The Mohawk Valley Basketball Team took on the #2 Herkimer Generals on Wednesday evening at home. 

There was a great crowd from the opening tip in the Jorgenson Center, as both teams looked to put their best forward in Region 3's best rivalry game.

The Hawks got off to a great start as they took a 17-7 lead through the opening minutes. Jamir Smith was stellar early on with an array of finishes at the rim, and a few electric passes to MV forwards to ignite the Hawks crowd. 

After a highly competitive 1st half, led by impressive post scoring from Andre Pasha, high post scoring and slashing from Alex Barnhill, and some impressive defensive efforts and energy from AJ Burns and Cam Pownall, the Hawks stayed in control of the game. 

Through 20 minutes, Mohawk Valley headed into the locker room with the lead, 29-25 over the Generals. 

The second half started with fireworks from both sides, as the crowed stayed highly involved as both teams battled in the high octane matchup. 

Going into the final minutes the Hawks led by as many as 13 points, but the Generals battled back to cut the head to 6 with a 1:30 left in the contest. 

An AJ Burns three with just under a minute remaining gave the Hawks a 9 point lead which Herkimer was ultimately unable to over come. 

Andre Pasha led the way for the Hawks with a 19 point 19 rebound performance to go with 2 steals and 2 blocks.

Alex Barnhill contributed a double double of 14 points and 10 rebounds, on 10/13 shooting from the free throw line to go with 4 assists, and 4 blocks. 

Jamir Smith ran the show for the Hawks at a high level all evening scoring 21 points and dishing out 7 assists. AJ Burns added 14 points, grabbed 4 rebounds, 2 steals. Additionally, 6'9 Center Cam Pownall contributed an all around performance of 4 points, 9 rebounds, and a block. 

The 72-65 victory brings the Hawks record to 2-0 on the season.