Generals Command Game; Hawks Fall by 15

      What a difference a day makes. Just yesterday, the Hawks were reveling in their dismantling of McLean HS. They arrived at W&L expecting to continue that type of dominance, in the midst of a 3 game winning streak, their first multiple game streak of the 2015-2016 season. It seemed that they were peaking at the right time. Unfortunately the Generals of W&L had other plans, which included avenging their earlier 10 point loss to the Hawks.

     Hayfield definitely seemed unfocused and tired from 4 games in 6 days, for they had little energy, even in warmups. Things got considerably worse in the first quarter, although they were able to stay close. The Generals revved up their long range game,  converting three of four from beyond the arc, to take a 4 point lead after 8 minutes (19-15). Hayfield did step up their “D” in the second stanza, preventing the Generals anymore three balls during that time frame. Unfortunately Hayfield never really found any rhythm offensively, missing 35 total shots, including 11 of 12 from downtown. This loss of focus, and intensity may come back to bite the Hawks, who seemed on the verge of setting themselves up well for the conference seeding’s. Now comes their personal gauntlet, Yorktown, Langley, and South Lakes, three teams that have been Hayfield’s foil of late.

     The Hawks were paced by their Mr. Consistency, Sr. Aaron Jeter (16pts, 8rebs, 5dflctns). Jeter, no matter how his team plays around him or the score, is always on the go, battling with every bit of energy he has, to rally his squad to victory. Jeter is seemingly always around the ball, especially on the defensive glass, leading Hayfield with 81 defensive rebounds (21 more than the next closest teammate). So. SG Brian Cobbs (8pts, 8rebs, 5asts), joined Jeter with 8 rebounds, and led Hayfield with 5 assists, raising his season total to 37 (second only to Jeter, who has 43). Jr. Langston Gaither (9pts, 6rebs, 1stl) was clearly bothered by a sore ankle, picked up in the McLean game, but still competed every time down the court. Gaither with his 6 rebs, joined Jeter at 7.0 rebounds per game, to lead Hayfield.

    Other contributions included: So. PG Luke Jones (7pts, 2rebs, 1ast) started his third straight game, and is converting 33% of his three balls over that game span. Sr. C Corey McGhee (6pts, 5rebs, 3stls, 2blks) came off the bench to make all of his shot attempts, and increased his team lead in blocked shots to 25 (1.3/game) on the season. Sr. SG Terrell Wheeler (2pts, 1blk) came off the bench to provide spirited defense, in Hayfield’s attempt to get back in it, in the second half. Sr. SG Romaine Oakley (4pts, 2asts) added to his season assist total, joining McGhee with 26 (4^th on the team). Jr. PF Cam Wilkerson (2pts, 1reb), came on late to grab an offensive rebound (his 40^th, placing him third on the team). Jr. C Kareem Hamadouche (2pts, 3rebs) saw more mid game action, and raised his shooting percentage to 65%.

    Hayfield takes a much needed day off on Friday, and will return to practice on Saturday, to prepare for the last week of the regular season, and to hopefully begin a new three game win streak to close the season on Tuesday at Yorktown!

Pts. Scored By: Oakley (4), Cobbs (8), Douglas (0), Jeter (16), McGhee (6), Curetan (0), Jones (7), Wilkerson (2), Gaither (9), Brox (0), Wheeler (2), Mahmoud (dnp), Miles (dnp), Hamadouche (2), Joiner (0)