Hayfork boys upset in semifinals

The Hayfork High School Timberjacks boys basketball team jumped off to a quick firstquarter lead and then watched as it slowly dissipated in last Tuesday’s 54-51 upset playoff loss to Mercy High School.

Ricardo Hernandez and Scott Harrison combined for 14 points as the host Hayfork team built an early 21-10 lead. Ryan Gonzalez added 5 points to the Timberjacks’ total and Donald Ferguson scored 2 of the first quarter points.

However, unlike the game they won against Mercy in December by a 62-50 score, the No. 1- seeded Jacks gave up 31 second-half points while only scoring 18 in the Division 6 semifinal loss.

The second quarter was fairly even with Mercy scoring 13 points to Hayfork’s 12 to make the score 33-23 at halftime. Hayfork’s second-quarter points were scored by Ferguson (5), Harrison (4) and Hernandez (3). The third quarter was the Timberjacks downfall as they allowed the Warriors to score 19 while only scoring 8 as the 10- point Hayfork halftime lead disappeared into a 42-41 Mercy lead after three quarters. Two field goals by Donald Ferguson, a basket by Ray Eslick and two free throws by Harrison were all the Timberjacks could manage in the deciding quarter.

A basket by Hernandez to start the fourth quarter gave Hayfork a 43-42 lead but Mercy responded with 5 unanswered points for a 47-43 lead. Free throws by Harrison cut the lead back to 2 points at Mercy 47-Hayfork 45, Mercy answered with two baskets to increase the lead to 51-45 and Hayfork could not recover although baskets by Hernandez and Harrison did cut the lead to 1 at 51-50. Three free throws by Mercy and one by Hayfork made the final score Mercy 54, Timberjacks 51.

Hayfork finishes the season 15-7.