CHAGRIN FALLS—Hawken used a 16-4 second-quarter run to pull away from host Chagrin Falls, 65-46, in the Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division opener for both teams on Saturday.
The Hawks, who improved to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in league play, led by 19 points at halftime and protected that lead in the second half.
“Can you replicate it,” said Hawken coach Josh Nugent about his halftime message. “Can you bring it for 16 more minutes?”
Hawken did just that, putting up 28 second-half points to close out the victory.
Sophomore guard Daron Hill led the Hawks with 16 points on 5-of-9 shooting with a pair of 3-pointers.
David Dettelbach added 13 points as he shot 50 percent from the floor.
Greg Price and Taj Caver also scored in double figures for the Hawks with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
“It was really cool to see tonight the way we shared the ball,” Nugent said. “Scoring can come from anywhere.”
Hawken’s performance indicated the Hawks are growing and jelling as a team.
“The guys are starting to trust each other,” Nugent said. “They were getting it to the right guy and trust that they were going to make the right play.”
Despite the loss, the young Tigers played a competitive game.
“I thought we sustained our competitiveness for four quarters tonight,” said Chagrin Falls head coach Dave Bargar. “We just keep getting better executing our offense.”
The Tigers showed glimpses of what they are capable of once they gain more experience and play with the consistency their coach seeks.
“I thought at times we showed what we could do,” Bargar said. “We had some back door cuts for easy baskets, we swung the ball around and got some open threes. That was a good sign. We just (have to) keep building on those things.”
Ryan Curtiss and Brad Russell each scored 12 points to lead the Tiger offense. Curtiss finished 5-of-9 shooting while Russell ended his night 4-of-8 from downtown.
Despite the 0-3 start, Bargar knows how to turn the season around.
“Our job (as coaches) is to give them the knowledge and the confidence so that they can compete and be successful,” Bargar said.
Chagrin Falls returns to action on Wednesday when the Tigers visit West Geauga. Hawken will look for its third straight win when it hosts Beachwood on Wednesday.
