By: Brandon Tretter
The Hawks’ provincial playoff run came up just short. Humber lost the gold medal game, falling 86-70, to their GTA rivals the Sheridan Bruins.
Humber will have to rebound quickly, as the National playoffs get underway next Thursday, March 14.
The rest of the playoff run was a very successful one for Humber, as they won handily in their three previous playoff matchups.
Quarter-Finals
Humber breezed through the quarter finals, quickly taming the Georgian Grizzlies 88-61. Kevin Otoo led the way for the Hawks, dropping 17 points off the bench on 6/7 shooting.
This one was over early, as the Hawks held the Grizzlies to a measly five points in the first quarter. Otoo would actually outscore the Grizzlies on his own, as he dropped 10 in the quarter. The Hawks’ defence slipped up in the second quarter as the Georgian added another 10 points. Going into the half Humber led 44-15.
The Grizzlies clawed their way back into the game in the second half, but it would be too little too late and Humber soared into a semi-final matchup.
Semi-Finals
The semi’s were an even bigger rout for the Hawks. Humber demolished the Niagara Knights 94-47 to book their place in the provincial final.
Humber came out of the gates flying, dropping 28 points in the first quarter to lead Niagara 28-10. The Hawks would take a 45-26 lead into the break and never look back.
Jaylan Morgan went off for the Hawks, leading the way with 29 points on 14 shots. He was perfect from the land of beyond, going three for three from three-point land.
Finals
Ultimately, Humber lost a heartbreaker to their rivals just down the QEW, the Sheridan Bruins. The Hawks will be going home with a silver medal.
The final was a tale of two halves, as Humber cameout of the gates strong, and the two teams went into the half tied at 35. The Bruins overwhelmed the Hawks in the second half, posting 26 points in the third quarter and 25 in the fourth, to close out the game 86-70.
Kahleek Bakari-Whyte put up his second straight 20 point performance against the Hawks. Leading all scorers with 20 on 9/16 shooting, Bakari-Whyte also grabbed 9 boards in the Bruins’.
For the Hawks, inefficient shooting was their downfall as they would shoot just 31% from the field. Fowzi Mohamoud led the hawks with 13 points, shooting 4/11 in 22 minutes of action.
Mohamoud says the hawks are looking to rebound from this loss, and “focus up and lock-in” heading into the national tournament.
Hawks standouts, Jaylan Morgan and Kevin Otoo, were announced to the All-Tournament team, for their standout performances throughout the playoffs.
Nationals
It’s not all bad for the Hawks, however, as they will be off to Langley, B.C., to compete in the CCAA National tournament. Humber will play their first game Thursday March 14, when they look to slow down the Vanier Cheetahs from Montreal.
Mohamoud says the Hawks are looking at the “bigger picture” and are leaving the loss to Sheridan behind them, going into the national tournament.
The team’s new motto: “Rings over banners.”
Tip off will be at 4 p.m EST.
