Hawks readying for conference homestretch

by Danny Waldo
It has been an unusually difficult season for the Bozeman Hawks on the hardwood, with losses piling up at an uncharacteristically high rate for both the boys’ and girls’ team, but with the divisional tournaments looming in the near future, both programs are ready to kick it into high gear.
For the boys, things are beginning to click after an adjustment period to begin the season, and Wes Holmquist has his squad sitting at 6-3 overall and 3-1 in conference play. Bozeman recently entered the Top 5 rankings in the state for the first time this season, despite losing their last game, a 45-41 setback at Billings West, the No. 2 ranked team in the state.
The Hawks will benefit from five of their remaining eight conference games at home after spending the early part of the season on the road. Bozeman will host a four-game homestand beginning with Billings Skyview on January 30th, followed by a visit from the Great Falls schools February 7th–8th.
For the girls, this season has been even more of a struggle, as head coach Erika Gustavsen has had to bring together an inexperienced group that has suffered major growing pains versus the elite teams in the AA. The Lady Hawks currently sit at 3-6 overall and 2-2 in conference, but unlike their male counterparts, Bozeman will spend a good portion of their remaining schedule on the road to close out the regular season.
Both the Hawks and Lady Hawks will be vying to get to the state tournament which will be played in Brick Breeden Fieldhouse March 12th–14th. The last time Bozeman hosted the State AA basketball tournament in 2016, the girls took home the title, while the boys finished runner-up to Billings Skyview.
In order for the two squads to punch their tickets to state, they’ll need to finish in the top four at divisionals in Billings March 5th–7th.
For a complete schedule of upcoming games for Bozeman, log onto the district website at www.bsd7.org and click the ‘Activities’ tab. •