawks with 9 defensive boards. Hayfield also amassed 20 plus deflections, leading to 8 steals, and 4 blocked shots. Jr. PG Langston Gaither (22pts, 6rebs, 6asts, 4stls), and So. SG Brian Cobbs (19pts, 6rebs, 4asts, 1stl, 1blk) led the Hawks in the harassment department, deflecting 5 passes each, often redirecting the ball into their possession for easy baskets.

      Gaither has been dynamic since returning from injury, averaging 21.5 points over the past two games, giving the Hawks that scoring balance they had been missing. Cobbs returned to action, scoring 19 points for the third game this season, including shooting 3 for 5 (60%) from downtown. The third time was indeed a charm, as Cobbs and Gaither each scored in double figures for the third game this season; winning for the first time. The friendly confines of the Hawk’s Nest benefitted SG Romaine Oakley (12pts, 3dflctns) who scored all his points on triples, 9 from beyond the arc, and 3 from the stripe. Oakley truly loves the ‘Nest, as he shoots 23% better at home than on the road, converting nearly 40% of his threes at Hayfield, compared to 16% on the road. Hayfield nearly had 5 players score in double figures, as Jr. SF Carrington Brox (8pts, 1reb, 1ast, 1blk) continued his rise up the depth chart, playing excellent trap defense, and adding a highlight reel move, on an impressive offensive rebound tip-in when he soared high above the taller Generals for a key put back bucket in the 2^nd half.

     Other contributions included: Jr. PF Kareem Hamadouche (2pts, 2rebs, 1blk) came off the bench to spell Sr. C Corey McGhee (2pts, 1reb, 1stl), who fell into early foul trouble, as did his principal reserve; Jr. PF Cam Wilkerson (6rebs, 1ast). Sr. PF Will Miles (1reb, 1blk, 2dlfctns) played important minutes down the stretch, as W&L rallied to pull within 5 points. Miles was active at both ends, scrambling for loose balls, boxing out, and blocking a key shot in the closing minutes. So. PG Luke Jones (2rebs), Sr. SG Terrell Wheeler, and Fr. Mike Joiner (1reb) spelled Oakley, Gaither, and Cobbs in the 2^nd quarter, helping the Hawks break the Generals press.

Pts. Scored By: Oakley (12), Cobbs (19), Douglas (dnp), Jeter (12), McGhee (2), Curetan (0), Jones (0), Wilkerson (0), Gaither (22), Brox (8), Wheeler (0), Mahmoud (dnp), Miles (0), Hamadouche (2), Joiner (0)