New Head Football Coach Hired for Hazelwood Central

Defensive coordinator Van Vanatta will lead the charge for the Hawks following Rich Nixon.

When the Hawks take the field next football season, Van T. Vanatta will lead the charge onto the field. Vanatta has been officially hired as the Hazelwood Central High School football coach. Earlier this year, Coach Rich Nixon announced his resignation for an assistant coach position at Lindenwood University. The Hazelwood School District Board of Education approved his hire during Tuesday night’s board meeting. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity,” Vanatta said in a press release. “It’s a new thing for me, even though I coached defense for a long time. I’m looking forward to a new challenge.” Vanatta has been involved with the Hawks on the football field previously, though, as their defensive coordinator. He also serves as varsity …

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Hawks' Undefeated Streak Comes to an End

CBC hands Hazelwood Central its first loss of the season.

It was just one of those days for the Hazelwood Central basketball team. The previously unbeaten Hawks came out flat and never recovered in dropping a 72-61 decision to Christian Brothers College (CBC) High School on Wednesday in a non-conference game at Central. Central, which won its first 14 contests by an average of 17.1 points per game, falls to 14-1. CBC improves to 14-4. "We weren't ready to go from the start," Central coach Josh Martin said. "I'll take the blame on this one. I didn't have the guys ready to go. I didn't do a good job." Part of the Hawks' woes can be attributed to the absence of senior guard Curtis Churchman, who has been suspended from the team according to Martin. The lightning-quick Churchman leads the club with …

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Central Boys’ Pass First Conference Test

Hawks avenge last season’s loss to Comets with 65-61 win.

The Hazelwood Central basketball team can take a deep breath and relax. The debt has been paid in full. The Hawks extracted a measure of revenge by rallying from a nine-point second-half deficit to knock off rival McCluer 65-61 on Thursday in the Suburban North Conference opener for both schools before a standing room only crowd at McCluer High. Central, which remains unbeaten at 11-0, got even for the time being with the defending league champion Comets, who upset Central 63-56 in a game that decided the conference title last February. The heartbreaking loss stunned the Hawks, who would eventually lose to McCluer North days later in the first round of post-season play. "We definitely owed them something," said Central senior Trae Anderson…

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Off of the Sidelines

Undefeated Hawks Look to Build on Current Success

Hazelwood Central has beaten some tough opponents and wants to continue the trend.

The Hazelwood Central boys basketball team was touted as one of the top teams in the state before the current season started. Experts picked the Hawks to challenge with the return of seniors Jordan Wilson and Curtis Churchman. Hazelwood Central has not disappointed their fans with a 10-0 start and some impressive wins over tough competition. Hazelwood Central won the Meramec Holiday Festival Tournament on Thursday by defeating De Smet in the title game, 78-46. The Hawks had earlier wins over St. Charles West, University City and Vianney. The real surprise for the Hawks has been the play of senior Tre Anderson. Last season, he averaged 6.5 points per game. This year, he is leading the team averaging 16.5 points a game. "Tre is a very …

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Hawks Win Meramec Holiday Championship

Third time's the charm as Hazelwood Central defeats De Smet

Nobody doubted whether Hazelwood Central deserved the top-seeding at the 33rd annual Meramec Holiday Festival basketball tournament, but after two years of being the favorite and finishing runner-up, the Hawks weren't taking any chances. After a closely played opening quarter, Hazelwood Central launched a devastating attack on third-seeded De Smet on their way to a more than convincing 78-46 victory. "We did a great job opening it up after the second quarter … our team has one goal in mind and that's to win ballgames," said Hazelwood Central coach Josh Martin. "We don't care who scores, we don't care who plays, we just want to get the job done." De Smet needed no additional challenges ahead of its contest with the Hawks, but the Spartans …

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Central Boys Heads to Semifinal Round of Meramec Tournament

Hawks take down University City Lions in Tuesday night game.

The top-seeded Hazelwood Central Hawks marched into the semifinal round of the Meramec Holiday Tournament by defeating the University City Lions Tuesday night, 85-57. Hazelwood Central seniors Trae Anderson and Cody Fondren lead the scoring assault by amassing 17 points in the victory. Fondren provided direction for the Hawks early in the contest with four field goals in the first quarter as the Hawks jumped out to an 18-5 lead. A jumper by Lions' senior Prince Cody helped University City's cause, but as the first quarter ended, Central was solidly in charge with a 24-8 advantage. University City's Trevon Williams, who led all scorers with 27 points on the night, kept the Lions in the game contributing several athletic layups throughout …

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HC Girls Takes Down Oakville

Team prepares for strong appearance in Visitation Academy Tournament.

The Hazelwood Central Hawks tuned up for the 36th annual Visitation Academy Christmas Tournament by posting a business-like 56-28 win over Oakville on Tuesday night at Central. Sophomore guard Alexis Chappelle led the way with 14 points. Senior forward Erika Beard and junior center Alyssia Winston added 10 points each. Central started slowly and couldn't get untracked offensively until the second half. But Beard and Co. shined at the defensive end throwing a blanket over the Tigers from start to finish. Oakville (1-6) was held to single digits in each of the four quarters. "It's a little frustrating that we started out the way we did," said Central coach Wendy Reeves. "But we made some adjustments at half and came out and played better.' …

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Central Girls Wins Season Opener

Hawks go on hot streak in second half to pass Webster Groves.

WEBSTER GROVES - Senior guard KeAris Vaughn and her teammates on the Hazelwood Central girls basketball team had seen enough of one another. After a full month of practices, scrimmages and conditioning drills, the Hawks were ready to be cut loose. "We just wanted to go out and play somebody," Vaughn said. "Anybody. We had enough of practice." The ready-to-go Hawks took out their frustrations with a strong 59-49 season-opening victory over Webster Groves on Tuesday night. Vaughn led a balanced attack with 19 points. Sophomore guard Alexis Chappelle chipped in with 14 points and junior center Alyssia Winston added 11 points. Senior forward Ericka Beard pulled down a game-high 14 rebounds. Central, one of the last teams in the state to begin …

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Passing the Baton

With end of football season, Hawks prepare for future with less veterans.

Senior wide receiver/linebacker A.J. Chappelle officially brought one of the most successful eras in Hazelwood Central football to a close late Saturday night. Minutes after the Hawks lost to Kansas City Rockhurst 10-7 in the Class 6 Show-Me Bowl, Chappelle, one of the team's leaders all season, addressed his underclassmen teammates in the bowels of the Edward Jones Dome. "It's your turn now," he said. "We're handing off the torch." The future Hawks will have a difficult time keeping pace with this current senior class. Central won the state title in 2008 and 2009 and was looking to become only the eighth team in history to capture three consecutive titles. The Hawks (13-1) fell short of that goal, but they compiled a 38-3 mark throughout …

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Hazelwood Central Goes for Three

Hawks hope to add a 20-game winning streak and three-time state champs to resume.

The Hazelwood Central football team has felt the pressure ever since the first day of practice back in August. And the Hawks have enjoyed every minute of it. Central, the two-time defending Class 6 state champion, revels in the role of the  "team to beat." "Every game we play, it's big for the other team because they want to be the ones that say they beat us," said senior running back Tra Brown. "So we get their best effort. We kind of like that." The Hawks (13-0) have one more step in their attempt to a state three-peat. They take on Kansas City's Rockhurst High School (13-0) in the state championship game Saturday at 6:30 p.m. inside the Edward Jones Dome in downtown St. Louis. So far, the Central players have handled the pressure with a…

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