It had been eight years since the Gibault High School boys basketball team had a 20-win season.

But on Saturday, Gibault surpassed that mark, becoming the first Hawks team to win more than 20 games in a season since 2002-03, when the team finished with a record of 25-3.

“We really felt like it was a year that we probably would have a good chance to get to 20 wins,” Gibault basketball coach Dennis Rueter said. “That’s kind of a marker for a high school program when you get to 20 wins.

“That kind of puts you up, a little bit, in special company.”

Win number 21 came against Wesclin (9-16) Saturday without too much trouble for the Hawks, who won 61-42 with Nick Row having another impressive showing of 13 points, five assists and 10 rebounds. Senior Matt Schreder had 13 points as well.

“The first half was pretty tight,” Rueter explained. “We hit a basket late in the first half to give us a little cushion and then we hit a basket late in the third quarter. We kind of got away from them a little bit.”

Gibault (21-5) has two remaining regular season games this week before going into the post season. And they could be serving up some entertaining basketball for their fans.

The Hawks look to face Alton-Marquette (17-7), who they previously lost to in one of the most exciting games of the season– a back-and-forth battle for the Freeburg/Columbia Holiday Tournament Championship.

“Obviously, it will be tough going up to Alton-Marquette. A long drive and a tough opponent,” Rueter said. “But that’s how you get better.” He added that the team wants to play competitive games going into the post season.

St. Pius X at home on Friday will be a good test and preparation for the postseason as well.

Rueter says he expects both to be close games this week.