Howard Wins! Hawks Win! Claim Programs Second National Championship
(Hutchinson, KS – March 28, 2026) – A chess match at the outset, both teams looked tentative, but neither team is afraid to lock you down.
After a Cooper Kesler triple in the closing seconds of the first half put CSI up 30-29, the final twenty minutes would not have the intensity or the luster.
Throughout the first 7 minutes of the 2nd frame, the lead flipped several times. With 12 ½ to play, Daniel Culberson gave the Hawks the lead they wouldn’t lose at 47-45.
Closing out on a 35–22 run, the Hawks are going to celebrate in Disney world.
Terry Copeland fired in a game high 23 and doubled up with 16 boards on his way to MVP honors for the tournament.
Copeland finished up as the tournament’s leading scorer with 100 total points (25 ppg average).
Kuai Deng, an All-Tournament Team Selection finished with 20. Culberson, who provided the lead that never left them, added 10.
Ben Thornbrue led the scoring for Southern Idaho netting 21. Jalen Lyn went for 19.
Howard out muscled CSI on the glass 40-31, and shot 49% from the field to the Eagles 35%
Their were 9 lead changes and 3 ties. Howard’s biggest lead was 16 in the final minute. Southern Idaho had a 5 point lead in the games first 5 minutes.
