Alexandria, VA- Behind inspired play in front of a packed house in "The Garden," the T.C. Williams Titans (12-2, 4-1 in Patriot District) upset the #1 ranked team in the state of Virginia, the Hayfield Hawks (12-1, 3-1). The Titans held off a furious Hawk rally in the fourth quarter to finish off an emotional 48-42 win. The game was a defensive struggle with neither team giving an inch. The Patriot District rivals were flying all over the court for every loose ball, taking charges, and blocking shots all over the gym.

Hayfield put the Titans on their heels early and silenced the crowd by jumping out to a quick 10-2 lead, the finishing touches of the run came on this 3 pointer by Hayfield point guard Russell Lee (8 points). As the first quarter clock expired Jeffrey Banks (12 points) nailed a three pointer that cut the Hayfield lead to 14-9 and got the Titan crowd back into the game.

The Titans kept the momentum from Banks shot going into the second quarter. Guard Jason Ingram (12 points) blocked a shot and went coast to coast finishing with this nifty lay-in cutting the Hayfield lead to 14-13 just a minute into the second. With three minutes left in the half and the Hawks leading 23-22 the Titans went on a 7-0 run that was capped off by this Banks lay-up in the open floor. The 23-22 score was the last time the previously undefeated Hawks would see the lead. As the first half clock wound down Hayfield's Lee dribbled to the corner and dropped a huge three cutting the Titan lead to 3 at 29-26 going into the locker room.

The Titans stormed out of locker room like a team on a mission. Fueled by an enthusiastic crowd the Titans scored 14 of the next 16 points in taking a 43-28 lead. The run was highlighted by this powerful Darian Townes dunk. Ingram snuck out of the crowd and converted this lay-up to cap the run giving the Titans their biggest lead at 43-28 with a minute left in the third quarter. Hayfield's Gus Acheampong (6 points) scored as the third period buzzer rang making the score 43-30.

T.C. pushed the lead back to 15 at 45-30 on their first possession of the fourth quarter and "The Garden" fans could almost feel the victory. But the Hawks were undefeated and ranked #1 for a reason. Showing a champion's heart the Hawks scored the games next 10 points and cut the Titan lead to 45-40 with 3 minutes left. 8 of the Hawk points were scored by Power Forward Darren Stackhouse (15 points, 13 rebounds) who was battling inside and getting to the foul line almost at will. With the lead cut to five both teams picked up the defensive intensity and nothing came easy down the stretch. The Hawks had their chances but couldn't get any of their last minute 3 point attempts to fall. Darian Townes and Jason Ingram came up with huge rebounds and knocked down foul shots to seal the deal.

The Titans celebrated the 48-42 win but everyone in attendance knows that this war is far but over. The two Northern Region and Patriot District favorites will face each other at least once more. Don't be surprised to see these two basketball powerhouses in the District, Regional and State play-off picture by the end of the 2001 season.