Hawthorne Christian Defenders (Hawthorne, NJ) backers were in high spirits Friday as they witnessed their basketball squad thwart the visiting Marion P. Thomas (Newark, NJ), 60-40 in a non-league bout.

With the win, Hawthorne Christian upgrades its record to 5-14 on the season. The Defenders host Hawthorne (Hawthorne, NJ) to play the Bears in a non-league bout on Thursday, February 8. The Bears go into the bout with a record of 9-8. Hawthorne lost 41-33 in their recent non-league challenge against Wayne Hills (Wayne, NJ)

Next up, the confront the People's Prep (Newark, NJ) in a non-league challenge, on Wednesday, February 7. Marion P. Thomas will attempt to improve on its 5-11 season record.