Hawk soars for Parkway in victory over Dunbar

ROCKFORD - Parkway girls coach Chris Weirrick always knew Haley Hawk was capable of putting up big numbers.

Hawk had the biggest game in the seven-year history of the Chatt Insurance Holiday Tournament during Wednesday's consolation game with Dunbar.

The 5-foot-8 sophomore set single game records with 27 points and 16 rebounds in leading the Panthers past the Wolverines 51-38 for a third-place finish.   

The previous high for points in a game of 24 was shared by Julie Thatcher (Lincolnview, 2014), Audrey Francis (Fairlawn, 2013), Haley Roehm (Parkway, 2011) and Amelia Carter (Riverside, 2009). Hawk's rebounding total surpassed that of Riverside's Amelia Carter, who totaled 15 in a 2009 game.

"She's always been capable of games like that," said Weirrick of Hawk, who was named tournament Most Valuable Player. "We haven't done a good job of getting the ball to her, especially earlier in the season. We weren't looking down when we needed to. Today we did a good job of it. She was aggressive and looked for her shot."

Hawk was stuffing the stat sheet from start to finish. She scored eight points and gathered five rebounds as the Panthers built a 15-8 lead by the end of the first quarter.

The Panthers started the second quarter on a 12-0 run before Aria Cole knocked down a three-pointer with roughly two minutes left to play. Cole finished the first half with four three-pointers and helped the Wolverines dwindle the deficit down to 29-16. Hawk totaled 15 points and half of her rebounds by break.

The score never got closer than 11 in the second half. Hawk broke the scoring record with a jumper from the elbow with 3:35 left in the game. She added another bucket moments later on an assist by Sydney Crouch.

Cole led Dunbar with 15 points and Jasmine Perkins added 14. The Wolverines dropped to 3-6.

Sarah Gehron scored seven points and Crouch added six as the Panthers (3-8) picked up their third victory of the season.

Weirrick admitted to being disappointed they couldn't finish off the job Tuesday against eventual champion Jefferson, who defeated Lincolnview 49-34 in the final. Weirrick did say, however, they'll come away from this experience feeling they've made some strides.

"I'm not happy with losing," he said. "At the beginning of every season, we set our team goals - winning the Chatt is one of those. But the last three games we've improved everything and I'm excited about that.

"I just want to improve. That's the name of the game. We're not as good as we were last year but we're young. I see a good future ahead for us."