Aviators Defeat Hawthorne 44-41

The varsity boys basketball team added another win Tuesday night, beating Hawthorne 44-41 in a contest that was only decided in the waning seconds of the game.

“We got the win, but it was pretty difficult,” said starting point guard, Mike Schroback. “Turnovers and rebounding hurt us.”

Rebounding has been the Aviators’ albatross this season, and Aviators head coach Mike Cebula is not hesitant to point out the need to improve in this area.

“It’s the same story again. We were able to get the win, but against teams like Woodbridge (whom the Aviators will face in the first round of the state tournament), this can’t happen. But we got some shots to fall,” stated Cebula.

Shots were falling aplenty for the Aviators, especially in the first period when Schroback connected on 4 three pointers, giving them a 14-6 lead.

Hot shooting, crisp ball movement, and a suffocating defense enabled the Aviators to jump to a 25-17 lead by halftime. By midway through the third period, the Aviators had built a double -digit lead.

It was at this point, however, that the Bears began muscling their way for second and third chance opportunities, at one point hitting three unanswered baskets which trimmed the margin 38-33 later in the fourth period.

Though the Aviators struggled offensively in the third and fourth periods, it was their turnovers (plus an ill-advised foul and the bucket), which allowed Hawthorne to get within three points with less than two minutes remaining in the the fourth.

The Bears were forced to commit fouls in order to stop the clock, putting Shivkumar, center Boris Plakalovic and forward Joe Crabbe on the line, which allowed the Aviators some extra breathing space.

With two seconds left in the game, fans held a collective breath as the Bears desperation 3 pointer, which would have tied the game, clanged off the side of the rim.

Though the Aviators are playing with a shortened roster, (thereby forcing their starters to log heavier minutes) they are determined not to let fatigue become an obstacle in their quest for victories.

“We have no choice but to come and play every game. That’s it," Cebula stated before the game.

Shivkumar, who led all scorers with 17 points, also hauled in three rebounds; Plakalovic chipped in with 11 points and swatted two shots; forward Mike Pasqualone grabbed five boards and had one block.

Play of the game: In the third period after forcing a turnover, Plakalovic dribbled between two defenders and went up for the one-handed jam.

Next up: Feb. 18 against Saint Mary’s