The CHAAMP Hawks rounded out their 2022-23 season with three straight wins to reach the National Christian Homeschool Basketball Championships (NCHBC’s) Big South Regional Championship, before falling in the division 2 championship game to end the tournament.
The Hawks finished with a 22-8 record, one of the best finishes in the 13 year history of the organization.
In the first contest of the tournament, CHAAMP defeated the Faulkner County Falcons from Arkansas relatively easily, 64-52. The game was never in doubt as Hawks bench players played extended minutes in the contest.
John Luke Angier led the Hawks with 20 points while John Hall had 11. Connor Frank added 10 points and Adam Roseberry had 6. David Tagg contributed 5 points while Silas Peterson and Drew Wigley each had 3. Philip Angier, Caelan Delisi, and Cooper Fulton each added two points as every Hawk scored in the contest.
After finishing the Falcons, the Hawks pivoted to their second game of the tournament against the Houston based San Marcos Panthers. The Hawks pounced on the Panthers to begin the contest, outscoring San Marcos 2413 in the first quarter. The Panthers clawed back as the Hawks cooled off in the second quarter, San Marcos tying the game at 31 heading into the halftime break. CHAAMP bent, but did not break, outscoring the Panthers 21-16 in the third quarter and 17-15 in the 4th to secure a 69-62 victory and a trip to the tournament semifinals.
John Luke Angier and Hall each scored 24 points for the Hawks, while Frank gave a huge contribution off the bench with 16 points. Wigley added three points and Philip Angier scored two points to round out the CHAAMP scoring.
With a semifinal spot secured, CHAAMP quickly turned around to face another Houston based homeschool squad, the CHSA Wolverines, for the right to advance to the division two championship game. Once again the Hawks leaped in front to begin the game, outscoring the Wolverines 21-11 in the first quarter and 2117 in the second to lead 42-28 at the half. The Wolverines were not finished yet, clawing their way back into the contest by outscoring the Hawks 21-11 in the third period to close the margin to 53-49 heading into the final period. CHAAMP dug their heels in and hit their free throws down the stretch, outscoring the Wolverines 1916 in the final quarter to secure a 72-65 win and a spot in the Big South Division 2 Regional Championship game.
John Luke Angier and Hall once again paced the Hawks with 23 points apiece. Wigley added 13 points and Tagg contributed eight points to the CHAAMP total. Frank had 5 points.
The Hawks turned around to face the Lake Houston Conquerors for the championship. Turning the tables on the Hawks, the Conquerors were the team who leaped in front to start the contest, leading 23-8 after the first period of play. The Hawks settled in but couldn’t chip in to the Lake Houston lead, only matching the Conquerours in scoring for the second quarter to trail 34-19 at the half. CHAAMP rushed out of the halftime gate, scoring six straight to cut the Lake Houston lead to single digits, but the Conquerors weathered the blow and pulled away in the 4th quarter to win the game 66-44.
John Luke Angier had 18 points while Hall had 9. Frank and Tagg each added six points and Delisi and Philip Angier each contributed two points.
It was a successful season for the Hawks as they went 22-8 and took second place trophies in three different tournaments. CHAAMP projects to return three starters next season and will look to build on their success in the future.