On Saturday, 25 June 2016, the NHA Hawks reported to North Highland Assembly of God's Church Gymnasium to try and turn their team around to its winning ways.  For them to do that, they would have to get pass the scrambling Nets.  Both teams represent the Western Division with the Nets resting at the #1 position.  The Hawks are losing close games and are having a difficult time finding a remedy. 

The starting players for the Nets were:  #21 Keith LaFavor, #32 Willie Walker, #19 Santonio Howard, #45 Lamont Shuford, and #42 Tony Reese.  The starting players for the NHA Hawks were:  #21 Frank Wilcox, #0 Michael Smith, #11 Kenyatta Hardge, #25 Roderick Williams, and #34 Ernest Adams.

The Hawks gained first possession and scored two points from a layup by #34 Ernest Adams.  Ernest came in on a mission and it showed in his performance.  The Nets' Keith LaFavor and Tony Reese were determined to keep the game close with their combination of 11 points to account for 22 of the team's first half points.  Neither team requested a timeout in the first half.  The Nets committed six teams fouls that resulted in four points for the Hawks.  The Nets committed three team fouls that resulted into one point.  The Nets took their first lead with a 3-pointer to lead the Hawks 9 - 7, but the Hawks tied the score with a quick basket.  They would share four lead changes and three tied scores by the end of the first half.  Ernest Adams (#34) led the Hawks with 20 first half points.  Four other Hawks entered the scoring roster with Frank Wilcox scoring on two critical 3-point shots.  The Nets scored on six 3-point shots, but the Hawks were in control to take the first half 41 - 33.

I watched the Hawks enter the second half making three mistakes:  1) Slowing their game down, 2) Inadequate manpower, and 3) Shooting out of character.  I could not believe they changed the pace of their game against a faster team (especially with Lamont "No Answer For Me" Shuford).  Shuford does not guarantee the Nets a victory, but he guarantees the team and their opponents that a serious effort will definitely take place to win.  Ernest Adams had only one personal foul and was froze out of the second half with three points.  Frank Wilcox disappeared from the scoring roster and the rest of the team produced 21 points.  With 9:19 remaining in the game, the Hawks were holding a 47 - 57 lead.  At that point, Lamont Shuford displayed his leadership skills by telling the team that they were in a good place and that the score was not out of reach.  Willie Walker (#32) took heed and went from scoring three points, in the first half, to 20 points in the second half.  Shuford went from five points, in the first half, to 12 points in the second half.  With 2:43, remaining in the game, the Nets had closed the deficit to 59 - 62 and tied the score at 62 - 62 with 1:26 remaining in the game.  The Nets assumed a lead of 64 - 62 with 48 seconds remaining and the Hawks quickly regained a one point lead (65 - 64) with 2.4 seconds remaining.  A foul, by Frank Wilcox (#21), sent Willie Walker to the free throw line for two shots.  Walker made both shots that put the Nets ahead 66 - 65.  That sealed the Nets victory and another heartbreak for the NHA Hawks.

REFLECTION:  The Hawks decision to slow their game down reduced them from 41 first half points to 24 second half points.  That was an old strategy for a different time period.  You have to stick with what is working.

The scorers for the Nets were:  #32 Willie Walker with 23 points, #45 Lamont Shuford with 16 points, #21 Keith LaFavor with 11 points, #42 Tony Reese (ejected and suspended) with 11 points, and #19 Santonio Howard with 5 points. 

The scorers for the NHA Hawks were:  #34 Ernest Adams with 23 points, #11 Kenyatta Hardge with 13 points, #0 Michael Smith with 13 points, #25 Roderick Williams with 10 points, and #21 Frank Wilcox with 6 points.