The basketball regular season has nearly concluded and this season, the Hawks made a sufficient run and displayed progress. The boys’ team finished 12-13, with a 3-11 record in the GMC. The Hawks were unable to advance as far into the GMC as they wanted, but are actively looking to make a run in the NJSIAA tournament.

“It takes serious commitment to be good at something,” said junior Elijah Peters. “Our eyes were on making a deep run in the state tournament.”

Elijah was named a team captain, alongside seniors Aurko Sarker, Aditya Thewarker, and Varun Kolachina. Elijah had a breakout season in 2021, leading the team in rebounds and scoring the second-most points on the team. As one of the leaders of the team, Elijah wants to establish JP as a strong force for the next season within the GMC Conference. This season, Elijah led the team with 530 total points, 59 total steals, and 149 total rebounds.

Aurko played alongside Elijah in the backcourt. Aurko averaged 8.5 points per game this season and established himself as a premier guard and option for the Hawks. He is often described as a floor general or a player who provides leadership by running the offense. Aurko led the team in assists with 55 this season.

The reliable rotation on the bench also helped the Hawks this season. These key players have proved their worth at critical moments and have helped create many opportunities for the squad.

In this rotation, junior Derric Sherwin is a “switch-player,” or a player used in both JV and Varsity games. Switch players manage their different roles from their various squads in order to ensure the most success for the program. Derric used his role to advance himself in multiple aspects of his life. He sees basketball as an outlet to express himself. He aims to use the sport to improve himself as a person.

“I pushed myself to be a better version of myself, whether that’s actual basketball skills, or being a better, more vocal leader,” he said.

The chemistry on the court is shared off the court as well. Team bonding has proven to be one of the primary reasons for these deep connections. There is a sense of interconnectedness between all of the players.

“These teammates were really my brothers from the starting point guard to the last man on the bench,” said junior Varun Panjeti. “I loved to show up to practice and know my guys were going to be there.”

Hawks fans had shown their support constantly. A student-ran group, known as the Hawks Nest, brought energy to each home game. Active on Instagram, the group provided fans with news and the latest scores from each game. Prior to each home game, the group also updated its followers on a set theme for gameday; blackouts, jersey days, and holiday-specific themes helped unite the school. The Hawks Nest’s consistent support made JP a hostile environment for any opponent who entered the gym.

 “Seeing how dedicated and committed my teammates and the school community were inclined me to be a better leader and teammate,” said senior Aditya Thewarker. “It was an infectious feeling which made me glad.”

The Hawks opened up the postseason with a win against Calvary Christian in a 66-39 blowout in the Preliminary Round of the GMC Tournament. The Hawks established an early lead and maintained their dominance throughout. Elijah and junior Anthony Hicks led the offense, both scoring 21 and 19 points respectively. Unfortunately, JP was not able to hold onto its momentum and lost in the opening round of the tournament a couple of days later.

After their GMC elimination, the Hawks have shifted their focus to the state tournament. They play an away game at Hillsborough on the 21st.  

The Hawks have a long offseason ahead of them to regroup and improve. With new players and the potential of current players, next season should be one to remember.