The Augustus Hawkins Hawks basketball team (4-2 overall) is a member of two different worlds. The 13-member squad is ranked with Foshay, West Adams and Animo Robinson high schools in the division IV Los Angeles City Section. The Coliseum League is the Hawks second world, playing against Division I Fremont and Dorsey along with Division II Locke High Schools.
Head coach Tamao Kawai has coached for two years. During that time, he has noticed the improvement in returning players.
“They’re buying into the character development that I try to instill in the basketball program,” said Kawai. “I’m really pushing them to be leaders and set a good example for new players”
The non-conference games brought success to the team. However playing against the Dorsey Dons (6-3 overall) in their first conference game on Monday displayed the challenges of being a competitor in the Coliseum League. The Hawks lost 45-72 against the Dons, according to Max Preps.
Junior Dylan Lemle was a key factor in the Hawks’ first away game against the Angelou High school Wolfpack. He scored 23 points and shot at 67 percent from the free throw line. Senior Deandre Luckett and Lemle both handled the boards with 3 rebounds each. Their efforts would score them a 76-42 win over the Wolfpack.
Hawkins first home game was against the Environmental Science High School (ESAT) Grizzlies (2-1 overall), the Hawks routed over ESAT with a 74-33 win. Hawks Senior William Johnson and Lemle dominated the offense with 13 points and 14 points respectively. Senior Dontae Morgan managed the boards with 6 rebounds. Senior Jordan Tatum grabbed 6 assists, Max Preps reports.
“I think we came out with a lot of energy and a little aggressive on the defensive end which helped us produce baskets on the offensive end,” said Kawai.
The Hawks began with the third-annual Harbor Teacher Prep Thanksgiving Tournament. Hawthorne (5-3 overall) and Central City Value also participated. The Hawks defeated their first opponent, the Harbor Teacher Monarchs (4-3 overall) 60-44. Lemle led in scoring with 22 points. Seniors Deandre Luckett and Morgan earned 10 points and 11 points respectively, according to Max Preps.
However, the Hawks lost to the Central City Value Jaguars (11-4 overall) in overtime 59-52. Lemle led in scoring for the Hawks with 18 points. Senior Joel Finney made 31 points for Central City. Junior Christian Finney contributed to the win with a double-double: 17 points and 11 rebounds, according to Maxp Preps.
Before the tournament ended, the Hawks played the Animo Venice Pirates. Morgan led in scoring for the Hawks with 12 points, six other Hawks earned points. Pirate Calder Scarpa earned a double-double: 13 points and 11 rebounds, according to Max Preps.
