Hawks Shock Mt. Vernon, Grab Second Win On The Season

The Hayfield Hawks took to the road Friday evening to face the Mount Vernon Majors. The Hawks turned in one of their season’s most impressive outings, shocking the Majors 65-52 en route to their second win of the season.

“We did a lot of good things; there’s a light at the end of the tunnel,” joked Hayfield head coach Ron Palmer after Friday’s victory.

Hayfield’s season thus far has been a disappointment to say the least. Before Friday, a struggling Hawk outfit hadn’t experienced a victory in over a month. Their last victory came against Garfield High on December 4, 2010. After an 11-game losing streak, the Hawks did the improbable by grabbing a road win against seven-win Mount Vernon High School.

Three Hawks scored in double digits in the victory. Jeff Erskine (15), Nate McShay (13), and Tyler Seelman (12) all contributed with effective efforts. Erskine’s play on the evening resonated well with Palmer, who remarked on Erskine’s role on the team’s offense, “Jeff finally started to play like a guard.”

Hayfield started the evening slow, something the team has struggled with for most of the season. “We started out slow, we were sluggish, we just weren’t playing well,” remarked Palmer after the contest.

Mount Vernon capitalized on the Hawks’ slow start, grabbing an eight-point lead at the end of the first quarter.

Despite trailing 16-8 to start the second quarter, Hayfield was determined not to let the game get away from them like they had done for most of the season. Led by Erskine, the Hawks would erupt for 21 second-quarter points. At the end of the first half, the Hawks led 29-27. The team could have extended the lead even more, but failed to convert three missed lay-up opportunities.

Hayfield’s defense was the story of the third quarter, as it limited the Majors to only seven points. Giving great support to the defensive effort, the Hayfield offense scored 12 points. While not as explosive of a quarter as the first two, Hayfield protected their lead and gained even more separation from the Majors. As the third quarter came to a close, Hayfield led 41-34.

The game’s fourth quarter was arguably the Hawks’ best quarter they’ve played all season. The team would score 24 fourth-quarter points, the most points the team has scored in a quarter all season long.

Not resigned to just play keep away, the Hawks kept their foot on Mount Vernon’s throat, not easing up until the final second ticked off of the scoreboard. As the buzzer sounded, signaling the end of the game, Hayfield emerged victorious, winning their second game of the season 65-52.

Following the game, Palmer talked about the team’s turnaround during the contest, “Mid-way through the first quarter, we started to play like the team I envisioned for the season. We managed to handle their press and got the big guys involved. We had very good board play by Donte Johnson, Garrick Short, and Nate McShay. We made a couple of three’s and found ourselves in front.”

Hayfield will have the chance to win again on January 18 as the Hawks host Jeb Stuart. Stuart is 1-12 on the year, and desperate for their second win.