ROCKWELL CITY — A tough start kept the South Hamilton boys from securing a win in the season opener here Tuesday night, as they fell to South Central Calhoun, 61-34.

The Titans raced out to a 17-7 advantage, leading by 22 at the break.

Luke Martensen scored a team-high nine to lead the Hawks (0-1 overall). Ben Swenson added eight points and Jose Babcock finished with five.

“It was a rough start, as turnovers and offensive rebounds really put us in a hole, and at this stage, we can’t climb out of it,” new South Hamilton head coach Jay Heeren said. “It’s going to take time and it’s hard to be patient as the kids want to win so bad and prove that they can.

“We have to get to know each other, figure out our own individual identity and put that together to form our team.”

Over the final eight minutes, the Hawks played South Central Calhoun even, as both scored 17 points in the fourth.

South Hamilton heads to Iowa Falls-Alden on Thursday and Nevada on Friday.