Lady Hawks tout unity, commitment on way to state title
Hiland seniors Gabby Schlabach, left, Zoe Miller, Kelsey Swihart, Brynn Mullet, Kyli Horn and Morgan Yoder enjoy the sweet taste of victory following Hiland’s run to a title. All of them talked about unity and commitment being the core reasons the team found success.
Consultant Ryan Taggart has worked with the Hiland Lady Hawks basketball team for several years on building their mental outlook to help them handle all types of obstacles that can crop up while playing any sport.
Following Hiland’s Div. III state championship win over Ottowa-Glandorf on Saturday, March 13 at Dayton University, Taggart, who met with the girls on a regular basis, offered his vision as to why this group has left their mark on the historic Hiland program.
“It is their investment,” Taggart said. “They invest so much individually to develop their skills so they can compete at a high level, but they do it as one united group. They have an understanding and a respect for each other, to see through some really tough times. Their connection has been built at such a young age. They have developed it, nurtured it and grown a healthy respect for each other that is extraordinary. These girls aren’t out there playing for themselves. They are playing for each other, and that is a very special thing.”
That commitment saw them tear apart the Lady Titans in the finals, systematically ripping out their will by laying down a defensive effort that was a total team effort. That allowed the Lady Hawks to celebrate an accomplishment that has been a long time coming for a group that had high expectations since its seniors came into the game as freshmen four years ago.
The following are some excerpts from team members and coaches that sum up exactly what this victory meant and what being a part of a group so committed to each other is like.
“We were so ready. We weren’t nervous, but we were excited because we knew we were prepared for this moment. We have wanted this state championship for a long time, and it feels so amazing to finally get one. We had the mind-set that we were not going to lose this game. It’s a dream come true.” —Zoe Miller
“These are tears of joy after getting one taken away last year. The build-up of this moment is so many emotions compiled into one.” —Morgan Yoder
“In the second quarter, we told each other if we keep playing like this, we are going to win it. I am so proud to be a part of this group because we have worked incredibly hard to get where we are, and to be able to celebrate here with a state title means so much to all of us.” —Brynn Mullet
“This is unbelievable. We have talked about this moment for six years now, and when that final horn went off, we finally realized we had achieved our goal of winning a state title. This is something we will remember the rest of our lives.” —Kyli Horn
“It was unbelievable to be able to experience this past season with these seniors, and especially my dad. To come off that court and to be able to give my dad a big hug was awesome.” —Gabby Schlabach
“It’s everything I have ever dreamed it would be. It is incredibly special, and I wouldn’t want to have gone through this experience with anyone else other than this group. It was hard just waiting to get the game started. We just wanted to go because we were ready, because we have the best coaching staff ever. We couldn’t have been more prepared to go out and win this thing, and nobody was going to take this away from us.” —Kelsey Swihart
“To me, it is about seeing them celebrate this accomplishment. This is about their journey and chasing that dream. It is fulfilling because I know they have worked so hard for it. It is mixed emotions for sure. It is rewarding and joyful, and we say we are going to celebrate, and we do celebrate these six seniors, especially with the way things ended last year. I have just been blessed to be a part of it all.” —David Borter, assistant
“This whole thing is a process, and it doesn’t happen overnight. People will never know the price these girls paid and the investment they made to get where they are today. They have worked so hard to earn this, and they deserve to celebrate this moment.” —Dave Schlabach, head coach
“A year ago this team was ready to win a state championship and didn’t get the opportunity. I commend this group. Because as tough as that was, they stayed really focused. We talk about a state championship every day. We think you have to talk about it to be able to achieve it. There is pain of discipline and pain of regret. We choose discipline. That’s the path we want to go down, and it is even harder to go win it in those years when you’re expected to win it. It took a lot of perseverance to do it.” —Dave Schlabach
There is always something special about winning a state championship, but when you do it with a group of teammates and coaches who have committed so much and have done so in the name of unity, it becomes a memory built on relationships that will last long after the points, the defense and the wins have come and gone.