Alec Hayes reaches 1,000 points as Hartsburg-Emden boys defeat Springfield Calvary 58-39

[January 29, 2017]  Alec Hayes plays the game quietly so it was kind of appropriate that he hit his 1,000 point on a Saturday afternoon in front of a small crowd with very little fanfare. The big man for Hartem did it with 5:45 showing on the clock in the first quarter.

After all Hayes only needed that one point to reach the elite milestone so the fans in attendance knew it would be pretty quick. The 6’5 senior simply made a baseline move towards the basket and laid the ball in like he has done many times before in his career. He did watch these points roll through the basket, however, just to make sure before he celebrated.

No celebration though on Alec’s part. He just stepped quietly to the free throw line because he was fouled and waited for the ball. But not that ball. The Calvary player that caught the ball coming through the net knew it was a keeper and he held it for a while until the referee grabbed it and handed it over to the Hartem bench.

A timeout was called so the crowd on hand could applaud as the announcer recognized Hayes’ feat.

Seconds later Hayes was back at the free throw line and it was business as usual. Very typical of the quiet young man who dominates the game but doesn’t really make that much noise by doing so.

Coach Jason Garber agreed, “He is a very quiet kid and a leader by example, type of player.”

Hayes is the big man who can post up and take the ball strong to the basket or he can lurk around the perimeter and shoot the three all day long. He dominates the game without saying a word. Whether it’s hitting the boards pulling down a monster rebound or catching a pass from one of his quick guards and scoring a bucket, Hayes does it all to help his team. He has a lot of versatility for a big man.

And the only time you will see him get verbal and maybe chew on a teammate is when his younger brother Austin enters the game. Austin is a sophomore with not a lot of Varsity experience yet and it’s obvious that the older brother does want him to learn a few things the right way before stepping into his shadow.

Now back to the spotlight and the game. The two points scored by Alec Hayes put Hartem up 4-2 over Springfield Calvary and while the Saints did tie the game back up at 4-4, that was as good as it got for them.

Hayes would close out the first quarter by hitting a couple threes and the Stags lead was a comfortable 18-10 after one quarter of play.

To start the second quarter, Brady Wolpert hit a three and then Antonio Coit-Kirk made a bucket and the Stags were up 23-10. Hayes and Coit-Kirk would combine to score the rest of the second quarter points and by the half the lead was 31-14 in favor of Hartem.

Hartem continued to dominate the contest and took a 45-29 lead into the final eight minutes.

When it was all said and done the final was 58-39 with Hayes and Coit-Kirk combining to score 43 points on the afternoon. Coit-Kirk actually edged out Hayes in the scoring column. Coit-Kirk had 22 points and Hayes finished with 21 points.

After the game Garber commented on the game. “Hayes did a good job finishing around the basket and we were able to find him spots in the offense. Toni had a couple of big games for us at this tournament as well.”

Over the five tournament games both Hayes and Coit-Kirk scored 79 points each.

Hartem also had to deal with a couple of injuries in the tournament. First Alec Hayes rolled an ankle early in the first game of the tournament and he was held to just two points in the opening round. Then on Friday night Brody Baker went limping to the bench in the first quarter with an ankle injury. Baker hopes to be back in action later on this week.

Hartem finished the 2017 Auburn Coaches vs. Cancer Invite with a 3-2 record.

Alec Hayes enters the game sitting on 999 points and makes a move to the basket versus Springfield Calvary Saturday afternoon in Auburn.

Hayes watches to make sure the ball bounces through the net.  Good for points 1000 and 1001.

Alec Hayes steps to the free throw line after getting fouled after the bucket while Derrick Roberts holds onto the ball, making sure it ends up is safe hands.  

Hartsburg-Emden 1000 Point History

Rank	Points	Player
1	1695	Cody Bolen
2	1654	John Harlan Swart
3	1650	Dakin Bolen
4	1610	Ron Harmsen
5	1506	Doug Crane
6	1413	Scott Ubbenga
7	1399	Robert Anderson
8	1325	Mark Briggs
9	1291	Larry Hildebrand
10	1250	Roger Mammen
11	1250	Bill Sampen
12	1146	Kris Klokkenga
13	1091	Gary Conrady
14	1075	Matt Gleason
15	1055	Mark Cross
16	1025	Duane Schleder
17	1020	Alec Hayes
18	1009	Josh Cheek

Hartem (13-9) will host Decatur Christian Tuesday night with the JV set to tip-off at 6 p.m.

Hartem 58

Coit-Kirk 22
Hayes 21
Wolpert 8
Vetter 5
Phillips 2

Springfield Calvary 39

Roberts 12
Kroenlein 11
Dhatnubia 6
Larson 5
Martin 3
Howard 2

[Teena Lowery]