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EUDORA, Kan. – Looking to defend a preseason tournament season they won last year, the Harmon Hawks defeated the Turner Golden Bears 71-57 in the first round of the Eudora Invitational.

Led by DeOntae Hooks' 21 points and Jauan Wilson's 17 points, the Hawks struggled in the first quarter, turning the ball over and getting off to a slow start offensively.

But in the second quarter, its press began to wear down the Golden Bears.

Leading 15-12, Harmon began the quarter with a 16-3 run, extending its lead to 31-15. Hooks and Wilson scored eight of the 16 points during the run.

"I was surprised by the slow start," said Heath Cooper, Harmon head coach. "Our guys were ready to play, and it was a credit to Turner. The second quarter we got our press going a bit."

The Hawks outscored Turner 29-9 in the second quarter, taking a 44-21 halftime lead.

"After the first quarter, coach got on us," Wilson said. "We came out with an interest in the second quarter."

It was more of the same in the third quarter.

Harmon would eventually expand its lead to 68-39 before pulling its starters near the end of the third quarter.

In a three-game, four-day tournament, the rest should benefit the Hawks.

"We were up 29 and we really wanted to rest our players, both physically and mentally," Cooper said.

Exavier Bass Brooks and Jervon Hooks added eight points for the Hawks. Al Hayes provided six points off the bench. Ron Stallings (pictured above) provided the Hawks great defense and a number of rebounds.

Leading the Golden Bears were Chuck O'Neal's 18 points and Isiah Harris' 12 points.

Harmon will play Piper tomorrow at 6:45 at Eudora Middle School.