Emotional roller coaster along the tournament trail

  • March 18, 2010
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Tournament time is a very trying time, not only for players, coaches and fans, but for media as well. I went from being extremely busy, with something to cover every night this week and the possibility of a Saturday doubleheader, to having no game on Friday, nothing Saturday afternoon and just barely getting a Saturday night affair. On back to back nights, I witnessed incredible basketball games, both involving Hiland. On Wednesday in the District semifinal against unbeaten Shadyside, I watched the Hawks play one of their best halves of basketball I saw all season as they opened up a 40-22 lead by intermission. In the first half Hiland out-hustled the Tigers, getting to every loose ball, playing tough defense and making big shots. That was hardly the case in the second half, where the Hawks missed every shot they took in the third quarter and the intensity of the Tigers picked up with each passing miss. Shadyside pulled even at 40-all as the third quarter ended and then rode the wave of momentum to victory, ending the season for Hiland. Reflecting on this game, one big bright spot for the Hawks is that they return the bulk of this year’s team for next season, when expectations surrounding the squad will probably be through the roof. On Thursday, the Lady Hawks played the team coach Dave Schlabach felt was the best in Division IV, and the Falcons of Lutheran East looked every bit as good as the veteran Hiland mentor said they would be. They hit 3-pointers, got second and third chance scoring opportunities thanks to their superior size advantage. Xavier-bound post player Latisha Walker was every bit of 6-3 and blocked three shots and altered several others as she clogged the middle and forced Hiland to live on the perimeter. Fortunately for Hiland fans, Noelle Yoder brought her A game from the 3-point line, connecting on five-of-10 shots from beyond the arc, including the game-tying buzzer beater that sent the game to overtime and the Hawks to the Regional championship. Noelle said she felt very good about taking the shot, but couldn’t have done it without the two perfect passes executed by teammates Jessica Stutzman and Hilary Weaver, and a pick from Katelyn Stuckey. “I didn’t even see it go in,” Yoder said. “I fell to the ground after I shot it and looked up and was like, ‘Wow, did that just happen?’” So the Hiland girls live to play another day while West Holmes girls and Hiland boys prepare for the spring sports seasons. I get to enjoy another exciting Regional affair and a trip to the State tournament. What more could a sports writer want?


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