Hayfield Struggles as Washington-Lee Romps

The Washington-Lee Generals dominated Hayfield Tuesday night, convincingly beating the Hawks 60-35. The net seemed small for the Hawks as the team could not seem to find their rhythm on offense.

Post-game, frustrated Hayfield Coach Ron Palmer said, "I don't know how well they played, I know how bad we played."

Washington-Lee darted out to a fast start, leaving Hayfield overwhelmed early. The Hawks scored only two baskets in the game's opening quarter. The team struggled to score points, under the constant barrage of the Generals' defense.

"I think we were 1-for-14 from the 3-point line, probably shot 27 percent from the field," Palmer said.

Defensively, Hayfield didn't fare much better. Washington-Lee moved the ball with ease, outscoring Hayfield 13-4 in first quarter.

Hayfield's attempt at mounting a comeback in the second quarter fell flat as Washington-Lee carried its first quarter momentum over into the second. At one point in the second quarter, the Generals grabbed six offensive rebounds during one possession. Hayfield's offense was able to generate a little electricity by scoring 12 points, but Washington-Lee's offense exploded for 17 second-quarter points, making the score 30-16 at the half.

Whatever Palmer said to the team in the locker room at halftime had an impact on the Hawks' all-around effort in the third quarter. Despite not scoring until two minutes into the quarter, Hayfield stepped up their efforts on both sides of the ball. The Hawks went on an 8-0 run, seeming ignited by senior Jeffrey Erskine's baskets. During the third, Hayfield got the game to within 11 points.

Defensively, junior Grant Williams turned in an impressive third quarter. Williams was a force up and down the court, menacing the Washington-Lee offense, and crashing the boards. Although the Generals ended the third quarter with a 42-27 lead, Hayfield played their best quarter of the evening.

Washington-Lee continued to cruise in the game's final quarter, despite a great defensive effort by Hayfield senior Donte Johnson, who accounted for a steal and a rebound in the quarter.

The Generals turned their bench free in the final minutes to give some of their reserves some game experience. Frustrated and frazzled, Hayfield's Erskine fouled out of the game with a little less than two minutes remaining in the contest. Emotionally and physically spent, Hayfield folded. As the game came to a close, the Generals prevailed 60-35.

"We didn't play well," Palmer said. "We didn't shoot well. It just sums it up to say they played harder than us, more aggressive, more confident in what they were doing and we weren't. That is the outcome.

"I said it may take until the middle of January, well it's getting close to January. We have to turn it around. We had a good game against Edison, but we regressed quite a bit this game. Washington-Lee did a good job; I give them credit."

Despite the loss, Palmer concluded with a chuckle, "They got us like we got them last year."