by Matt Schwab

Newcomers Ted Bigg-Wither and Mason Bruce, who both hail from Australia and room together in Livermore, have brought international spice to a sizzling Hawks team that has opened the season with seven straight wins. 

Bigg-Wither, a 6-foot-9 freshman wing, came up, well, big in a 108-62 win over host Hartnell on Day 2 of the Hartnell tournament on Saturday, Nov. 22. He had a double-double with a season-high 19 points to go with 10 rebounds and three blocks. 

A steady rebounding presence and emerging talent, Bigg-Wither had 16 points, shooting 8 for 10 from the floor, and seven rebounds in a 100-44 blowout of Lassen on Nov. 15.

"Ted has been great," Las Positas head coach James Giacomazzi said. "He has a lot of upside and is still learning how to play and play with a quicker pace. He gets better and better with each passing week."

Bigg-Wither played with the Canberra Gunners Academy back home, and Bruce, an energetic reserve guard, played for the Ginninderra Rats Premier League Men.

Sophomore Jaden Woodard led the way against Monterey Peninsula on Day 1 of the Hartnell tournament, amassing 25 points (11-12 FG; 2-2 3 PT).

The Hawks have swept through two tournaments — the Tony Costello Tip-Off Classic at LPC and Hartnell tourney.

MAJOR LANDMARKS COMING SOON: Giacomazzi is closing in on some major landmarks. He needs two wins in the James Clark Classic at Cosumnes River (Dec. 4-6) to reach 400 career victories, and is four wins away from his 200th victory at Las Positas (196-78).