The Cubs Take Down The Jacks

Hayfork basketball teams both faced South Fork in their first home game of the season. The game was not a league game but Hayfork’s teams fought as if it was, keeping their spirits high and teamwork strong. Madison Balbini, one of Hayfork’s girl’s teams’ captains said, “It may have been a loss but we still pulled through and played our best.”

The first half of the girl’s game was intense with a lot of fast moving plays. Hayfork started with the ball after winning the tip off. Alexis Smith, senior, attempted a shot with just 10 seconds left in the first quarter which was returned by South Fork, who made the final shot of the first quarter with just seconds on the clock.

“Playing bigger schools is very tough but we went out there and put up a good fight,” Smith said. “I’m very proud of my team.” Hayfork’s girls’ team showed lots of teamwork throughout the game.

In the second half of the girl’s game the team showed amazing sportsmanship as well as communication, especially between seniors; Madison Balbini and Alexis Smith who worked together throughout the whole game. Smith made 14 rebounds and 22 points throughout the whole game.

Jacey Pickett, sophomore, was always open and ready for the ball. She also showed confidence when in possession of the ball throughout most of the fourth quarter.

“It was a very hard fought game by our Lady Timberjacks,” said Coach Brett Miller. “They battled hard against a good shooting South Fork team. The girls are getting better every game and buying into the offense and defense. We clean some things up and we will be the team to beat in league!” The girl’s game ended with a score of 25 to 44.

The first half of the boy’s game started with a drive by Hayden Carini, senior. The boys played hard against South Fork’s team. Defense was frequent during the first half of the game on both sides. At one point, James Morrison, senior, took a shot that was fouled by South Fork; Morrison made not only his basket but the free throws as well. Morrison said after the game, “Hayfork did swell against South Fork. We have room for improvement; give us a few practices and we will get revenge.”

Later in the first half, Noah Fielding, junior, screened a player from South Fork, opening up a shot for Kegan Xiong, freshman. Xiong later spoke on the game and the height difference between South Fork’s and Hayfork’s teams, “I think as a team we did really well. Even though they were at least 6 feet tall on average, we did really well against South Fork.”

In the second half of the boy’s game, Carini and Fielding both made several rebound shots, bringing up the Jacks, though still behind. Later in the game, Devin Nanez, freshman, caught a rebounded ball and passed it to Troy Hair, sophomore, who made the basket, finishing the third quarter. “Even though we didn’t win, we got something better out of it: knowledge. Now we will get better,” said Dominic Garrison, senior. The boy’s game finished with a score of Hayfork 41 to South Fork’s 63.