Streak Stops As Hawks Get Humbled
You have to go all the way back to the 25th June 2017 to find the last time that the Ringwood Hawks lost a BigV game. That all changed on Saturday night though, as the Hawks 12 game winning streak came to an end at the hands of a hungry McKinnon Cougars by 7 points.
The first quarter was the problem for the Hawks who looked lethargic from tip off and the Cougars quickly took advantage. The deficit grew and grew on the Hawks and at quarter time they trailed by 11.
The second quarter saw the Hawks start to find some touch at the offensive end of the court but their defensive commitment was still questionable. For the first time in a long time, the Hawks seemed to try to win the game as individuals instead of the team first mentality that has driven them to back to back championships.
“Things did not go well for us early and things changed.” Hawks Coach Ken Harrington said.
“Instead of a we not me attitude it became what about me. We can’t win with that mindset”
Finally the Hawks found some team work in the third quarter on the back of some great shooting from Jacob Gibson (34 points) and Matt Fennell (18 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists). The Hawks grinded their way back and with 2 minutes left in the game actually had a shot to tie the game. The shot missed and the Cougars escaped with the win.
The Hawks did not have to wait long to have a chance to redeem themselves as on Sunday they faced another tough challenge in the Hawthorn Magic.
Right from the tip off it was plain to see that the Hawks had made some major adjustments in the attitude department. The ball moved freely and Jacob Gibson (20 points) and Scottie Stone (16 points) enjoyed some good open scoring opportunities.
The Hawks grabbed the lead early and never surrendered it. Any time the Magic looked like making a run it was Matt Snowball (12 assists) who found a red hot Matt Fennell (30 points and 7 rebounds) to keep the Hawks steady as they cruised to a 14 point win. The Hawks are now 3 wins and 1 loss.
Next Sunday the Hawks will return to the Rings Stadium and face the Corio Bay Stingrays. Game time is 2pm.
RINGWOOD HAWKS 91 (Gibson 34, Fennell 18, Stone 15, Clarke 13) lost to McKINNON COUGARS 98 at GESAC Bentleigh.
RINGWOOD HAWKS 98 (Fennell 30, Gibson 20, Stone 16, Clarke 11) defeated HAWTHORN MAGIC 84 at the Rings Ringwood. Watch a replay of the game here.
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