By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

GAUTIER — The Hancock boys basketball team picked the right time to snap a three game losing streak Friday night.
The visiting Hawks captured a hard-fought, defensive battle against Gautier 33-25 in Region 4-6A play in the league final for both teams. Hancock sealed the third seed in the upcoming region tournament with the win, moving to an even .500 in the region race at 5-5 and now sits at 9-17 overall.

The Gators dropped to 2-8 in the region race and 10-17 overall and will be the fifth seed when the league tourney tips off.
Hancock was up 14-3 at halftime after a cold shooting first half from the home team thanks to some solid defense by the Hawks.
Hawk big man and versatile multi-sport standout Jaxson Knight scored eight points in the second half to help hold off Gautier, despite the Gators getting 11 points from Evan Smith after intermission to help close the gap somewhat.

Knight led the Hawks with a game-high 14 points, while Israel Makoka chipped in eight points to the winning cause.
Smith’s 11 points, including a trio of 3-pointers, led Gautier while Aiden Isom added nine points for the Gators.

Hancock makes a return trip to Jackson County Tuesday night to face Ocean Springs while Gautier remains at home to take on Moss Point.