Alan Samson
Staff writer
A perfect start to the season and the Hawks find themselves at the top of their conference and No. 1 in the nation for NAIA. Is this a path to perfection or a road of redemption after last year’s disappointing loss in the first round of playoffs?
“I hope it is a path to perfection and last year’s ending was a big motivator to these returners,” said head coach Chad Warner.
The Hawks team returns four out of five starters from last year’s squad and this team is rolling through the schedule. They have won both the blowouts as well as the close games so far.
Senior point guard Eric Nix said the key to the early season success is, “the fact that the guys are so selfless and we all know our role. We are playing for each other.”
With only 10 games left in the season and most of the remaining being in conference, the Hawks are setting themselves up to have one of the best seasons in school history if they can win the majority.
The regular season is a great experience but what any team is judged by is how they do in the post season. The tournaments are what teams play for: championships and bragging rights.
“We are more focused and disciplined this year,” Nix said. “The seniors have really stepped up their leadership and we are meshing as a team.”
With this leadership and the new players stepping into their assigned roles, how far this team will go into the playoffs for a conference championship or a national championship is completely reliable on the men on the court.
“It’s our last year to really compete for a title since we move to NCAA DII next season,” said junior forward Dante Harvey. “We have to win a championship one way or another, whether it’s conference, national or both but the time is now.”
The team is on its way to a record-breaking season and will have to wait to see how the end unfolds.
Hawks Remaining Schedule
- Jan. 28 – at Lee*
- Jan. 30 – Truett-McConnell*
- Feb. 2 – at Point
- Feb. 4 – Southern Wesleyan*
- Feb. 9 – Emmanual (Ga.)*
- Feb. 13 – at Southern Poly*
- Feb. 16 – at Brewton Parker*
- Feb. 23 – Lee*
- Feb. 25 – at Truett-McConnell*
* Denotes conference game