INCREDIBLE PERFORMANCE DELIVERS HAWKS SIXTH NATIONAL TITLE
The Humber Hawks were crowned National Champions on Saturday night, defeating Vancouver Island University 68-62 in a resilient performance that that perfectly encapsulated what has been an incredible season.
Humber took out Canada's first, second, and fifth seeded teams on consecutive days to take home the programs sixth CCAA Title. It was a deep, talented group that headed to Mohawk this weekend – but what defined the team above all else was an unmatched willingness to win. Starting Thursday afternoon and carrying through until late Saturday night the Hawks consistently sacrificed their bodies and played for one another.
After having led from opening tip to the final whistle for the Championships first two games, the Gold Medal match-up was a different animal. The PACWEST Champions from Vancouver were coming off a gutsy win in the semis over host Mohawk and led by All-Canadian Justin King it became clear early on that they would not be affected by the bright lights.
The first half was a great display of relentlessness from the Hawks. Ontario's stingiest defense showed up strong as ever, holding VIU to a paltry 33.3% from the field, but the other side of the ball was a struggle. The Mariners were playing the passing lanes aggressively and forcing turnovers that were often converted on the break.
Chad Bewley, as he had all throughout the tournament, picked up a stagnant half-court offense with some brilliant passing and a deft shooting touch. Knotted midway through the opening quarter Bewley hit a triple and followed it up with a laser pass on the money to Brayden Gohn for an easy bucket. VIU's King answered back, attacking the rim hard and finishing more often than not. Ten minutes in, the blue and gold held a slim 17-15 lead.
The second quarter was much of the same, as a bullish Humber defense was combined with an inability to convert good looks. The Mariners put Humber at their largest deficit of the Championship when Kadeem Stewart nailed a triple to go up 28-22. The Hawks leaned on their bread and butter, attacking the boards with vigor and making a statement down low. Dickson in particular was killing it on the glass, and a Junior Davis three knotted things at thirty and had the momentum rapidly shifting. As time ran out on the half, Gohn hit a circus runner at the buzzer; 34-34 headed to the final twenty.
The third quarter was back-and-forth, the two teams matching each other blow for blow. VIU continued to get calls in the paint but the Hawks refused to let frustration boil over. Vule Grujic, building on his most impressive stretch of the year, hit consecutive buckets in the paint on pretty moves to put the blue and gold up four. A mini-run from VIU was aided when Dickson took an apparent charge that was called a block, but Davis nailed another massive three to end the run. Headed to the final quarter Humber held a slim 52-49 lead.
It was the final ten minutes that the team's true mettle was on display. The Mariners trimmed the advantage to two, and an apparent hack of Gohn went uncalled. With the clock reading just over three minutes remaining, a midrange jumper tied things up at 60 and the National Championship was anyone's to have. A loose ball appeared to be in reach for VIU but Gibson Eduful did an incredible job walling the ball off and giving Humber possession. With the Title on the line Grujic and Dickson simply wanted it the most. On three consecutive possessions Grujic threw down a two-handed slam, nailed a pair of free-throws, and made a great leaner from the right post. Up four Dickson came down with the rebound of the tournament, fighting over everyone to secure that ball and game. As time ran out it was bedlam on the court as a great group rushed out to celebrate an incredible night.
This is the programs sixth National Title and as special clinching game as Humber has had in a long time. This is a team that will not soon be forgotten, and truly played a brand of basketball that is what the Hawks are all about.
After the game, Vule Grujic was named Tournament MVP; in the Title clincher he was good for 16 points and 6 boards. Tyrone Dickson and Gibson Eduful, the team's heart and soul all season, were named Tournament All-Stars.
