Hawks nipped in opener by Lawton, 51-48
The Iowa Park Hawk basketball team began the 2008-09 season Tuesday night at home, losing a six-point lead in the final period and a 51-48 non-conference game to Lawton High.

Lawton outscored Iowa Park 14-11 in the opening period, and extended the lead by one point before intermission, 25-21.

The Hawks came roaring back in the third period, outscoring Lawton 16-10, and held a six-point lead midway through the final period before a rally by the visitors ... and missed free throw attempts by the Hawks ... allowed Lawton to pull ahead for good, with a last-second three-point attempt by the Hawks to force overtime just off the mark.

Matt Rodgers led the Hawks with 10 points, while Bryce Cross added nine, Chase Lawson eight, six each from Richard Smoak and Reid Hayley, five from Lee Clubb, and four from Jesse Harris.

The Hawks made only seven of 17 free throw attempts.

Clubb made one three-point attempt.

“For the most part, I thought we played pretty good,” said Coach Tim Clark. “Some of these kids, it was their first actual varsity experience. Some stepped up. Everyone has improvements to make.

“But for the most part, I was pleased.”

The key to the Hawk loss, said Clark, “...was too many turnovers, and we made a very low percentage of free throws.”

“Close games are won or lost at the free throw line,” he said. “We lost that game because we missed too many free throws.”

The veteran Hawk coach complimented his squad’s effort, despite the loss.

“The effort was there,” he said. “We just have to get everything funneled in the right direction. Long as we keep up that effort, we are going to be ok.

“It was a good foundation to start building on, and get better with each game,” he said. “The more varsity experience we get, the better we are going to get.”

Clark also complimented Rodgers, who finished high-scorer for the Hawks despite being his first varsity game.
“Matt Rodgers played a great game for his first varsity game,” said Clark. “He’s a sophomore, and stepped up and scored 10 points. I’m expecting great things from him this year.”

The Hawks will host Rider Saturday, with a scheduled Friday game being moved to the next day because of the state football playoffs.

The freshmen will play at 9 a.m. in Hawk Gym, followed by the JV at 10:30, and the varsity around noon, according to Clark.

“The varsity could start as early as 11:30,” he noted. “So you might want to get there about that time if you are wanting to watch the varsity game.”

Tuesday, the Hawks will host Henrietta (frosh start at 5 p.m.). The Lady Hawks will host Holliday in the new gym at 6, with the Hawk varsity playing Henrietta at 7:30.

JV GAME
The JV Hawks lost to Lawton 66-26 Tuesday, with Blake Posey pacing Iowa Park with nine points. Jordan Dillard added six, and Corde DeWeese four.

FROSH WIN
The Freshman Hawks defeated Lawton Tuesday 42-40, led by Nieto and Jake Weaver with 11 points each.