The White Hawks boys basketball team took to the road for weekend games near Duluth. It was a great experience for the team. The first opponent was Hermantown on Feb. 16. Westonka started slow and couldn’t stop the Hermantown Hawks, leading to a 15-point halftime deficit. The lead grew past 20 points for Hermantown. A late push by the White Hawks cut it to five points with one minute left to play, but they were unable to capture the lead, losing 83-74.
Next up for the White Hawks was Duluth East on Feb. 17. This game was controlled by the Greyhounds most of the first half, capturing an eight-point halftime lead. The White Hawks would pull ahead, then the Greyhounds would answer. The visitors were down two in the final seconds and, unfortunately, made the tying basket a half second too late, losing 58-56.
Next up for the White Hawks was a rematch against the Hutchinson Tigers on Feb. 20. This game started even with both teams trying to control the tempo, but the Tigers controlled the final few minutes of the half, going into the locker ahead 37-23. The Tigers pulled away early in the second half, taking home an 80-51 victory.
The Jordan Hubmen were the next team to face Westonka at home on Feb. 23. The White Hawks took control early with an 18-3 lead. The Hubmen weren’t done yet, and they inched their way back into the game for a half time lead of 34-29. Jordan came out on fire in the second half and took a 44-32 lead. The tides turned again midway through the second half, and the White Hawks cut the lead and ultimately tied the game and pushed it into overtime. In the four-minute overtime, the White Hawks came out blazing and secured the victory, 76-70. Senior Bryce Tappen led the White Hawks in scoring with 19, followed by junior Max Kraay with 18.
Westonka took off for Boomington Kennedy on Feb. 26, looking for their second win of the week. The White Hawks started off strong, but early foul trouble got in the way in the first half and the momentum turned in favor of the Eagles. Yet the White Hawks took a four-point lead into halftime due to a late 3-pointer by junior George Eberhart.
The White Hawks were down by eight early in the second half, but a barrage of 3-pointers by Tappen (20 points) pulled the White Hawks even with the Eagles. Westonka was ahead by five late, but the Eagles created some havoc defensively, pulling within one point in the final seconds. The White Hawks missed the front end of a 1-and-1 free throw, and luckily the Eagles missed a last second shot. Westonka escaped with a one-point victory, 66-65, over the Eagles.
The White Hawks return to action in their final home game of the season Friday night, March 1, against the Blake School. They will honor their seniors Bryce Tappen, Carter Reinbold and Andy Ensrud.
