HEBRON
BOYS BASKETBALL
"HAWK NEST"
The new Hebron School was built in time for the 1914-15 school year. One of the many new features of the school was a gymnasium, which was located in the basement. Although the dimensions and seating capacity pale in comparison by today's standards, the gym was known as "the grand new gym of Porter County". The Valparaiso Vidette reported that many other schools of the time played in what might be termed "cow barns". The gym had a seating capacity of 108, although 200 were reported as being crowded in on some occasions. The ceiling was only 14 feet high and the floor measured 29'x59'. The playing surface was asphalt. The first reported home game was February 19, 1915 against LaCrosse. Admission for the game was 15 cents. No results were published. On March 1, 1915, Hebron entertained Lowell, losing 12-40. The first home win was the following season. Hebron beat LaCrosse 46-25 on October 15, 1915. The last home game for this gym was played on February 17, 1939. Hebron beat Kouts 28-17 to end the 25 year history of Hebron's first gym.
When the new school was built on Main Street before the 1939-40 school year, the team also got a new home. As 700 people gathered to witness the dedication of the new gym, Hebron beat Kouts by the score of 26-24. The new spacious environment proved troublesome for both teams. It was reported that, "Hebron found their new gym a difficult puzzle as time and again they shot high over the backboard." Kouts didn't fare much better, connecting on only 6 of 20 free throws. The dimensions of the new gym were 48'x75', with a regulation 23' ceiling. This gym ran north and south with bleachers along the west sideline. There was also a balcony on the west side of the gym. The east side had the scoring table, player benches and a new electric scoreboard that was purchased by the class of 1940. The 1940 team finished 10-1 at home. Six other teams finished their seasons with only 1 home loss. The 1962-63 team was the only full season team to finish undefeated at home (9-0). From 1969-72, Hebron played most of their games on the road. Ten home games were played during the 4 year period, with Hebron winning all ten. The highest margin of victory at home was during the 1962-63 season (+26.1), while the 1953-54 team outscored their opponents by 22.1 points per game. The 1964-65 team beat Morocco 112-52, to post the highest score in the history of this gym. Overall, Hebron felt very comfortable at home. During the 33 years of playing in this gym, Hebron was 174-95 (.647) and outscored their opponents by 5.6 points per game.
Hebron spent the next year and a half on the road while the gym was being renovated. The only links to the old gym were the west bleachers and balcony. The difference was that they were now located on the west end line of the court instead of the west sideline. The court was now running east and west. Bleachers were also on both sidelines and the locker rooms were at the east end with a balcony over them. Hebron would continue its home court advantage during the 32 seasons of this gym. The 1981, 82, 85, 90, and 94 teams all went undefeated at home. The 1990 team outscored their opponents by a record 38.7 points per game while the 1994 team scored a record 114 points in a game. Overall Hebron had a .663 winning percentage at home, going 181-92, while outscoring their opponents by 8.0 points per game.
Hebron constructed a brand new school prior to the 2005-06 school year. With the new school came another new home for the Hawks. The new gym runs north and south with bleachers on both end lines as well as both sidelines. Their is also a balcony on the west sideline. In nineteen seasons, Hebron has posted a 136-79 record (.633), while outscoring their opponents by 6.5 points per game. The 2011-12 team went undefeated at home with a 13-0 record. The 2023-24 team was 11-1 in the nest and outscored their opponents by a record 24.3 points per game.