The Ellis County Press: Hawks ground Pirates Hawks ground Pirates ================================================================================ Editor on 02/18/2010 16:35:00 Steve Patterson The Ellis County Press RED OAK - Thanks to Mother Nature, the Hawks had to wait about 17 hours before they could play their final home game ever at the current high school gym, but despite some lingering electrical issues from the snow storm at the high school, it was well worth the wait. Although the freshman and JV games were cancelled, the varsity game had enough of everything for Hawks' basketball fans. Prior to the game starting, the varsity players were introduced and escorted by family and friends at center court. After tip-off, everyone turned their thoughts to basketball. Early on the pace was slower than normal and maybe because it was a little darker than normal with several lights out, but around the four minute mark in first period, the Hawks got rolling and boy did they roll. The Pirates did not have an answer through the first two periods and the Hawks seemed to score at will and from anywhere. The Hawks were dropping three point bombs and that only opened the inside game. The Hawks took a 33-16 lead into halftime and looking like this one was in the books. To start the third period, the Hawks watched as the Pirates went on a run and got within 15 points before Coach Foster called a time out to get the Hawks refocused. After a brief motivating talk, the Hawks instantly turned on the switch and never let Pirates get that close again. Senior Earl Graves (#32) was on fire scoring 21 points in the game, with few three point bombs and several fade away 10-12 foot jump shots. Senior's Domonique Bonner (#22) and Gaylon Edwards (#30) entertained the crowd with break-away dunks and layups. Even when the most of the starters were pulled in the fourth period the bench came in as if nothing had changed and added more misery to the Pirates day. In the end, the Hawks sent the current High School gym out in style with a 66-36 win. The Hawks travel to Forney on Tuesday, Feb. 16 to play their final district game. Check the school's Athletic Zone at http://redoakisd.org/athletics for playoff updates. Box score 1 2 3 4 OT Total Mesquite Poteet 10 6 10 10 0 36 Red Oak 18 15 17 16 0 66 Player stats Mesquite Poteet Name Pts Eddie Adudasum 8 Bryton Flint 8 Solomon Eniogu 4 Alfred Lucas 4 Elijah Jackson 3 Donovan Bridgeforth 2 John Coleman 2 Derek Winkley 2 Timothy Zackery 2 James England 1 Red Oak Name Pts Earl Graves 21 Domonique Bonner 17 Gaylon Edwards 13 Claude Person 5 D.J. Brady 3 Brandon Brady 2 Courtney Ellis 2 Branden Hebert 2 Jeremiah Gaines 1