Hawks knock off Devils, Cats

Knocking down shots and knocking off opponents.

The Thompson Falls Blue Hawk boys notched two more wins last week, overwhelming Noxon 68-34 in Thompson Falls last Tuesday (Jan. 21) and moving past Clark 64-48, also in Thompson Falls, Thursday.

The Hawks, after having Thursday’s scheduled game at Troy switched to Tuesday (and results were not available), have only one non-conference game this week, at Anaconda Saturday.

Originally from Philipsburg (only 30 miles away from Anaconda), Hawk coach Jake Mickelson knows what it’s like to play in Anaconda’s infamous gym, which is nicknamed the Snake Pit in honor of the team’s Copperhead nickname.

“It’s been remodeled recently but it’s still the Snake Pit and it will be fun for the kids to have a chance to play there,” Mickelson said. “And Anaconda is a good team that likes to put up the threes. We look for a good game with them.”

Regarding last week’s wins over Noxon and Clark Fork, Mickelson said the Hawks continue to show steady improvement.

“We are still getting all our working parts figured out,” he said, “and are getting closer to where we want to be every week.”

Nathan Schraeder scored a season-high 20 points in leading the Hawks past Noxon, in addition to grabbing eight rebounds and six steals, and passing out five assists. Sidney Akinde and Ryan Schraeder added 12 points each, Cody Burk 10, Jack Green six, Brad Lantz four and Ethan Brown and Trevor Harris two apiece.

Burk cleared a team-high 11 rebounds, Schraeder six and Brown five, Brown added four assists and Ryan Schraeder three, and Akinde, Ryan Schraeder and Brown four steals each.

Against Clark Fork, Akinde scored 20 points to lead the Hawks, Nathan Schraeder and Justin Morgan added 11 apiece, Burk 10, Brown six, Green four, Trey Fisher two and Ryan Schraeder one.

Burk reached double-double status again with 12 rebounds in addition to blocking two shots, Akinde and Fisher speared seven rebounds each, Morgan had four assists, and Akinde, Nathan Schraeder, Morgan and Green two steals apiece.

Danner Haskins scored 19 points and Aaron Waddle 14 for Clark Fork.