Hawks Lose But Eyes Firmly On Semi
In their last regular season game, the Ringwood Hawks lost to the Eltham Wildcats on Saturday night, but the Hawks need not panic as they could have already had their focus on the upcoming Semi Final series.
It would have been an interesting week of preparation for the Hawks as they went in to Saturday night’s game in the knowledge that they had secured top spot and home court advantage through the Finals series. For Eltham though it was a very important game as the still battle for a top two finish.
The Hawks started the game well, but the Wildcats edged their way in front late in the first quarter in a game that quickly became physical with plenty of trash talk. Some red hot shooting from the Wildcats quickly had them out by double figures, however the Hawks stayed in the game, but still trailed by 14 points.
The Hawks committed to play all 12 of their players, including rising youth league star Yuot Gai, but still managed to cut slowly in to the Wildcats lead and in the last quarter got within 3 points. With a few of the Hawks starters watching on, the Wildcats closed out the game.
“Eltham are a very tough team and tonight were worthy winners, but our focus tonight was to get the players through the game uninjured.” Hawks Coach Ken Harrington said.
“We have a week off and then will have a Semi Final in a best of three series.
The Hawks managed to play all 12 players significant minutes, but it was Stefan Osborne and Shaun Clarke who made the most if their opportunities scoring 17 points each to lead their team.
Hawks import Jacob Gibson and his Hawks will now sit back and watch the first round of the Big V Playoffs to see who will be their opponent. Gibson though, is well aware that any team in the Playoffs is capable of beating any other.
“We will need to prepare very well and play very well.” He said.
“There is very little between all these Playoffs teams. We must be ready to battle.”
RINGWOOD HAWKS 88 (Clarke 17, Osborne 17, Stone 15, Latham 11, Truman 8, Gibson 6) lost to ELTHAM WILDCATS 96 at The Rings, Ringwood.
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