Back-to-back champs.

But The Gregory School Hawks, unlike last year, also had their backs against the wall this season.

Injuries, including a season ending injury to their best player, Justus Turner, the only senior on the team, and illnesses forced some young Hawks to grow up quickly.

But the ups and downs toughened the Hawks, turning them into champions again after defeating Seligman 67-57 in Friday’s 1A final at Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

“To be honest we had a lot of fight and a lot of people grew up,” The Gregory School’s Jackson Dickinson said.

Last year, Dickinson hit the eventual game-winning shot in his team’s 55-52 championship victory over North Valley Christian.

On Friday, the sharpshooter led his team with 22 points, including six timely three-pointers.

Dickinson is one of the juniors, along with Devin Dawson (14 rebounds, 12 points) and Ben Head (12 points), who really stepped up and decided they wanted to do something special, coach Craig Everson said.

“They took turns,” Everson said. “They were selfless. We also had a freshman, Chase Butler, who became our best on ball defender and brought a level of toughness that we really needed.”

The season long transformation eventually allowed Everson’s squad to persevere in some tough battles late in the season.

The Hawks (24-10) avenged their only 1A loss in the first round, when they defeated Baboquivari 45-42. In Friday’s final, Seligman took control early and led 18-15 after the first quarter.

But the Hawks responded with a 24-point second quarter and were up by 18 points in the third. Seligman (24-8) is also a success story.

The program hadn’t participated in a final since 2006. With players from the Hualapai Reservation on the team, Seligman had the crowd support on its side.

Only nine players suit up for Seligman and about six play the majority of the minutes. Carmelo Manakaja (28 points) and Montae Walker (10 points, 8 boards) helped put Seligman back on the basketball map during their four years at the school.

“Even though we’ve been through tough times,” Manakaja said, “we’ve been in the gym grinding and putting in work. And now we are here. Hard work pays off.”

Seligman didn't return home empty handed. (Photo Jose Garcia/AZPreps365)