HAWKS KNOCK OFF CANADORE 97-70 TO OPEN NORTHERN EXHIBITION SWING

The Humber Hawks men's basketball team had a dominating victory over the Canadore Panthers Friday evening in their first of two games in North Bay. Coming from a tough exhibition lost to the University of Guelph, the Hawks showed how dominating they can be when fully healthy. The Hawks played tough defence all game, and forced a number of turnovers throughout the game, while also holding the Panthers to only 35% from the field during the game.  

For the Hawks, their offense was poetry in motion. The team's chemistry seems to be growing as the team dished out a total of 27 assist and shot 50% from the field throughout the game. Jerome Gayle, who played in his first preseason game led the way with 19 points. Having the opportunity to play on the perimeter helped the 6'5 veteran showed how versatile his game can be. The Panthers had no answer for the Hawks fast paced offense as they scored 23 points off turnovers. The Hawks showed a lot of promising signs in the preseason as a team who can run the floor and pass the ball extremely well. 

Game Flow: 

The first quarter was ruled by defense. Hawks missed their first 6 three point attempts but their quick hands on the other side of the court helped the maintain the lead as Jerome Gayle hit a three point buzzer to end the first quarter with a  20-12 lead for the Hawks.  

In the second quarter, the Panthers looked like they we're on the verge of making a comeback as they narrowed the lead to 4 points. However, the Hawks fast paced offense helped push back the lead to double digits and maintained a lead for the rest of the game.  

The Hawks came out the half firing on all cylinders and scored 27 points in the third quarter, hitting 5/10 from beyond the yark. Their playmaking and efficiency from the field made the Panthers have no solutions on defense.  

In the fourth quarter the Hawks ran away with the game as the team continued shooting red hot from the field, while also playing lockdown defense. Their quick hands and speed led to many fast break opportunities. It was a commanding victory for the Hawks and they will continue to build off that momentum.  

When asked about how satisfied he was with the team's performance coach Chad Bewley said: 

"As always early with a young team there's some peak and some values. There's some good signs and a lot of potential moving forward. Passing is something we really stress on offense. Not being selfish, playing within the team and letting the ball find you. I think that's something we really improved on today from what we doing in the preseason. We have a good group of guys and I think they're meshing really well."  

When asked about veteran Jerome Gayle's first game of the preseason he said:  

" He really impressed us. He finally had an opportunity to play more on the perimeter and shoot the three ball instead of having his back to the basket. He really flourished in that role today so will see how far he can go this year. 

When asked about his performance tonight and what he hopes to accomplish this year Jerome said:   

"It felt good just being out there with the guys. We played a really good team game. Thankfully my shot was falling today. As a vet I definitely need to lead my young guys in the right direction, and I just want to keep getting better game by game."