The drought is finally over.
Illawarra Hawks have climbed back to the top of the mountain as NBL champions for the first time in 24 years.
The Hawks will party like it’s 2001 after clinching the championship on their home floor in a 114-104 win over Melbourne United in a winner-takes-all game five at the WIN Sports & Entertainment Centre on Sunday.
It will be remembered as the breakout series of young Hawks guard Will Hickey.
The 25-year-old came back to haunt the club that gave him his start as a development player.
Hickey was immense with 21 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in a dominant performance.
A mouse in the house, Hickey claimed five offensive boards, and was constantly an option forgotten about under the hoop.
“I’m just trying to soak the moment in,” Hickey said.
“I’m just so proud of us, man.
“We were down, we were out, it’s the grit that we showed [after] two losses on our home court to come out and to come out and finish it here tonight, that’s made me really emotional.”
Tremendous sportsmanship
The decision to award United point guard Matthew Dellavedova the Championship Series MVP was met with boos from the Hawks crowd.
Dellavedova walked off stage with his MVP trophy and handed it to Hickey in an incredible act of sportsmanship, who most felt deserved the honour on the victorious team, despite Dellavedova’s great series.
“Davo, this really belongs to you, you had a hell of a series,” Dellavedova said.
The Hawks had to come back from 10 points down early in game five.
They did it through their rebounding domination, which they bossed 53-30.
Trey thrives
Star Hawks guard Trey Kell III, who missed game four with a knee injury, rose up off the canvas to be force in game five.
Kell was unstoppable at times with a near triple double off the bench with 26 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists.
Every time United threatened, it was Kell with the answers with the 28-year-old confirming himself as a superstar on the big stage.
Olbrich arrives
When starting centre Sam Froling went down with an achilles injury, the question was asked, who will stand up?
Lachie Olbrich, 21, confirmed himself as a future star with hugely influential performances in games four and five, including 12 points, four rebounds and three assists in the deciding game.
Wani Swaka Lo Buluk piled in a crucial 16 points, while Todd Blanchfield’s (eight points) second period was outstanding.
Tyler Harvey had 16 points.
Shooting woes hampered United.
United regrets
Their percentages from the free throw line (32/45, 71%) and three-point line (14/36, 38%) will fill them with regret.
It is a gut wrenching loss for United, who had redemption on their mind after last year’s game five loss to Tasmania JackJumpers on their home floor, but they will be left to rue their inability to close out the series on their home floor in game four.
The Hawks did a superb job locking down the dangerous Chris Goulding, limited to a manageable 21 points on 5/15 shooting.
Goulding was never allowed to take over full games because of the Hawks ability to follow the scout of coach Justin Tatum.
Hawks rise
It was a fairytale result for Tatum.
The 46-year-old American coach took over the Hawks last season when they were 2-7 and quite frankly the easy beat of the competition.
Tatum’s record has improved to 39-22 and is now an NBL champion.
This Hawks team fed off Tatum’s passion and energy.
“More happy for the crowd, for my team, for my coaches, I’m just a little part, I’m happy to be experiencing this, I’m loving the feeling right now,” Tatum said.
“Extremely proud.
“I’m bringing a chip back home, St Louis, I love you, I miss you.”
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