History Made: Hawks Reach First-Ever Basketball Final and Lady Hawks Find the Net

The Lady Hawks opened the day at 8 a.m. against PACA, stepping onto a muddy field after heavy rain. The conditions made for a difficult match, but the morning brought a moment EABH had been waiting for: the Lady Hawks’ first goal of the tournament, scored by senior Laura Calixto (10).

For Laura, finding the net in her final soccer season representing EABH made the goal especially meaningful. Her excitement was clear, and her teammates had every reason to celebrate alongside her. PACA ultimately won 3-1, but Laura’s goal gave the Lady Hawks a well-earned moment of joy in a demanding tournament.

The boys were next, facing the Nations Cougars in their first knockout game. The stakes were clear: win and advance to the Division I semifinals, or lose and move into Division II. After an unbeaten start, the Hawks now had to prove themselves in a game that could change the course of their tournament.

Nations made them work for every point. The Cougars’ strength and physical play tested EABH, but the Hawks responded with technical quality and determination in a closely contested matchup. This was a different challenge from their earlier victories, and EABH rose to it.

Cristiano Wanderley, Bernardo Veloso and Dudu Albergaria all hit three-pointers, providing crucial scoring in a game where every basket mattered. Bernardo Veloso (10) earned Player of the Match, helping the Hawks secure a hard-fought 47- 44 victory.

Just three points separated the teams at the finish, but they were enough. EABH had secured its place in Division I and, more importantly, earned a spot in the semifinals. The Hawks were now one win away from reaching the first basketball final in school history.

Before that semifinal, the Lady Hawks returned to the field against the Sant’Anna Wolves. Another match in difficult conditions ended in a narrow 1-0 defeat, decided by a penalty rebound. Gabriela Muzzi saved the initial shot, a valiant effort, but Sant’Anna converted the rebound.

Gabi had done her part denying the penalty, but EABH remained one goal behind its opponent through the course of another physically demanding afternoon.

By then, the girls were carrying the workload of more than just two soccer matches. Most had also played basketball during the first half of the week, and with only one substitute, opportunities to recover were limited. Even so, the Lady Hawks continued to compete, following their first goal that morning with a close contest against Sant’Anna. The results were difficult, but the girls’ effort deserved recognition.

Then came the boys’ semifinal against the Chapel Trojans. A place in the Division I final was on the line, along with an achievement the EABH basketball team had never reached before.

The Hawks delivered.

After battling through the three-point win over Nations, EABH delivered a convincing 40-29 victory over Chapel. A semifinal expected to provide another difficult test became a strong display of the Hawks’ quality. The boys played with confidence and composure, earning an eleven-point win on one of the tournament’s biggest stages.

Dudu Albergaria made EABH’s three-pointers and took the Player of the Match honors. His performance helped lead another successful team effort, as the Hawks gave Coach Fred and their supporters a result to remember.

At the final whistle, it was official: EABH was heading to its first-ever basketball final.

The Hawks had won both knockout games, remained unbeaten and made history in a single day. From holding off Nations in a tense battle to taking control against Chapel in the semifinal, they had earned every step of their place in the final championship game.

One game remained, and for the first time, the EABH Hawks would be playing for the basketball title.