On a night when the Ringwood men received their championship lings for a successful 2016 season, it was one of the new guys who stole the show as the Hawks started the season with a workman-like 15 point win over the Werribee Devils.

This season's Hawks team has a very different look about it and, with three key members unavailable for the game, it was new import Jacob Gibson (27 points) who stood up early with some pin-point shooting to settle the team.

A change in defensive focus allowed the Hawks to start to dominate the game in the second quarter. Shaun Clarke (25 points and nine rebounds) found all kinds of room to operate in while Matt Fennell (16 points and 12 rebounds) picked up anything that Clarke missed. By halftime the Hawks had a firm gripon the game with a 15 point lead.

Import Mike McCahey (18 points) looked good for the Hawks in the second half, and showed signs he is capable of dominating the game, while Matt Snowball (eight assists) was his usual efficient self as was Max Sutton who enjoyed his first game with a more prominent role.

But the night belonged to the Arkansas-born Gibson. When the game needed to be won, it was the lean American who stood tall. To make the night sweeter. Gibson's sister Amber had flown in to catch the game. "It was just nice to get the first one out of the way with a win." Gibson said. "It was Inspiring to see the guys get the (championship) rings. we didn't want to let them down."

Meanwhile Ringwood's state championship women scrapped their way to a 62-60 win over the Warrandyte Venom at the Warran­dyte Sports Complex on Sunday. Danni Bone and Tori Jarosz led the way with 16 points apiece.