Hawks Find a Way to Win over John Paul II, 37-36
Nic Rivera waiting for an assist from Tyler Pauly for Hawk 3-pointer. (photo by Karen Holmes)
The Hawks Varsity (12-11) won by a Free Throw after a game that neither team had more than a 7 point lead against over John Paul II (15-4), 37-36.
Way to Go Hawks!!
“We found a way to win….but we will take it,” Head Coach Lucas Chapman said.
CL started this game with a quick 9-3 lead but the Guardians would respond with defense that helped keep the Hawks close enough for a battle that would last 4 quarters.
A Nic Rivera 3 pointer at the half-time buzzard would help with some separation in a Hawk 5 point lead going into the mid-point locker rooms, 21-16.
From there a Patrick McAuilffe (12 points) drive to the basket to start the 2nd half would have The Lake with their largest lead of 7 points, 23-15. That lead could have been one more point but a lane violation on that free throw negated that advantage.
John Paul II free throws during the 3rd period would bring this contest back to a one point Hawk lead (27-26) as both teams readied themselves for those last 8 minutes.
JP started the 4th quarter with a 3 pointer for a two-point lead, 27-29 which their rally would continue as the Guardians worked their largest lead (29-34) with 3:38 remaining.
Patrick McAuliffe was difference in win over John Paul II.
A 7-0 run during the next 3 minutes had Canyon Lake with a 2 point lead, 36-34 when a John Paul scored with :20 seconds remaining.
This run was more of a walk to the charity stripe as this would turn into a McAuliffe free throw exhibition after sinking 6 in a row during that span which would keep the Hawks ahead by the slimmest of margins.
“They got on a run and we needed some big shots and Rico (Griffin) was the difference in this game,” McAuliffe said with free abandon. “This was a good bounce back win and it showed what we are capable of if we play within ourselves and stay focused.”
Those 8 made free throws has McAuliffe tied in 4th place with Andrew Riali and Griffin for made free throws in a game.
Made Free Throws for a Game Player Number Game When Parker Mott 11 Wimberley 1.26.19 Brandon Ward 10 Gonzales 1.27.16 Paul Davis 9 Navarro 1.19.13 Parker Mott 9 Fredericksburg 2.02.19 Patrick McAuliffe 8 John Paul II 1.13.20 Andrew Riali 8 Cedar Creek 11.14.13 Rico Griffin 8 Marion 12.08.19
Let’s Go Hawks!!
It would be another trip to the free throw line when Rico Griffin (10 points) would give CL their final lead and win, 37-36 with 7 seconds remaining in the game.
Those last 7 seconds was action packed after JP had three shots on goal before the game ended with no harm done and the Hawks with a win before district play heats up on Friday.
The Hawks will start 28-4A play in Bandera and knowing that they can win ugly games that in the end are still wins.
Way to Go Hawks!!
1 2 3 4 Final John Paul II 9 7 10 10 36 CL Hawks 12 9 6 10 37 3pt tot rebounds fgm-fga fgm-fga ftm-fta pts or-dr tot a s b to Rico Griffin 4-9 0-0 2-4 10 3-6 9 2 3 0 5 Patrick McAuliffe 2-7 0-1 8-8 12 3-2 5 0 0 0 1 Trent MacRoberts 0-2 0-0 0-0 0 0-1 1 0 1 0 0 Tyler Pauly 4-5 0-0 0-2 8 1-1 2 1 2 0 4 Ben Rowe 0-2 0-2 0-0 0 0-1 1 0 0 0 0 Kyle Morris 0-1 0-1 0-0 0 0-2 2 0 1 0 0 Peyton McMullen 0-2 0-2 0-0 0 0-3 3 0 1 2 0 Nic Rivera 2-5 2-4 0-0 6 0-3 3 0 1 1 2 Rylee Spaulding 0-1 0-0 1-2 1 0-1 1 1 0 1 4 Totals 12-34 2-10 11-16 37 7-20 27 4 9 4 16 Percentages 35% 20% 69%
