Warhawks Put Sportsmanship First

SWAN VALLEY – The Swan Valley School Warhawks basketball season is off and running. With a focus on fundamentals and having fun playing the sport, Warhawks coaches Katie Gleason and Chris Auchenbach have watched the players improve every game and exemplify incredible sportsmanship.

Gleason said the team has been working hard on their passing, boxing out, ball handling and defense.

"We want the kids to learn all they can about basketball and to have fun all while having outstanding sportsmanship," wrote Gleason in an email. "It has been a really fun season."

Saturday, Jan. 20 the Warhawks hosted the Avon Elks. While it was not a typical day on the court, the Warhawks' sportsmanship shone through.

With the Warhawks up 20-10 at the half, Avon asked the Warhawks if they could have a player for the second half. Auchenbach agreed to the switch and Jalen Kauffman joined the Elks for the second half in an attempt to bring the score a little closer.

"We are really just looking for our kids to have a great time playing ball," wrote Gleason. "As the scores got closer, the kids had more fun."

Kauffman was the boost the Elks needed, scoring five points for the Elks and helping them double their score. The Warhawks B Team squeaked out the win 28-27.

Aubrey Matthew, Laciey Auchenbach, Lilly Boyd and Levi Webb added six points each for the Warhawks. Also scoring: Rilyn Richardson, 2; Jalen Kauffman, 2 for the Warhawks and 5 for the Elks.

The Warhawks A Team took a commanding lead over the Elks 28-3 at the half. The Avon coach requested a good guard and good forward. Warhawks Kyla Conley and Kase Anderson quickly accepted the challenge.

"Again, the lead began to shrink and the fun grew," wrote Gleason. "It was a fun day of basketball all around."

The Warhawks A team won 57-21. Connor Matthew led the Warhawks scoring 21 points. Jalen Kauffman and Trista Alexander both scored into the double digits adding 10 each for the team.

Also scoring for the Warhawks A Team: Seth Richardson, 8; Kase Anderson, 6 for Warhawks and 6 for the Elks; Kyla Conley, 4 for the Elks; and Chris Auchenbach, 2.

The Warhawks host Helmville for their last home game Thursday, Jan. 25 at 5:30 p.m. They are looking forward to participating in the tournament Feb. 3 at Seeley Lake Elementary. Since the tournament is so close to home this year, Gleason hopes for a lot of hometown support.  

 

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