By Ethan Guo, Staff Writer
At the halfway point in the season, the River Hill Men’s basketball team finds itself exactly where it wants to be. Sitting at a record of 5-5, they’ve shown steady improvement as they move deeper into the year, highlighted by their impressive wins that reflect both depth and grit across the board.
The Hawks opened their season on December 6th with a strong 67-60 win over the Hammond Golden Bears. They followed that performance just two days later, taking down Wilde Lake 65-52 behind efficient shot making and lockdown defense. On December 15th, River Hill proved they could push through in tight games, escaping with a 60-57 win over Mt. Hebron in a back and forth matchup that came down to the final minutes.
However, the most dominant performance of the season came on December 19th, when the Hawks badly beat Centennial 73-44. That game showcased River Hill at its best, with crisp ball movement, high percentage shot-making and locking in defensively. Junior shooting guard Will Fortune reflected on the win, “Our team came together very, very well, we all wanted to win that game and showed it on the court,” he said. Junior forward Adam Hawthorne also spoke on the team’s effort, saying, “We played with a lot of energy on both ends, trusting one another throughout the game.”
The team capped off its 5th win on December 22nd, with a gritty 55-49 victory over Guilford Park, closing out the first half of the season with confidence. Junior Dylan Bhagat highlighted the team’s growth, stating, “We’ve really improved our team chemistry, and everyone is more confident in their role.”
Offensively, senior Ethan Makode has really been letting his presence be known. Makode leads the team in scoring, averaging an impressive 16.3 points per game. He also ranks first in steals with an average of 2.3 steals per game, showing his impact on both ends of the floor. His ability to score and cause turnovers has really been crucial to River Hill’s success.
Alongside Makode, senior Mason Rooths has also been contributing heavily, showing consistency and leadership. Ranking second offensively on the team with an average of 13.4 points per game and leading the Hawks in assists with an average of 2.9 per game, Rooth’s playmaking has really helped the offense produce, especially in close games. Senior Jaden Moore finishes the scoring top three, averaging 9.6 points per game, and has been a dominant force around the paint, leading the team and letting his presence be known with an impressive 9 rebounds per game. Fortune also commented on the team’s preparation, adding, “The work and effort level we have during practice has really helped us stay composed in close games.”
Junior Rylan Graves has also played an important role, ranking third on the team in rebounds (4.7 per game), assists (1.4 per game), and steals (1.9 per game). His versatility and two-way ceiling have added valuable depth to the Hawks’ lineup.
As a team, River Hill has emphasized defense, rebounding, and unselfish play. With everyone on the team playing a role and contributing, the Hawks have shown that they’re more than just a one-dimensional team. Junior Afa Ndu emphasized the team’s norm, saying, “When we stay locked in defensively and play together, we know we have the chance to win every game.”
With a little over half the season remaining, River Hill’s efficient offense and experienced leadership sets up the Hawks for a strong finish. If they continue to hustle every night and defend at a high level, River Hill has the potential to turn its even midseason record into a successful deep postseason playoff run.