CANTON–Hawken’s historic postseason trip concluded with a 62-42 Division IV state semifinal loss to Glenville on Saturday at Canton Memorial Fieldhouse.
The Hawks won their first regional title and first district title since 1988 on their journey to the Final Four.
“It’s been unbelievable,” said Hawken head coach Anthony Burns. “It’s a feeling that nobody thought we would feel. We enjoyed this run, and we now know what it takes. I’m happy with how the season turned out, and now we know what it feels like to be in this position. We know what it takes to win. We got a taste of it, and we’re hungry for more.”
The Tarblooders got out to an 8-2 lead, but buckets from Greg Price and Daron Hill cut the deficit down to 12-9 before Glenville ended the quarter on a 6-0.
Hawken opened the second quarter with an 8-2 run thanks to an Ice Taylor floater, and Jordan Johnson scored for a 20-17 deficit, then the Tarblooders capped off the half on a 10-4 run for a 30-21 lead at the break.
Hill scored six-straight points in the early stages of the third to bring the Hawks to within five, but Glenville caught fire on a 13-4 run for a 45-31 lead after three.
Despite cutting the lead to 47-37 with Jacob Stovsky and Taylor’s scores, the Tarblooders closed the game on a 15-5 run to cap off the 20-point win.
Even though it’s only the first state Final Four appearance for the Hawks, with four starters returning, it seems this may only be the beginning.
“I’m excited (for the future),” Burns said. “Our eighth graders haven’t lost in three years. Our 2031 class (sixth grade) is by far the best in the country. If we stay the course and everyone buys into trusting the process, we’ll be hanging banners for a very long time.”
In just his first year as the head coach at Hawken and his third year overall, Coach Burns, who won a state championship as a part of the Richmond Heights coaching staff during the 2021-2022 campaign, has brought in a new standard and culture for the Hawks.
“I’ve learned so much,” Burns said. “It takes hard work, grit, and some kids that want to win. That’s what this team was about, they just wanted to win. I’ve been here before; I’ve told them about my experiences, and all they want to do is experience this. They’ll remember this for the rest of their lives, but there’s also more to come.”
With more to come, and a ‘Want to win’ mentality, the sky is the limit for the future of the program.
“We got a taste of it already, so now we want more,” Burns said. “We’re going to take our 30 days, get back in the gym, and start getting ready for next year. This is just going to fuel the fire for our guys that are returning.”
Hill led the Hawks with 15 points, Taylor pitched in with 10, while Price had seven. Stovsky and Charlie Mallett each had four. Mallett pulled down seven rebounds.
