State Boy's Basketball Tournament Quarter-finals -  Hayfield ousted by Petersburg, 59-48.

Final score is not indicative of our Hawks effort (trailed by 4 points with over two minutes remaining and had possession of the ball) against a much taller and deeper team! Congratulations on a terrific season!

(Washington Post article)

(R. to L.) Senior T.J. Wilson guards a much taller opponent, nonetheless, Wilson battled and the Hawks were within striking range of Petersburg.  Junior guard Rayshawn Rigans had another outstanding outing in the Hawks loss vs. Petersburg. Junior Chad Canady (#35) watches as a Petersburg player goes up strong for a first period bucket.    Junior Sean Michael King gets an open look; King had another solid performance. Senior Laurent Newsome sets up a pick for Rigans. Soph. Tayron Gibson attempts to drive around a defended; Gibson playing hurt, was superb on defense forcing Petersburg to commit four offensive fouls. Senior T.J. Wilson rips down a rebound; no one battled and played as hard as Mr. Wilson for the Hawks, a four year varsity letterman. Senior Andre Renner (#30). A Petersburg player finds himself surrounded by Hawks under the basket. Canady bursts past a defender for a lay-up. Newsome gets position under the bucket.  Newsome contributed ten first half points and more than held his own against two taller opponents in the paint. Gibson at the free throw line.

(Above) Chad Canady alongside Brandon Winbush, Tayron Gibson, Seam Michael King and Rayshawn Rigans return with plenty of experience to the Hawks next season.

(Notes:  Congratulations to the Hawks seniors Wilson, Renner, Michael Blochberger and Newsome) on a terrific run this season. Looking ahead, Hayfield will field a very experienced team next season but will have to replace the inside play of Newsome and Wilson, not an easy task. Junior Sean Michael King really stepped up his play during the tournament.  If you think it is exciting to watch Junior Rayshawn Rigans play making as well as his defensive skills, wait until you see him on the football field.... Explosive. The Hawks hit only one three pointer.  All points inside the paint were tough against a tremendously talented Petersburg team. Nonetheless, the Hawks kept hustling and pounding and evening long.  Of interest, Hayfield did not use a single time out in the second half.)

***

Northern Region championship -  Heartbreaking loss for our Hawks vs. T.C. Williams, 59-52!

Game slips away in the final minutes. Chad Canady and Rayshawn Rigans named to all-tournament team. Hayfield travels to Richmond University this coming Friday to play in the State quarter-final game.

(L. to R.) Junior Chad Canady and a TC W player mix it up underneath the boards. Senior T.J. Wilson battled hard on the board all night for the Hawks. Senior Laurent Newsome puts up a short jumper. A Titans player is called for an offensive foul against the Hawks Tayron Gibson; Gibson was visibly hobbled throughout the entire game. Junior Rayshwan Rigans (#24) play was simply outstanding; Rayshawn blows by a defender. Sean Michael King (#42) tightly guards a ball handler.

***

Northern Region Tourney - Hawks defeat Mount Vernon 60-57, advance to Region Finals

In a see-saw contest, Brandon Winbush' three-pointer (click here for Digitalsports videos of this shot and other plays) with 3.2 seconds left in the game, lifts Hayfield over a talented and relentless Majors squad! Yet again, Hawks are sparked by the play of Rayshawn Rigans.

(Washington Post Article)

(L. to R.) Junior Chad Canady drew his third and 4th personal fouls with very early in the third quarter, putting the Hawks in a tough situation. Junior Guard Rayshawn Rigans has elevated his play; in today's game against the Majors he had numerous steals and assists, the biggest one when he found an open Winbush for the game winning bucket in the closing seconds. Sean Michael King, guarding Mt. Vernon player, hit a number of buckets in key situations for the Hawks. Laurent Newsome goes up high to contest a shot; Newsome's physical play in the paint has been a key element in the Hawks resurgence. Soph. Tayron Gibson goes up high for a rebound.  Gibson, hobbled the past few games with a nagging injury, continues to provide the Hawks with excellent play. Junior Brandon Winbush drives past a Major defender. Under the watchful eyes of the Hayfield coaching staff (and team) Senior TJ Wilson connects a free-throw. Kudos to TJ and his hustling and determined play. Winbush is all smiles after his game winner.

