| On 28, Feb 2016

The Commentator: Describe yourself in one word.

Marion Williams: Capable.

Ball is life, right?

The Hudson Catholic Boys Varsity Basketball team has seen many great achievements and overcome many milestones.

Under head coach Nicholas Mariniello, who is going onto his eighth year coaching this talented group, the Hawks were able to snag themselves endless summer and preseason tournament wins, county championships back-to-back, and are on their way to snagging their first sectional title since 1976.

Returning are young and talented key players like sophomores Will Brown, Luther Muhammad, and Jahvon Quinerly; juniors Tyheem Burno, Chad Stewart; and senior Marion Williams.

In addition to the returning players, the Hawks have also added freshmen Daniel Rodriguez, Jonathan Delgado, and Marc Bruce, as well as sophomores Chino Rodriguez, Precious Ikediashi, and Louis King.

As the only senior on the team, one might think that he would crack under the pressure of carrying a team full of young players, but for Williams it only encourages him to become a better leader.

Williams said, “When I play and speak, I do everything for those who will be leading after me like Tyheem or Chad. I know that I have to play my best every game because I have people looking up to me.”

Williams, though still “adjusting” to the new players, has established himself as a strong leadership force. Easily finding gaps to the baskets and using his upper-body strength as an advantage, Williams has earned himself a spot among the best players to grace the Hudson Catholic court.

With a record of 15-3, only falling to Blair 63-60, Neumann Goretti 82-73, and the Patrick School 55-45 at the beginning of the season, the Hawks are on a 13 game winning streak and are undefeated in their conference, with a record of 11-0. And with the regular season coming to an end, the Hawks are working very hard to snag a fifth county title, a first sectional title, and make it to the state championship.