After a disappointing finish last season, star import Jonathan Lawton has big aspirations for 2025.
The Ringwood Hawks were flying to start 2024, winning four of their first five games of the season. By the end of the season, they only added two more wins to their record and finished 18th on the ladder.
Re-signing a majority of their young core, the team have had an off-season together and will be led once again by Lawton – who averaged 20 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.4 steals a game last season.
With a fresh start, Lawton believes his Hawks can flip the narrative in 2025.
“We need to just keep building with the guys, we had the same core group that we had the last few years and just trying to get better,” he said.
“We have big aspirations as a team, so every day we get in the gym and just try to go our hardest and we’ll try to make some noise this year.”
While other teams are making major signings, bringing in talent from across the country and overseas, Lawton believes Ringwood’s core and continuity is the foundation to success.
“We're staying with our core, we're really big on sticking with the guys that we have,” he said.
“So we'll have a little surprise for our import, but we're just putting everything together.”
The Hawks will face off against the defending champion Eltham Wildcats on March 29. With many friends on the team, Lawton wants to spoil their night to kick off 2025.
“It's the ring day, I'm happy for them, I love the guys there. I’m good friends with lot of guys on that team, but it’s a perfect way to ruin the ring ceremony,” he said.
Via Xavier Papadakos: Lawton wearing an Eltham jersey during their finals run
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