In the first three games of the season, the Little Hawks basketball team leads 4A in point differential per game averaging a 32-point win per game. In the first game, the team beat Burlington 62-27. Following up a tremendous performance the team beat Muscatine 61-26 and Marion 62-38.
“We have felt really good about the start. It has been the start we have been wanting and looking for and this will help momentum for the rest of the season,” Parker Sutherland ‘25 said.
The keys to success for the Little Hawks this season have been outstanding rebounding, defense, and shooting. This season the team ranks fifth in the state in total rebounds with 108 and third in offensive rebounds with 42. The team has 35 steals which ranks them fourth in the state in that category. The team also ranks fourth in the state in three-pointers made this season with 27. As a team, they are currently ranked ninth in the state according to Bound.
“The biggest part of this team is trust. As a team, we all understand that everybody will have their good days and bad days but at the end of the day, we trust each other to do their roles. From Kris’ athleticism and his rebounding to AJ and Davion’s defense to Jameer and Trey’s scoring it all just fits together. It helps to keep our momentum and energy together in the game. We all have the same want to win. We got doubted a lot and we used all this energy to keep us going,” Amir Newell ‘24 said.
Leading the team in points per game and assists per game this season is Trey Wright ‘25 who is averaging 17 points per game and almost four assists per game. Leading the team in rebounds per game is Kris Freeman ‘24 who is averaging 10 rebounds per game.
“I believe both Trey and Kris have made a major jump this season compared to last season. Trey who had significant varsity minutes last year improved in other ways than just his skill set. His leadership has taken our team to higher heights. Kris had some varsity minutes last year but this year the team is relying a lot on him for not only his defense, but his incredible rebounding skills, which has been a big reason for us starting 3-0,” Assistant Coach Fred Newell said.
Big games coming up for the Little Hawks this season are their first away game of the season at Davenport West on Saturday, December 9th. Also, their first rivalry game of the year comes against Liberty on Friday, December 15th.
