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It was another weekend filled with basketball at the 71st Luther Invitational Tournament (LIT).
The boys final was a battle between Saskatchewan’s two major cities.
Saskatoon’s Walter Murray Marauders took on the Regina Martin Monarchs and came out victorious, winning 88-73.
The win was extra special for one father and son duo, as it’ll likely be their last LIT tournament together.
Scott and Zach Hawley are no strangers to the basketball court. Zach has been playing basketball basically since he could stand. (Nicole Garn/980 CJME)
Saskatoon’s Zach Hawley helped lead his team to victory. His father Scott Hawley is a teacher at Murray and also one of Zach’s coaches.
“We knew going in, it was going to be a tough, physical game, because that’s how they play and we got to match the energy,” Zach said. “We really came out and did.”
Read more:
- ‘Super excited’: Luther Invitational Tournament begins in Regina
- Saskatoon’s Zach Hawley continues to climb high school basketball ranks
- Walter Murray basketball a family tradition for Scott and Zach Hawley
Zach is only in Grade 11, but has a bright basketball future ahead.
The 6-foot point guard is averaging 34.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, seven assists and almost four steals per game this year.
He plans to play in Calgary with Edge Prep in his senior year.
“(I’m looking to) just expand my journey here in basketball and keep taking steps forward to make sure that I’m getting the eyes that I need to be seen with and improving my game,” he said.
Zach Hawley (centre) is already growing quite the fanbase. (Nicole Garn/980 CJME)
The Semple Gym at Luther College High School was packed for the game, leaving many fans watching from the gym doors.
Zach said there’s nothing like the atmosphere at LIT.
“You’re right there with the fans. The bench is right there,” he said.
“Even when the the other teams are making runs it keeps you amped up. You feel almost tired but never tired, in a sense that you know you’re out there and you got energy from the crowd and your teammates.”
He’s proud of his teammates for coming out victorious, especially after not placing in last year’s LIT.
“I’m really hard on them, and I love these guys a lot. They battled a lot,” Zach said.
Head coach Scott Hawley echoes the words of his son.
“This journey has been a little bit different than last year,” he said. “This year we brought in a lot of new guys. We’ve taught a lot of new things. They’ve really bought in, and now we’re starting to see the payoff.
“We’re becoming a really great team.”
He applauds the LIT for giving the young athletes a moment to shine on the big stage.
“It’s such a great experience for these kids to get to have that kind of big-time feel to it,” he said. “This one and BRIT are the two that really kind of elevate that atmosphere.”
With another big win under their belt, Scott hopes for one last hurrah before his son continues his journey in Calgary.
“We’re looking forward to hopefully taking this run and winning cities and provincials and finishing off strong,” he said.
There were no Saskatchewan teams in the girls finals. The Lethbridge Clippers took the championship game over the Dakota Lancers 81-67.
Regina’s Leboldus Suns took home the bronze title against the Regina Miller Marauders 81-66.
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