GALT, CA (MPG) - The battle at the Hawks' Nest on Feb. 13 showcased the resilience and determination of the Hawks as they mounted a comeback against the visiting Warriors after trailing early in the game.

 From the tip-off, the Warriors were on fire, hitting their shots with precision. By the time 4:37 remaining in the first quarter rolled around, they had jumped out to an 11-0 lead, leaving the Hawks scrambling to find their rhythm. Recognizing the urgency of the moment, Hawk head coach Phil Ricci called a timeout to regroup his team. He urged them not to “just phone it in” and emphasized that they needed to dig deep and give it everything they had.

 That talk ignited a spark in the Hawks. With renewed energy, they began to claw back into the game, narrowing the score to 18-15 by the end of the first quarter.

 The second quarter was a back-and-forth affair, with the Warriors holding a small lead at 20-17 with 5:25 left in the half. However, Hawk sensation Wyatt Blevins began to find his groove, draining basket after basket. By the 3:13 mark, the Hawks had surged ahead 21-20, and they continued to build on that momentum, heading into halftime with a 25-23 lead.

 After the break, the Hawks took charge, determined to defend their newfound advantage. The intensity on the court was palpable as both teams battled fiercely. Entering the fourth quarter, the Hawks were leading 39-33, with fans on the edge of their seats.

In the final stretch, the Hawks held firm, overcoming every challenge posed by the Warriors, ultimately sealing the victory with a final score of 55-43.

It was a standout performance from Wyatt Blevins, who lit up the scoreboard with an impressive 24 points. His ability to find the basket at key moments proved crucial in turning the tide for the Hawks. Elliott Hawker added 15 points to the tally, while JoJo Adams contributed 6. Jimmy Lopez and Conrad Dixon each chipped in 4, and Kobe Aguillen rounded things out with 2 points. 

Post-game, Coach Ricci expressed his admiration for both teams, acknowledging the effort and tenacity displayed throughout the contest. "That was a hard-fought game. No team deserves to lose when two teams play that hard," he said. 

The Hawks secured third place in the league and are now set to advance to the first round of the playoffs, where they will look to build on their momentum and continue their journey towards more victories.