We see it sometimes in district tournaments–two teams meet with one having won both regular season matchups, only to be figured out the third time around by the other. The Edison Eagles were not about to let that happen to them last night at the hands of the Hayfield Hawks.
Behind a combined 34 points from guards Toni McCrae (18) and Sarah Chawki (16), the Eagles weathered several furious comeback attempts from Hayfield to capture the National District crown, 59-51.
“We haven’t won it since 2019. So that’s what makes this really special. Five freshmen, four sophomores who are learning how to compete with some really good teams, and I feel like we earned this tonight because we worked. We just worked,” said Edison Coach Dianne Lewis.
The Eagles (21-3) only led by two after the first quarter, but opened the second on an 11-2 run to take a seven-point lead into halftime. They led by four going into the last quarter. Each time the Hawks crept closer, the Eagles got a bucket, free throw, or defensive answer from McCrae or Chawki to swing the momentum back their way.
Edison had won both regular season matchups with the Hawks by nine, and entered the postseason with a flawless record in-district. Hayfield kept it close the majority of the game though, tying it twice in the third quarter and getting as close as one with just over a minute to play. It was free throws and tight defense in the final minutes that sealed the win.
Edison sophomore post Ayomiposi Fakulujo stepped up as all-district junior Aani Akins fouled out in the fourth quarter with 10 points, three boards, and two steals. Fakulujo, who saw time even before Akins exited the game, finished with six points, did a good job rebounding, and hit a couple of free throws down the stretch as the Eagles iced the win.
“She just came in and fought. She had that fight in her, and I’m so proud of her,” said Lewis of Fakulujo.
Hayfield (12-8) had one of its all-district players taken away in the fourth as well, as senior guard Ayana Gillen fouled out with 16 points on the night to lead her team. Kristina Ta, another all-district honoree, added 10. Hayfield will participate in the 6C Regional Tournament next week.
Edison will enter the 6C Regional Tournament as well as a top seed. Lewis expressed confidence in her team because of the resiliency she saw last night.
“They will fight for it. So whether we go down fighting, or we stay in the fight, I saw a battle-tested team. And they were ready.”
–Max Nagle
@MaxWritesHoops
The Lady Hawks were good, but the Eagles were better!! I’m a friend of the Chawki family and have followed Sarah every since she started playing sports. She has always been good as an individual and as a team player so I knew if the others had the same mindset and abilities like sarah has, they were be on top. Hooray for the Eagles. I’ll be there in the Regionals. I’m a dedicated fan and cheerleader!!!