G/B BB Panhandle Conference

This year our very own Hawks went into their conference play as the 6th seed and the girls went into the tournament as 5th. The boys faced off first against the number 3 seed, Morrill Lions, on Tuesday in Morrill. The Hawks jumped out to an early lead and the Lions never got back on top, even though they gave the Hawks a run for their money in the 4th quarter bringing the score to within 2 at one point in the game. The Hawks didn’t sweat it though as the Lions had to start fouling to try and save the clock; the Hawks shot 84% from the free-throw line. The Lady Hawks on the other hand played the number 6th seed: the Sioux County Warriors. The Hawks stomped them from the get go with a outstanding senior scorer, Whitney Heiting.
Both of the Hawks were guaranteed two more games and a chance at the championship. The boys played the number 2 seed the Sioux County Warriors. The Hawks played a tough game leading until half when with 2 seconds left, the Warriors tied it up at 19-19. Coming out of the locker room the Warriors were determined to win. They took the lead soon, never leading by more than ten though. The Hawks couldn’t regain the lead they had held the whole first half, losing by only seven. The Lady Hawks then played the Morrill Lions. The Lions had stomped the Hawks previously by some 40 points, but that didn’t stop the girls from setting their goals on 3rd placed. The Hawks ran the floor and hit the boards all night taking the lead to 30 points. The Lady Hawks placed third in Panhandle conference.
The boys played the Crawford Rams. Previously in the year the Rams had beat the Hawks by 20 points or so; this time this wasn’t the case. The Hawks jumped out to almost a 20 point lead by half. The Rams didn’t give up though. With 30 seconds left the Hawks were up by 3. The Rams hit a 3-pointer with 17 seconds and then stole the ball for and easy layup, leading by 2 with 3.2 seconds left. The hawks ran the floor and shot the 3 pointer but couldn’t get it to fall; the men placed 4th at Panhandle.