Hayfield’s Boys Freshmen team returned to its winning ways, with a 3 point victory over crosstown rival Edison HS. On a night, when the Hawks Boys Varsity was playing at home vs. Edison, the freshmen traveled to Edison HS, for their 4pm battle of the birds (Hawks vs. Eagles). The Hawks used a decisive 4th quarter to defeat the Eagles, outscoring their feathered hosts by 10 (20-10) in the final stanza.

          This game was never easy, with the outcome in doubt much of the afternoon. The Hawks came out of the gates sluggishly, getting down 9-4 early. Coach Lowe then called a quick timeout, which allowed the Hawks to catch their breath. Hayfield then clawed their way back into the game, going up 10-9. The Eagles responded with their own run, finishing the quarter up 4 (14-10). In the 2nd, the outcome looked bleak, as the Hawks wings seemed clipped, going down 10, before soaring to a 18-8 run to close the half. In the third, it seemed as the Hawks, who were laden with fouls (23 total), had lost their mojo. At the end of the 3rd, it seemed as the Eagles might have the upper hand today. The 4th quarter however proved to be the Eagles undoing, as the Hawks raised their intensity level, and their scoring, eclipsing the 20 point mark in a quarter for the first time this season.

          The Hawks were led by freshmen PF Aaron Jeter(16pts, 13rebs), who has quickly become the Hawks go to player. He is averaging a double-double (points and rebounds) on the season, and did not disappoint in this game. He was joined on the low block by newcomer Pierce Pratt (13pts, 3rebs, 3stls, 2assts), who not only chipped in on offense, but also defended Edison’s big man well, limiting him to 7 points. F Romaine Oakley (8pts, 3stls, 1blk) broke out of his shooting slump, connecting on 4 of 5, and had the unenviable task of defending Edison’s best shooter. Hayfield’s starting back court, Xavier Gingras (8pts, 5assts, 3stls) and Elijah Villacorte (9pts, 2rebs, 1stl) also returned to form, combining for 17 pts. Villacorte was also perfect from the charity stripe (4-4), raising his team high FT% to 80%.