The Mohawk High boys basketball team cleared another hurdle Friday night.
The Warriors snapped a 29-game section losing streak with a 62-54 WPIAL Section 1-3A victory at New Brighton.

The last time Mohawk won a section game was Feb. 7, 2014 — nearly three years ago. The Warriors (1-3 section, 3-11 overall) broke a 42-game overall losing skein with a 68-55 win over Freedom on Dec. 22.

"The kids were really pumped," Mohawk second-year coach Nick Marmo said. "Not only was it a road game, but it was a section game.

"We're definitely moving in the right direction. We don't have as many wins as we'd like, but these wins have helped the kids stay in the moment. It's much easier to come to practice and keep working hard when you win a few.

"We try to celebrate the little things, but sometimes it's hard for a 15-, 16-, 17-year-old to keep believing unless they see some results," he added. "Well, they're starting to see them now and it sure is a good feeling for all of us."

Joey Hervatine paced Mohawk with 22 points, including for 3-pointers, while Aaron Novad added 13 markers and Nate McCutcheon nine.

Mohawk trailed 31-26 at the half.

"I think the first momentum started to swing our way midway through the second quarter," Marmo said. "We stopped turning the ball over and were making better passes. Nate McCutcheon broke the press for us several times and Joey Hervatine made some shots.

"And Aaron Novad took three charges at key times," he added. "He sacrificed his body for the team and that pumped everyone up."

The Warriors led 51-49 after three quarters, before the Lions (0-4, 2-9) tied it early in the fourth.

"We started slowly pulling away then," Marmo said. "It was nice to see our kids not give that momentum away. They got it and they kept it, which proved that they're getting to know how to win."