The Blackhawks traveled to Colby on Friday with the Eastern Cloverbelt Championship on the line, needing a win to claim the title. In a close affair against the Hornets, the Blackhawks were able to manage through some foul trouble and win at the end by the 51-47 final score.
In a low scoring first half, Mason Gay got the Hawks going with a drive and finish, followed by a three and putting the Blackhawks even at 5-5. Colin Fritz then hit from deep on an out of bounds play making it 8-5. Both teams traded baskets throughout the half with Gay hitting another three and Sherwood and Poehler hitting big hoops. Gay put the Hawks up with a steal and lay-up by a 19-10 score. The Hawks then went scoreless for six minutes and the Hornets were able to chip at the lead. Gay would hit a pair of free throws to put the Hawks up 21-20 at the half.
Winston Poehler scored on an early drive and Gay did also followed by a Dominic Sherwood free throw, making it 26-21 early. Later, Gay muscled his way for an offensive rebound tying the score at 28. Poehler hit Brett Baehr with a key pass for two and Jack Wendler battled for a rebound and foul for a score. Gay would finally get the lead back with a drive making it 34-33. Another solid drive by Gay and a pair of free throws by Wendler made it 38-35. In the last three and a half minutes of the game the Blackhawks scored all their points on the free throw line with Wendler, Poehler, Wells and Sherwood all making key shots on the line. The Blackhawks' defense was key down the stretch with Baehr, Wendler, Sherwood, and Wells all securing huge rebounds during those stops. The Hawks put the game away finally on the free throw line as Sherwood hit two. The Blackhawks' win secured them a share of the Conference Championship, which was well earned!
The Blackhawks grabbed 42 rebounds on the night and finished with only 13 turnovers while having 15 steals.
Box Score: Gay 25 pts, 6 rebs, 3 stls; Poehler 8 pts, 12 rebs, 2 ast, 3 stls; Sherwood 7 pts, 7 rebs; Wendler 4 pts, 10 rebs, 2 stls; Fritz 3 pts, 2 rebs, 2 stls; Wells 2 pts, 2 rebs; Baehr 2 pts, 3 rebs, 2 stls.
Coach's Comments
Congrats to all of our players for winning the Conference Championship! They earned it with hard work, effort, dedication, and team play. We worked so hard all night and came away with the win. I am so proud of our players and fans.