HAWKEYES TAKE DOWN KATS FOR STATE TITLE

THE MAKING OF

A CHAMPIONSHIP

By LIBBY CUDMORE • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com

BINGHAMTON – Hot on the heels of yesterday’s triple-overtime win against Greenport, the Hawkeyes made their 71-61 championship game against the Middle Early College Kats look easy, seizing a 10-point lead early on and never letting up.

“A game like yesterday can drain you emotionally, but when I got on the bus this morning and saw them I knew they were ready,” said Coach John Lambert.

“The energy from winning yesterday really carried over to today,” said sophomore John Kennedy. The 6-foot-8 team newcomer, who  brought out plenty of cheers from the packed stands.

Though the Kats rallied in the third quarter, they were never able to close the lead. Fancy footwork and defense was the name of the Hawkeyes’ game, relying on elaborate passing to evade the fast and furious Kats, picking up their rebound shots and capitalizing on their fouls.

“It’s all about trust with the passes,” said senior Jack Lambert, who was named the Class-C MVP during the awards ceremony at the end of the game. “We have to be strong with the ball and know the other player is going to be there.”