Men`s Basketball Wraps Up Successful Season

The men`s Varsity Basketball team finished a fine season with a record of 15-8. After handily defeating neighborhood rival Kirtland thanks to Max Artz`s 20 points in the state tournament sectional finals, they drew the dubious honor of playing Villa Angela - St Joseph High School (VASJ) in the District Semi-Finals. VASJ features All-Ohio guard 6`5" David Lighty, a nationally recruited player who has committed to play for Ohio State next year. The Vikings are also ranked in the top 5 in the state of Ohio, and are favored to return as State Champions in 2006. The Hawks were not in awe of Lighty or VASJ. They came to play, and in fact led the game during the first quarter. The Hawks were well prepared by Coach Shawn MacGregor to defend both Lighty and his talented teammates. Using that tenacious defense, Hawken made VASJ fight for every point to earn a "grind it out" 54-37 victory. The margin of victory was only 4 points per quarter. The three point shots were not falling for Hawken, but they outrebounded the bigger Vikings 34-26. In fact, Tyler Kirsch, Will Gibson, Chris Coulter, and Stewart Roulston all individually outrebounded the talented Lighty. Point guard Kirsch was impressive adding 18 points to his 11 rebounds. Adam Kochy was like a wet blanket when assigned to defend Lighty, giving him fits. The Hawks left their hearts and souls on the gym floor at Lakeland Community College, and could leave the court with their heads held high. A huge crowd of Hawken fans greeted the players as they exited the locker room. They gave the Hawken community another reason to be proud of their fine student athletes.