Granite City Classic: Horace Hawks Notes

Prep Hoops Dakotas watched the Horace Hawks compete today at the Breakdown's Granite City Classic, played at St. Cloud State University inside Halenbeck Hall, as they took on Orono, the No. 8 ranked AAA team in Minnesota. The Hawks rose to the challenge and delivered an impressive performance against a quality opponent.   Horace separated late with a strong surge over the final six minutes, turning a competitive game into a convincing win. It was a statement showing on a big stage and another data point that this Hawks group is built to compete with anyone. Below are player notes and takeaways from the win.   Horace might need a new nickname after today, because “Dunk City” felt more than appropriate. The Hawks put on an aerial show with nine or ten dunks throughout the game, turning momentum plays into statement finishes. [player_tooltip player_id='1327797' first='Carter' last='Evanson'] was the headliner, throwing down six or seven slams that ignited the bench and crowd alike. [player_tooltip player_id='1651918' first='Brett' last='Livingston'] added to the highlight reel with a dunk of his own and a POSTER that brought the gym to its feet, while [player_tooltip player_id='1651920' first='Owen' last='Terras'] capped the show with a fluid two-hander in transition. It was an emphatic performance above the rim and another example of Horace's athleticism on full display. The NoDak kids can get up!   It was a solid showing for the NoDak teams in St. Cloud today. Fargo Davies beat Champlin Park in a 2OT game. This is another reminder that North Dakota can play a little basketball and compete with the big-bad Minnesota teams. See below for player notes.   Tomorrow's games in St. Cloud....Horace takes on Champlin Park (2:15) and Davies clashes with Spring Lake Park (1:45) at St. Cloud State University.   Scores   HALF: Horace 34 Orono 35   FINAL: Horace 82 Orono 67   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/PlayerNotes.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/PlayerNotes.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2302277" style="width:321px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Horace Hawks    -Pushed the pace, got the D on his hip, smooth lefty finger-roll finish   -Ball pressure D, forced a travel/TO   -Sneaky steal in traffic   -Shimmy & shake, kick-out to Brett for a triple, nice find   -He looked very fast/quick/athletic today   -Impressive ball skills, threw accurate passes w/ both L & R hands   -Agile slash, knifed through the D, score from the right block   -Baseline slash, inside-out assist to Brett for a 3   -Drive & kick assist to KK for a 3, sweet find   -Strong & physical drive to the left block, short pull-up J for 2pts   -Difficult pull-up from left baseline, IDK how he even got it off, hit the shot plus the foul for the AND1, made FT for 3pt play   -Picked off a tipped pass, coast-to-coast, killer X-over to the rim, righty finger-roll finish, GREAT play     -Helpside D, came across the paint & rejected a shot   -Went straight-up, blocked another shot, took away a good look   -Cashed a catch & shoot triple from the right wing, Green with the dime   -Downhill drive, short pull-up J from the R-block, soft touch for 2pts   -Strong O-board, putback bucket   -Had a crazy dunk in the 2nd half, he put the defender on a poster, and it was a solid 6'8" player   -His dunks look effortless, Livingston is a special athlete   -Cashed a corner triple, Green with the assist   -Great help D, read the eyes, pick off a pass like a FS   -Catch from the dunk spot, attack rim, 2-hand POWER JAM, KK w/ the dime   -Swatted a shot like Mutombo   -Tough D around the basket, deflect & steal   -Another BLOCK, major rim protector     -Finished with 40 points   -Cashed a deep pull-up 3 for the first Hawks points of the game   -Drive, draw 2, kickout assist to KK for a triple   -Picked off a pass early for a steal   -Breakaway run-out layup, KK with the pass-ahead assist   -Quick hands, grabbed another steal   -Athletic attack to the rack, fouled, went to the FT-line   -Poke-out steal on an SLOB, contested score in transition on the other end   -Help-side D, pick off pass, fastbreak, 2-hand WHAM   -O-board in traffic, fallaway kiss off the glass from 8 feet for 2 pts   -Beyond college range 3 from the left wing in transition, money   -Right baseline slash, fancy footwork near the hoop, lefty score, nice move   -Crossover to beat the 1st D, got to the rack, AND1 finger-roll finisher   -Run-out fastbreak 1-handed DUNK   -Baseline backdoor cut, sick flush at the rim   -Quick trigger 3 in the 2nd half, tough shot w/ a hand in his face   -Cashed an NBA triple in transition   -Another steal, breakaway, double-pump ridiculous dunk   -Right wing catch, rip, attack, short pull-up over 2 defender for 2 pts   -Mid-paint pull-up, shooters touch roll for another bucket   -Run-out 2-handed SLAM, Little Larry with the assist   -Another DUNK in transition, 2-handed hammer     -In the right place at the right time, picked off a pass   -Active hands on defense, deflected a pass & another Hawk picked it off   -Didn't force on offense, let the big dogs eat     -Catch & shoot triple from the right wing early, shooter's touch bounce   -Quick hands, deflected a pass, collected a steal, pass ahead assist to Easy$   -Drive, draw help, kickout assist to Little Larry for a 3   -Hustle O-board in traffic for an extra possession   -Catch & shoot triple from the left corner, in-rhythm shooter   -Middle drive, draw help, dump-down dime to Brett for a big JAM   -Another assist, kickout to Easy$ for a triple in transition   -Hair-trigger triple from the left corner, hand in face, all net     -Looks even longer than he did in the first game of the season   -Anticipated a pass, tipped it, came up with the steal   -Used his long arms to pick off a pass in transition D   -Gave up his body and took a charge early in the 2nd half   -Catch & shoot 3ball from the right wing, smooth   -3/4 pass to Easy$ for a dunk   -Sharp instincts, picked off a BLOB pass   -Top steal, break away, 2-hand SLAM, Little Larry looked good throwing down   -Cashed a catch & shoot trip from the right wing, Ryder with the assist     -LONG & lanky guard   -Used his length on D to alter & change a shot at the rim   -Sweet backdoor bounce pass to Easy$ for a dunk   -Swing pass assist to KK for a 3-ball   -Mid attack, kickout assist to OT for a trey    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/classAA.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/classAA.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2684889" /></a></figure>

Prep Hoops Dakotas watched the Horace Hawks compete today at the Breakdown's Granite City Classic, played at St. Cloud State University inside Halenbeck Hall, as they took on Orono, the No. 8 ranked AAA team in Minnesota. The Hawks rose to the challenge and delivered an impressive performance against a quality opponent.