The Gibault High School boys basketball team is this week’s Republic-Times team of the week.

The Hawks won their first regional title in 12 years Friday. Below is a sneak peak of this week’s front page article on Gibault’s postseason run thus far.

It has been a long time coming for the Gibault boys basketball team. The program earned its first regional championship since Dennis Rueter’s 2001 Hawks.

“I’m just excited to see it, we’ve got some kids that are pretty excited in here,” Rueter said after the victory celebration Friday night. “It used to be old school. I’ve been a part of winning them, it’s been awhile, but I’ve been a part of winning them. These guys haven’t though.”

Gibault started off commanding the lead in the first half of the Class 1A Valmeyer Regional championship game Friday against Okawville, going on a 14-3 run and ending the half up 24-13.

“We got off some good shots. We got the ball into the post and we used our size and just over- matched them inside,” Rueter explained. “That’s something we hadn’t really done that often this year and we did it really well tonight.”

Although the Hawks were on top the entire game, their lead wavered from time to time. Gibault came out of the locker room at half unable to score for close to three minutes. But as slow as those three minutes went by for the Hawks, the next two went on without a hitch…

To read the full article on Gibault’s postseason run, pick up a copy of this week’s paper — out Wednesday. Or subscribe online today!

Gibault will play in the Sectional championship Friday after their semifinal win over New Berlin, Tuesday night, 64-49.

The Hawks’ Nick Row also received Republic-Times honors this week as the Athlete of the Week. Click here, to read Row’s article.

Congratulations Hawks, keep up the good work!