Harding Athletic Highlights 2/21-2/25

The varsity boys basketball team came into the HVAC tournament as the number one seed and they did not disappoint on Monday, February 14. After the first round bye, the Hawks met the USN Tigers in the semifinals. From the jump ball to the end of the game, the defensive pressure smothered USN. The final score was 60-32 in favor of the Hawks. The team had ten players get into the scoring column. Sam Bowers led all scorers with 22 points. Thomas Hicks had 10 points, Quinn Taylor pumped in 8 points, and Van Roberts scored 7 points in the win. Chase Embry ran the offense and led the defense with ball pressure for the entire game. It was the most complete game by the entire team all season.

On Wednesday, February 16 the Hawks played in the HVAC finals against the Panthers from FRA. During the regular season, the Hawks beat the Panthers 40-32. This game was no different and it was a hard fought battle from the start. At the end of the first quarter, Harding led FRA 8-2. The Panthers hit two big three pointers in the second quarter. Going into the half, the Hawks were up 15-13. In the third quarter, the score went back and forth and at the end of three, the Hawks were up 24-19. The defensive effort continued to be on display by both teams throughout the fourth quarter. However, the free throw shooting of the Hawks sealed the first ever HVAC Division A Championship for Harding Academy. The final score was 29-23. Sam Bowers led all scorers with 12 points. Thomas Hicks hit a huge three pointer in the third quarter and sank two huge free throws in the fourth quarter to finish with 8 points. As a coaching staff, we are so proud of these boys. They came together as a team and never looked back. This team created memories last will last a lifetime and the schools first ever HVAC boys basketball championship in the process.
Go Hawks!