Hawks Lean on Fast Start, High Expectations as Season Begins

HORACE, N.D. (KVRR) – The Horace Hawks opened the season with confidence and urgency—exactly what senior guard and UND commit Carter Evanson hoped for.

“You know, it’s fun,” Evanson said. “We waited all summer for this moment and we had a good start. We’re 2–0, so that’s the kind of start we need here.”

It’s a promising beginning for a program carrying major expectations. Horace enters the year ranked No. 2 in the Division 2A poll, and inside their own gym, the goals are even loftier.

“Nobody has higher expectations for the team than I do,” head coach Kyle Cummings said. “These guys are hungry. I want to make it to the state tournament— that’s our goal. But these guys are talking about winning it. We’ve got to get there first.”

If there’s one thing that can get them there, it’s offense. The Hawks led the Eastern Dakota Conference last season with more than 84 points per game, and they’re doing even better so far this winter, averaging 89 points through their first two wins.

“You know we can score the ball—everyone knows we can score the ball,” Evanson said. “But the struggle last year was defense. We have a new coach, Mike Benson… he helped us a lot on the defensive end. We’re not switching this year. It’s something different, but it’s working so far. Our defense is what we’re taking pride in this year.”

A year ago, Horace’s season ended short of its expectations, missing out on the state tournament. That loss still fuels their return.

“That loss… that really played a big part in the work we put in this summer,” junior guard Aiden Green said. “We just wanted so much more this year.”

“It kind of lit a fire,” Evanson added. “We want to get better each time. We have new goals… and we want to make the state tournament.”

Helping drive that push is Evanson, the top-ranked senior in North Dakota, whose leadership stretches well beyond his scoring.

“He does so much on the court for us,” Cummings said. “He’s a leader. You’re here watching practice— it won’t take long for him to start sweating. He makes the most of every drill and just sets the tone for us every day.”

Green put it even more simply: “Yeah, I mean, he’s a killer. He’s going to score. You just play your role and do what you can to help win.”

Horace returns to the floor Tuesday, December 16, when they host West Fargo Sheyenne.