***

Surging Hawks charge past Chantilly (71-61), advance to Region Semi-Finals! 

Hayfield overcomes a sluggish start, raucous crowd, injuries and an excellent Charger Squad! Congratulations on a great team effort!

(L. to R.) Laurent Newsome goes up for the tip-off. Junior Chad Canady attempts three-pointer from NBA range in the first quarter.   Senior Laurent Newsome battles Chantilly's formidable center. Junior Brandon Winbush contributed 13 points.  Hawks put pressure on a Charger, causing a turn-over. Junior Sean Michael King drives by two Chantilly defenders for a lay up. Junior guard Rayshawn Rigans was outstanding for the Hawks. Soph. Tayron Gibson is boxed out by a Charger. Gibson at the foul line in the closing moments of the game

Jubilant Hawks and their fans rush the court in celebration.

The Charger's started out fast and were one step ahead of the Hawks, building up a 14-5 lead in the first quarter and appeared well on their way to a convincing victory.  However, Hayfield settled down and managed to close the score to 16-10 at the of the first period.  Chantilly maintained their lead throughout the second quarter but our Hawks fought back to take a 25-24 lead with 14 seconds left in the half. Hayfield expanded the lead to 29-24, as senior Andre Renner connected for a three pointer as the buzzer sounded.  Hayfield would not relinquish the lead and expanded the lead at times to twelve points during the third quarter, however, the Chargers' kept battling, at times closing the gap to five points. Hayfield entered the fourth quarter leading 49-41 and increased their lead to 54-41 with seven minutes left in the game. Each time the Charger's attempted to make a run the Hawks would answer in kind, maintaining a ten to  twelve point lead. Chantilly did cut the lead to seven points (64-57) with less than a minute to play but the Hawks converted a number of free throws down the stretch to secure the win, 71-61. 

(Notes:  There a lot of congratulations to go around for this great team effort but we would be remised if we did not mention the terrific play and leadership of Chad Canady [17 points], who hit a number of clutch three pointers, Rayshawn Rigans' lightning quick play and ball handling skills the confident play of Sean Michael King and Tayron Gibson [14 points].  Kudos to Reggie Tate for stepping up after Laurent Newsome picked up three first half fouls and giving Coach Palmer quality minutes. Senior TJ Wilson had to leave the game midway through the second quarter due to an injury.  TJ did return in the second half providing the Hawks with a great effort.)

***

Northern Region Tourney  -  Hayfield gets defensive, defeats Woodson, 50-42!

Hawks hold Cavaliers to four points in the 4th quarter. Balanced scoring bolsters team's all-around effort against a spirited Cavalier squad.

.

(L. to R.) Tayron Gibson and Rayshawn Rigans double team a Cavalier which resulted in change of possession.. Under the watchful eye of Coach Palmer, Junior GL Cummings applies pressure on a ball handler. In a key play of the game, very early in the fourth quarter, Junior Sean Michael King drives past a Cavalier defender for a lay-up giving the Hawks their first lead in the game (39-38); King was fouled on the play. Laurent Newsome positions himself down low. Chad Canady blows past a defender during the fourth quarter. Rayshawn Rigans brings the ball up court; Rayshawn's tenacity on defense and ability to penetrate the Cavalier's defense were key factors in the Hawks victory. Rigans connects on a free throw. Junior Brandon Winbush exemplified Hayfield's unselfish and determined play.

(Want to see additional photos of daily activities at Hayfield Secondary? Visit Dr. Kinder's work and support of Hayfield Secondary, at Hayfield pictures! )

***