By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News
Last season, the Heritage Hawks basketball program exceeded even the loftiest of expectations. They began the season (1-3) while developing their on-court identity with a mix of stout senior players and phenomenally talented freshman. Once they found their rhythm and groove, they also discovered their winning ways. Their midseason turnaround culminated in a 2nd place finish at Districts, 3rd place finish at Tri-Districts and, ultimately, the boys fell just one win short from a State Tournament bid.
The Hawks are returning a number of players from that (17-9) squad, including the starting backcourt of J.J. Gray and Amare Hatch who are both sophomores now. They are joined by a plethora of new faces who are eager to carve out impactful roles on a team primed to build off last season’s success.
“We’re looking to accomplish all around growth for the program, and to continue developing our boys for what we hope is another lengthy post season run. Of course, this year we want to make it all the way to State,” shared Heritage head coach Shawn Sanchey. “It’s been so exciting being able to watch our program grow and to receive so much support from our community. When we’re winning in front of packed crowds, it really doesn’t get much better than that.”
The 24-25 season officially kicked off on Thursday, December 5, when Tulalip travelled to Shoreline High School for an away game against the Chargers. It was less a game and more a coming out party for the new-look Hawks.
The J.J. and Amare pairing as playing making combo guards who can just as easily stroke a 3-pointer as they can beat their man off the dribble and finesse in a layup, scored 19 points in the early going to give their team a commanding 34-5 lead. This pleased the many Heritage fans who journeyed south to swarm the Shoreline gymnasium.
In the 3rd quarter, newcomer Ziggy Myles-Gilford did his best Dennis Rodman impersonation by gobbling up every loose rebound and scoring off high percentage shots in the painted area. The Tulalip forward accounted for 14 points and nearly as many rebounds in that third frame. With the game all but a wrap, Coach Sanchey unleashed his bench players to have their fun during the 4th quarter.
After the decisive 75-19 season opening victory, guard Amare said, “Our on-ball defense was on point tonight. I don’t know how many steals we ended up with, but it was a lot, that’s for sure. I think our team chemistry is already at a good place because so many of us have been playing together in Native tournaments. All those extra games and reps have gotten us comfortable with each other’s games. We want to be better than we were last year and this first W is just the start.”
In total, ten Heritage boys registered a bucket in the blowout win. Ziggy led all scorers with 20 points.
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Hawks chop down Loggers, 90-46
With more Tulalip fans in attendance than Logger fans, the energy was more befitting a home game for the Heritage boys playing in Darrington. Chants of “Tulalip power!” rang out early and often as the Hawks break neck pace led to a 26-13 first quarter lead.
The long ball wasn’t falling, or any jumper for that matter, but it didn’t matter because the Hawks couldn’t be denied from getting to the basket whenever they wanted. Both Hawks forwards, Ziggy Myles-Gilford and Tokala Black Tomahawk, controlled the glass and routinely corralled offensive rebounds to give their team additional offensive possessions. The two Hawks bigs combined to score 25 points in the 1st half and were a big reason why Tulalip led 47-26 at halftime.
In the 3rd quarter, the 3 ball finally started to go in for the Hawks shooters. Amare Hatch, J.J. Gray, and Deveyon Wells each made a 3-pointer to help extend their team’s lead. Up big, 77-35, to begin the 4th quarter coach Shawn inserted his bench players to get in on the scoring frenzy.
Stunned Logger fans even got to witness a couple Ziggy dunks, tomahawk style. His dunks were just the cherry on top of his career night 30 points and 20-something rebounds enroute to Tulalip securing a 90-46 win.
The unbeaten (2-0) Hawks received additional scoring from Amare who chipped in 15 points, while J.J. and Tokala each added 13 points.