Hayfield Continues to Struggle, Drops 5^th game in Conference

      The Boys Varsity started this game, as they have with so many others, with hope for a better outcome. It seemed to be heading the right way, with the visiting Hawks jumping ahead to an early 8-1 lead. Unfortunately, the South Lakes center, Emmanuel Aghayere had other ideas, as the 6’5” sophomore dominated the offensive glass last night, and scored a game high 20 points (including 8 from the FT line). He scored 8 in the first quarter; to almost singlehandedly bring the Sea Hawks back. Even more impressive, was his shot blocking ability, for he either directly or indirectly altered many of the Hawks interior efforts, throughout the evening. In the end, it was too much for the Hawks to counteract, as they fell to 2-5 in conference, 4 games off the conference lead.

    Hayfield was paced by Jr. PG Langston Gaither (16pts, 6rebs, 3asts), who was red-hot early, swishing two of his three triples in the first 8 minutes, leading the Hawks to a three point 1^st quarter lead (19-16). Gaither has steadily gained momentum, playing in only his 4^th game back from injury, scoring in double figures in 3 of his last 4 games (averaging 16.25pts/game during that stretch). He was joined in double figures by Sr. SF Aaron Jeter (11pts, 5rebs, 4asts), who continued his steady play, every night giving the team whatever they need, whether it be rebounds, steals, assists, or points. On this night, it was his first three pointer of the season that helped with the early lead. Later in the game, he continued to battle, deflecting numerous passes, and hitting open teammates with potential assists (team high 4 last night), only to see many of those shots knocked away.

    Unfortunately for Hayfield, after the first quarter, they could muster only 30 more points, while giving up 51. This has been an unfortunate modus operandi for the young Hawks, during their first round through the Liberty Conference. Hayfield now must navigate the second round of play versus their LC opponents. Hopefully, the Hawks can begin to mesh, and win going down the stretch.

    Other contributions included: Sr. C Corey McGhee (2pts, 14 rebs, 2asts), gathered 10 offensive rebounds of his own, often in bunches. Jr. Carrington Brox (8pts, 4rebs) continued to show reason why he should gain more minutes, if not crack the starting line-up, as battled hard on the offensive glass, only to have 2 shots rejected by Aghayere, although Brox was the beneficiary of a goaltending call, the one instance that Aghayere did not get his way. Sr. SG Romaine Oakley (4pts, 2-2 FT’s) was the only Hawk to not miss at least one free throw, on a night when Hayfield missed a whopping 21 chances from the charity stripe. So. SG Brian Cobbs (8pts, 2rebs, 3asts) bounced back from his first scoreless game of this season (vs. Yorktown), although he had to work for every point he made. In the end, the missed opportunities at the line, and difficulties controlling the Sea Hawks in the paint, proved to be the Hawks undoing.

Pts. Scored By: Oakley (4), Cobbs (8), Douglas (0), Jeter (11), McGhee (2), Curetan (0), Jones (0), Wilkerson (0), Gaither (16), Brox (8), Wheeler (0), Mahmoud (dnp), Miles (0), Hamadouche (dnp), Joiner (0)