The Hanover Hawks were at a decided disadvantage coming into the Capital District Tournament. Though nearly every other team suffered through two weeks without games or practices due to snow, they all got one final tune-up last Friday when schools were finally reopened. However, Hanover was unfortunate in the fact that Friday was a bye night for their team.

Therefore, coming into the district tournament, the Hawks had not played a game since Jan. 28. Though they were able to practice, that time was also limited because the Central Region Gymnastics meet was being held on their floor this past Saturday.

Furthermore Hanover was faced with the task of playing #3 seed Henrico.

Though the Warriors came away with a 69-60 win, Hanover head coach Troy Manns was not looking for excuses. “We just got beat by a better team today,” he said. “We haven’t played a game in a long time but you can’t use those as excuses, you’ve still got to play.”

“It was different,” said senior Danny Trsic. “It took a while to get used to, the running, get back in form. So I think it effected us in the first quarter but after that I think we were getting motivated and getting ready to go.”

The Hawks held tight with Henrico through the first period, trailing 13-12 heading into the second quarter.

The margin remained the same, 21-20, four minutes before the half but Hanover closed out the second without another point.

Henrico closed out the period on a 7-0 run capped by back to back baskets from junior center Miles Grooms for an eight point lead heading into the break.

A rash of Hanover fouls complicated matters further and Henrico took advantage going 5-of-6 from the line to pull ahead 39-26 with 3:04 to play in the third.

The margin stretched to 15, 49-34, a little over a minute into the fourth.

Looking directly at the end of their season it would have been easy for Hanover to throw in the towel but instead they came to life.

“It’s just that type of team,” said senior Danny Trsic. “We try to play until the clock hits zero every game. Give it everything we have.”

A jumper from Greg Lewis (19 points) was followed by ones from sophomore Patrick Fehl and freshman Sam Rogers.

Henrico’s Sequan Carter momentarily halted the Hawks with a jumper of his own but junior Dee Taylor (13 points) answered with a three from the right wing to pull Hanover within eight, 51-43.

The Warriors pushed the margin back to 10 on a jumper from Justin Thorpe (19 points) but Lewis then took control outscoring Henrico 7-1 over the next minutes to pull the Hawks within four, 54-50.

But with the game clock winding down Hanover was forced to foul and Henrico was solid from the line making 9-of-13 free throws to seal the win.

For Manns, inexperience at championship basketball rather than lack of practice or games this season led to the downfall. “Our guys are so young at a lot of positions,” Manns said. “You look at the court sometimes we have a freshman, a sophomore and a junior; looking at that and guys who hadn’t even played varsity basketball before- The best thing about it is these are learning experiences for these guys. Same situation next year we won’t be as hesitant. They’ll be a little more confident.”

However, Manns wished he could have sent his group of seniors out on a better note, after battling through adversity all season.

“I’m disappointed for our seniors, those guys worked hard,” he said. “I felt bad for Michael Dandridge. I wanted to put him in. He broke his finger a couple of months ago. It would have hurt me more to have played him and him get hurt again.

“Danny (Trsic), I couldn’t have asked for a better player to coach,” Manns said. “He gave 100 percent in everything we asked of him. Russ (Lyons) didn’t play for 5-10 minutes at all last season and he dedicated himself. Kendall (Hughes) worked hard, he kept coming to practice, kept trying to get better. I’m disappointed for all of those guys.”

“The record didn’t show it but I think we showed a lot of heart throughout the season,” Trsic said. “It’s really a young team.”

HANOVER (7-11) Taylor 13, Jennings 0, Fehl 4, Shannon 0, Lewis 19, Fleming 3, Alexander 2, Dandridge 0, Hughes 0, Lyons 3, Trsic 4, Rogers 12, Brooks 0. Totals 23 7-9 60.
HENRICO (12-8) Wells 4, Jones 10, Walden 19, Robinson 0, Davis 0, Thorpe 15, Carter 8, Johnson 6, Grooms 7, Talley 0. Totals 23 21-35 69.
Hanover….................. 12 8 12 28 — 60
Henrico…................... 13 15 17 24 — 69
3-point goals: Han — Taylor 3, Lewis 2,
Rogers 2. Hen —Jones, Walden.