Hawks Win over Titans; Finally!

For the first time in over 4 years, the JV Boys Hawks swooped to a big win over their arch nemesis; TC Williams. The Hawks set the tone early, soaring out to a 8-0 lead, paced by junior point guard Brandyn Marshall, who scored the first 5 points, with two baskets in the paint, and adding a free throw. The Titans stormed back, rallying to take a 9-8 lead. The Hawks and Titans then jockeyed back and forth throughout most of the rest of the first half. Coach Poindexter called a key timeout, with under 30 seconds left in the first half, setting up Tyler Seelman, who scored the first points of his Hawks career, with a key 3 point field goal immediately following the timeout. The Hawks went into halftime, with a slim 3 point lead.

When play resumed in the second half, it looked like TC was about to dash the Hawks hopes of a opening night win. Coach Poindexter expertly inserted a quintet of players who immediately stepped up the defensive intensity, led by sophomore guard Ben Kim. Ben seemed to be everywhere during the pivotal thrid quarter, when Hayfield outscored TC 22-16. He was grabbing looseballs, diving on the floor, snatching rebounds, and connecting on 4 big baskets. Equally impressive was new comer Sam Angeli, who in three successive offensive sets, nailed three straight 3 pointers. Sam also helped out inside, grabbing 4 key rebounds down the stretch. In the final quarter, both teams seemed wornout by the frantic third quarter. Freshman center Garrick Short, rebounded with determination, grabbing 6 defensive rebounds during the fourth quarter, limiting the Titans scoring chances. He also hit 3 key free throws down the stretch.

Other notable performances were turned in by: Nate McShay, a transfer from South County, who added 8 points and 8 rebounds in his Hawks debut, and Barry Coleman, whose excellent ballhandling during the second and third quarters helped keep the Hawks offense running. He also added a key steal and basket, stifling a Titans run. Sophomore Desston Haskins went 2-2 from the charity stripe. A big part of the defensive intensity of the third quarter came from sophomore Anthony Wilson. Giving up several inches guarding the center of the Titans, Wilson held his own, snatching 4 rebounds and making 1 steal. Sophomore center Isaiah Glasby also saw siginificant minutes, adding a key block, and securing 3 rebounds.