Jr A Hawks basketball team puts one in win column

Vincent of the Hawks and Lucas of Piikani preparing for tip-off,
 Randy Whitehead presiding
C. Davis photos and video

Chris Davis

Matthew Halton School's Junior A Hawks basketball team hosted Piikani on Thursday evening, January 23. After a series of losses the Hawks were in need of a win, and this time out they earned one, their first of the season. 

Leading the Hawks' charge was Matthew, who was tenaciously on-target for all 4 quarters. Matthew scored 20 points in the game, with the final quarter being his strongest. Teammate Vincent was right behind him, playing a particularly effective second half and scoring 16 points. Top scorer of the game was Byron of the Piikani team with 24 points. He stole the show repeatedly, accepting court-long passes from Lucas with a regular frequency and then casually putting the ball where it needed to go.

The Hawks displayed more effective teamwork in this game than we've seen previously this season, and that was a major factor in their success. Repeated line violations cost Piikani dearly. Lots of near misses for the Hawks, and as that part of their game improves, as it has been, so will their win ratio. 

Hawk Braden lines up a successful shot.  Piikani's Lennox almost takes it away.

Matthew Bruder scored first for the Hawks with two neatly executed free throws. The Hawks were up 10-5 in the first quarter before Piikani found their groove, but when they did the tide changed for a while. At the end of the quarter Piikani was actually ahead 13-12, with a big boost from Byron with 9 points in the quarter. The second quarter featured lots of back and forth, which was reflected on the scoreboard as first one team and then the other pulled ahead slightly. This was the quarter of near misses for the Hawks. However, they held their own and at the half were ahead 22-21.

That's my kind of game.

Look out, Matthew's coming through

The third quarter was another exhibition of how closely matched two teams with different styles can be. Lots of back and forth. A major 8 point effort by Vincent of the Hawks help propel them to a slightly greater lead, 36-30 at the end of the third, but Piikani had already proven their ability to come back from much greater odds. A 6 point lead really isn't much in basketball. The Hawks really poured it on in the final quarter, sharing the glory with Matthew scoring 8 points, Vincent scoring 4 points, Jack and Ryan scoring 2 points and Braden scoring 1 point for the win. Braden also made some great interceptions which he quickly turned into smart passing plays throughout the game.

Final score Hawks 53, Piikani 39.

I hope I get to see these two teams play each other again this season, they certainly put on a lively show.

Basket for Piikani #13 Jesse