Both boys and girls Southwest varsity basketball teams have had a great start to the season. The girls team is 7-1 overall (5-0) in league play, after the tournament and the boys team currently has a 6-2 overall record (3-1) in league play after the tournament. 

The boys team was coming off the best start in school history, starting 5-0 before losing to Creighton Prep on Dec. 18, 62-32. The boys fell short to Lincoln Northeast in the semifinal game of the Heartland Athletic Conference (HAC) tournament 65-61. 

“The key factors we like to focus on our team is our aggression, both on defense and offense, we like to get it, try to force as many turnovers as we can,” senior Grant Mielak said. “On offense we like to push the ball in transition and force opponents to try to defend us when we’re at our best. We to try to focus on our communication on court. When we are able to communicate, we are a lot better together as a team.”

The boys took on former Silver Hawk Jared Boher and Pius X Friday night which finished with a hard-fought win 66-64.  On Saturday, they looked to continue their streak facing off against Grand Island, who they had previously beat 68-59. They ended the weekend with a 59-53 win.

The girls also had early success, starting the season 7-0. Coming off the Fremont loss, they were looking to regain their momentum. Likewise, the girls fell short in the semi-final game 69-42 to Fremont.

“Keeping the positive energy is key to our wins,” sophomore Kennedi Williams said. “Just feeding off of each others energy.”

The girls also took on Pius X Friday night and finished with a 49-42 loss. Following the loss, the Hawks took on Grand Island Saturday. They ended with a blowout win 75-11 to move their record to 8-2.

Both Hawk teams are back in action this Friday at Fremont against Fremont. The girls play at 6:00 p.m. and the boys will start shortly after at 7:45 p.m.