Back in early December, when Hanover and Lee-Davis faced off for the first time this season, the Confederates were off to a hot start while the Hawks had yet to win a game.  In a close battle throughout, the Hawks defeated Lee-Davis 65-58.

  Friday night’s matchup was a complete reversal of fortunes for the two teams. Hanover nearly put five players in double figures in the first half alone as part of a 96-49 romp of visiting Lee-Davis. Trayvonte scored 15 first half points for the Hawks, Nick Douglas 14 and Justin Peebles 12 while Tyler Shannon and Sam Rogers finished the half with nine each as Hanover led 64-25 at the break.

  The game was a clear indication that the two teams are traveling different paths as the season winds down.

  In December, Hanover had just gained the services of football players Justin Peebles, Donte Haynesworth and Sam Rogers while the Confederates were at full strength. Peebles, Rogers and Haynesworth were at full strength on Friday night while the C-feds were depleted. Lee-Davis starting guard JD Harvey is no longer on the team and backup Chris Kunca did not return in the second half.

  To make matters worse, Lee-Davis was facing a Hanover team that is playing their best of the season and should contend for one of the district’s top spots.

  “We’ve come so far as a team,” Shannon said. “We’re a whole different team from the first time we played Lee-Davis.”

  Teammate Nick Douglas agreed. “We’re more of a family now, just go out and play as a team,” he said. “Earlier we had some problems between each other on the team but now it’s all resolved and just go out and play together as a team.”

  It only took three minutes for everyone to understand that game would quickly be a lopsided affair. Brown (15 points, 5 rebounds) scored off a Lee-Davis turnover then Rogers (13 points) did the same. Brown added two more on a steal and layup then Rogers connected on a jumper. Brown then found Shannon (14 points, 6 rebounds) for a shot and the Hawks led 10-0 a little over two minutes into the contest.

  Brown continues to prove he is one of the region’s most exciting players to watch and Hanover’s most dynamic player in both personality and talent. An example of his lightning speed came in the second half when he was stationed on defense on the right side of the foul lane. Brown detected a Lee-Davis pass headed towards the left time-line and beat the ball there for a deflection.

  Brown proved to be even more dangerous when he was in close to the ball. No possession was safe in his reach.

  “The thing that’s the quickest part, that really amazes me the most, is his hands,” said Hanover head coach Darren Thornton. “Sometimes guys are dribbling the ball and he’ll just take over and start dribbling it for them. I think he’s one of the quickest guards in the region and the state.”

  Even the Lee-Davis big men inside weren’t safe as Brown repeatedly pulled defensive rebounds out of their seemingly secure grip and went right back to the basket. “He’s getting a lot stronger because we are in the weight room, so he’s getting a lot stronger and getting himself prepared for our run,” Thornton said.

  It was nearly three minutes into the game before Austin Rice got Lee-Davis on the scoreboard against the frantic Hawk defense.

  The score did not slow Hanover.

A jumper by Brown was followed by a plus-one field goal from Rogers. When Peebles (18 points, four 3-pointers) connected on a three then a runner the lead was 21-4 with three minutes to play in the first.
  But the Hawks weren’t through.

Brown once again stole the ball and scored, Peebles drilled a three, Rogers scored on a steal and layup and Chris Childress on a put-back to give Hanover 30 points in the first period.

  Saddled with two quick fouls early in the game, it was Douglas’ turn to cut loose for 14 points in the second period alone. The sophomore guard put on a diverse show of skills, connecting on short jumpers, drives to the hoop, a 3-pointer, dishing off assists, pulling down rebounds and getting steals on defense.

  “I was just trying to come out, be aggressive, play together with my team and luckily I’ve got good guys on my team that find me the ball,” he said.

  “He definitely has a complete game,” Thornton said. “One of the things he has worked on is his defense and helping other guys out on defense. But he’s great offensively. He can create off the dribble. He has a jump shot. He can do almost anything with the basketball.”

  The Hawks loose and dynamic style of play often resembled playground ball but it was mere an indication of the depth of talent on Hanover’s team. Whether it was Brown making acrobatic shots on drives to the hoop, Peebles stroking from the parameter or a multitude of bullet passes for assists, every Hawk that hit the floor contributed.

  “We practice it and we play it,” Shannon said.

  “I think we have so many talented ball handlers and guys that can pass the ball that it does look like playground ball but it is set plays and things that we’re running,” Thornton said. “And we do want to run that offense a little more open where those guys can create, Nick, Tre, Tyler, all our guys really can put the ball on the floor and create for one another.”

  For Lee-Davis, Shrevon Clark turned in a solid performance once again with 12 points while Josh Brown led the C-feds with 13 points on three 3-pointers.

  Hanover plays Glen Allen and Maggie Walker early in the week but starting Friday the Hawks get a chance to prove where they stand in the district race. A Friday night matchup at Armstrong is followed by home contests against Highland Springs and Varina.

  “That’s going to be a very pivotal game against Armstrong,” Thornton said. “I think that’s going to decide who gets in that top three on Friday night.

  “We’re going to finish up with three tough opponents so we’re really looking forward that,” Thornton said. “We definitely want to get one of those top three spots in the district so we want to finish up strong and try to make a clean run through these final games.”
 
HANOVER 96, LEE-DAVIS 49
LEE-DAVIS (5-12, 0-6 Capital) — Clark 12,Bolden 2, Autry 4, Brown 13, Tuck 7, Kunca 0, Pearson 3, Rice 8, Stallings 0. Totals 14 1-2 49.
HANOVER (6-11, 5-5) — Brown 15, Wade 10, Haynesworth 0, Peebles 18, King 2, Shannon 14, Arechiga 0, Childress 4, Douglas 16, Harris 4, Rogers 13. Totals 36 13-20 96.
Lee-Davis….......... 11 14 9 15 — 49
Hanover…............ 30 34 18 14 — 96
3-point goals — L: Brown 3; H: Peebles 4, Shannon 2, Harris, Rogers, Douglas.
Highlights— H: Tyler Shannon 6 rebounds, Trayvonte Brown 5 rebounds, Donte Haynesworth 5 rebounds.