GATES MILLS — Hawken kept its season alive Tuesday night, edging visiting University 54-51 in overtime of a Division III district semifinal behind timely stops, clutch free throws, and a game-sealing hustle play.
Trailing 51-50 in the extra period, senior Greg Price calmly stepped to the line and knocked down two free throws to give the Hawks the lead. Moments later, freshman Steve Herron chased down a long rebound and quickly dished ahead to sophomore Ice Taylor for a breakaway finish that sealed the win.
“It was about leaving no regrets,” said Hawken head coach Anthony Burns. “I put that on the board, and if Steve doesn’t hustle for that ball, they might get the offensive rebound, and we could have lost. That’s one of those moments where you have to make a winning play, and he did that. He made the right play, and defensively, we got stops. These guys didn’t want to go home, especially on their home floor. They did whatever was needed to win the game.”
Charlie Mallett set the tone early on the glass, scoring on a putback before finishing a Price assist for an early lead. Price capped the opening quarter with a 3-pointer as Hawken carried an 11-9 edge into the second.
Mallett continued his strong night inside with two more baskets in the second quarter, helping the Hawks cling to a 23-21 lead at halftime.
Price opened the third quarter with a layup through traffic and followed it with a deep 3-pointer to push Hawken ahead 30-25. University responded with a run to briefly take the lead, forcing a Hawken timeout.
Out of the break, the Hawks answered with a 7-0 burst fueled by a Taylor finish, a KJ St. Clair 3-pointer, and another Mallett putback. University responded late in the quarter, but Hawken still held a 37-34 advantage heading into the fourth.
The Preppers regained control with three minutes remaining when Tylar Robinson drilled a step-back 3-pointer and added a layup to put University ahead 46-43.
Mallett answered at the rim, and Taylor followed with a floater in the lane to put Hawken back on top 47-46 before the teams battled to a 48-48 tie at the end of regulation.
Price opened overtime with a basket that helped knot the score at 50-50 before his go-ahead free throws in the final minute set up the decisive sequence.
“When we got our numbers called, we knew we had to step up and play hard,” St. Clair said. “We had to step into the roles that were needed, and we played hard and stepped up to the plate. I feel like we all did a good job.”
The postseason often creates unlikely heroes, and Hawken had several. Lewi Walter delivered key defensive stops, Herron provided the late-game hustle play, and St. Clair filled the stat sheet as the Hawks adjusted after forward Daron Hill exited early with an ankle injury.
“We knew we had to step up for Daron,” Taylor said. “He brings a lot to the table for us, and we knew what we were missing. Greg stepped up and guarded up. KJ locked down defensively, too. When it came down to the last possession, we knew we couldn’t give up a three. We had to step up for him because we knew he wanted the win.”
Despite the added intensity between the local rivals in front of a standing-room-only crowd, Hawken knows the job isn’t finished.
“At the end of the day, why do we have goals?” Burns said. “University picked us. They wanted to come here, and they wanted that for a reason. We’re a Final Four team. We know what it tastes like and what it takes. Not every game is going to be a blowout, but championship teams find a way. We cut down two nets last year, and we want that same feeling again.”
Mallett led Hawken with a 17-point, 12-rebound double-double. Price added 16 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and three steals, while Taylor finished with 14 points.
St. Clair contributed three points, three rebounds, and three assists with a steal. Walter added two points and two steals, Herron grabbed three rebounds with two assists and a steal, and Donovan Moorhead chipped in two points.
Hawken will face Ursuline in the Division III Northeast District 2 championship game Saturday at Warren G. Harding High School. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
