From March Madness to sadness, Utica's Hawkins experiences emotional roller-coaster with RMU

Former Proctor standout Jalen Hawkins helped the Colonials to an NEC title and would-be trip to the NCAA Tournament before it was cancelled due to coronavirus.

The full range highest of highs to the l complete elation from one former local bou want to know t who experienced the ke - just ask utica native jalen madness was cancelled.

Goodt of ng!

Within 48 hours my father and my family and basketball team went tica.

It's been a few years since break.

If you want to knn the court here at proctor - just ask utica natives of utica.

It's been a few years since we've seen jalen hawkins on the court here at proctor high school - but utica has been with him through every step of his journey.

Jalen hawkins: it's my city i was born and for ool - but utica has bebeen wite - hawkins just completed his first season of n-c-a-a division one basketball - for robert morris university.

Jalen hawkins: the first year of division one basketball was a major success.

I had to come in and learn how to play the game of basketball the right way and my coach had faith in me to teach me the right way and it was an amazing experience.

On march tenth - the colonials beat saint francis on e-s-p-n to capture the n-e-c tournament title and punch their ticket to the n- c-a-a tournament.

Jalen hawkins: it was a great experience it was a lot of attention during the game and we just had to stay positive and stay fighting throughout the game.

That celebration was cut short.

Just two days later - on march 12 - the n-c-a-a announced it would be cancelling this year's tournament due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Jalen hawkins: that was a major disappointment to me and my team especially our seniors who are and major deals.

Reak.

Jalen hawkins: tnt is a major land way do you u have everybody pay their way to get seen by scout and major deals.

Did coach say anything to you?

Jalen hawkins: he told us s to stay positive and to always stay in the gym just come in an exercise up no matter what happens just stay positive.

With the abrupt end to this year - hawkins is taking his coach's advice.

He's committed to working hard in the summer so that next year - his march madness dream can become a shots next year and better shots.

It's a lot of in the summer so tait for it to come up.

Madness dream can become a