Most recently, the Hawks added a NSW State Championship to their collection, which already included a Southern Junior League title, NSW John Martin Country Tournament crown and Country Champions League trophy.

The pair added the fourth title to the trophy cabinet by defeating the Sydney Comets 57-51 in the final at the Maitland Federation Centre.

“I think we played really well as a team at state,” Costain said.

“Our game is based on great defence and we carried it out as a team, which won us the gold medal.

“It means a lot to win the state championship.

“We did it two years ago and this year had the reward of playing for a spot in the Australian Club Championships.

“It shows how much our team has grown together the past three seasons and we’ve been rewarded by being the number one NSW team.”

Pearman, 13, echoed the thoughts of his team mate Costain.

“In Maitland, I was nervous the first couple of games, as it was my first time playing at such a high level,” Pearman said.

“Come the semi-final time, my nerves were gone and I started to enjoy it.

“Our team started really strong in all our games, which helped and I think we definitely held our own against the bigger boys.

“It’s a pretty awesome feeling to know your team is the number one in the state, especially going into nationals with that title.”

As mentioned earlier, victory in Maitland chalked up the Hawks 33rd win for the season, which Costain said was incredible.

“It is pretty special not to lose a game all year,” he said.

“We’ve worked so hard for this, hopefully we can continue our form at nationals.

“Our team has grown so much – when we are on the court, we know what our strengths are and what our teammates can do.

“Our coach Simon has put so much work and belief into us that it gives us all great confidence.

While Costain has played with most of his squad in previous seasons, Pearman is a new addition to the team.

“I’m new to the team this year – it was scary making the move to Illawarra but I don’t look back now,” Pearman said.

“I have been really lucky that all the boys have been so good to me and it’s not always easy for a team who has played together for so long to have someone new come in but I think I have fit in well and we have really gelled together.

“We seem to get stronger the harder the competition.”

The pair will now lead their Hawks side to Kilsyth, Victoria, where the red and white will contest the 2018 under 14s Australian Club Championship Nationals.

While in Victoria, from October 1-6, Illawarra are in pool C, where they face Willetton Tigers (Western Australia), Cairns Marlins (Queensland) and Warrnambool Seahawks (Victoria).

“Heading into nationals, my hopes are that we get through the first lot of pool games in the top two, which then puts them into the top eight in Australia,” Costain said.

“From there, that’s when you start playing finals basketball, meaning anything can happen.”