Week of Snow Awakens Hayfield; Hawks Defeat Warhawks by 2!

      After 8 days without practice, Hayfield came in early (8am) to get loose for their second conference game vs. Madison HS. The Warhawks had throttled the Hawks back in early December, so Hayfield knew they had to bounce back and defend their honor and the Hawks Nest at all costs. By 2pm today, Hayfield had done just that, handing Madison only their second loss (68-66) in conference, behind the spirited play of two of Hayfield’s best players: Jr. PG Langston Gaither, and Sr. SF Aaron Jeter. Each player raised their level of play at the same time, something that Hayfield had not experienced yet this season. Today however, they did!

     Langston Gaither (29pts, 13rebs) reestablished his Hayfield career high, topping his previous total by 7 points. Gaither saved his best for last, nailing a critical three pointer down the stretch, helping Hayfield to hang onto their third conference win. Aaron Jeter (16pts, 11rebs, 4asts), who several times this year, had been Hayfield’s only scorer, did not have to shoulder the entire load today. He found the range from downtown again today, converting his 2^nd three of the season, as well as knifing through the Warhawks interior defense for key lay-ups throughout the game. These two performances were coupled with So. SG Brian Cobbs (13pts, 5rebs, 2asts) who topped double figures for the 9^th time this season, and converted a key lay-up in the closing minutes of today’s game.

     This win was vital for Hayfield, who is one game into the second half of their season. They have dug a hole, but if today shows anything, the Hawks have more than enough fire power to mount their resurgence, and win their remaining 6 games, to finish at .500. Hopefully this is the case, and this game will be the catalyst for Hayfield to soar their highest over the next two weeks!

     Other contributions included: Sr. SG Romaine Oakley (2pts), made his two technical free throws, raising his FT% to 78% (second on the team). Jr. PG Will Douglas (4asts, 1stl) brought his assist total up to 20, giving Hayfield 6 different players with over 20 assists. Sr. C Corey McGhee (2pts, 3rebs, 2asts) raised his assist total to 25, joining Cobbs for second on the team, trailing only Jeter (who paces the Hawks with 39 for the season). So. PG Luke Jones (1reb, 1ast) saw meaningful minutes in both halves, spelling Douglas and Gaither at the point. Jr. SF Carrington Brox (4pts, 2rebs, 1ast) started today, although foul trouble limited his minutes. Brox did return in the 4^th quarter to convert a needed baseline drive and bucket, helping Hayfield preserve their 2 point victory. Sr. SG Terrell Wheeler (2pts, 2rebs, 1ast) brought his defensive game during the 2^nd and 3^rd quarters, when Hayfield limited Madison to 22 points during that 16 minute stretch. Fr. Michael Joiner (1reb), saw action today, entering the game in the 2^nd to assist Hayfield with their full court press. Sr. PF Will Miles (1stl, 1blk) recorded Hayfield’s only block of the day, rejecting a potential an’ one possession for the Warhawks! That block brought Miles’ total to 5, second only to McGhee.

Pts. Scored By: Oakley (2), Cobbs (13), Douglas (0), Jeter (16), McGhee (2), Curetan (dnp), Jones (0), Wilkerson (dnp), Gaither (29), Brox (4), Wheeler (2), Mahmoud (dnp), Miles (0), Hamadouche (dnp), Joiner (0)