The Hayfield boys basketball team opened its season with a tough section opponent and it prevailed with a 61-57 win over United South Central (0-1 overall) in Hayfield Saturday.

The Vikings (1-0 overall) trailed by 10 early in the second half, but senior guard Bobbie Stephens, who scored 22 points, hit four threes in the second half to lead the comeback.

Hayfield took its first two-possession lead of the game when junior guard Trevor Anderson hit a three to make it 53-48 with six minutes left.

“This was a big win for us, and it wasn’t a game either of us wanted to play this early in the year,” Hayfield head coach Chris Pack said. “But with our experience, I thought it would be to our advantage.”

Hayfield’s defense held USC’s Kyle Bauman, a 6-8 center who has signed with Winona State, to just 11 points in the win.

Hayfield scoring: Bobbie Stephens, 22; Brady Kramer, 13; Cole Kruger, 12; Trevor Anderson, 9; Brady Stevens, 3; Drew Streightiff, 2; free throws: 47 percent (15-for-32)