BERLIN -- Last year's 55-46 state final loss to Columbus Africentric still leaves a bitter taste in the Hiland girls basketball players' mouths.

It's a problem best remedied by taking home the Div. IV state title on Saturday.

But first, Hiland must beat Minster in a state semifinal in Ohio State's Value City Arena Friday at 1 p.m.

"All summer and fall leading up to the season, state was in the back of our minds," said Hawks point guard Hilary Weaver. "Coach (Rob) Moser printed pictures of Africentric celebrating, and us, obviously, not, and they're in our notebooks so we get a daily reminder. It's a feeling that never goes away, and I think we're more prepared this year to handle it differently."

Weaver, the two-time Div. IV Player of the Year, has done everything in her power to get Hiland back to the big show, pouring in 14.8 points per game and leading the Hawks in assists (7.6 per game) and steals (3.9 per game).

"Hilary has been running the show for four years and is definitely our leader," Hiland coach Dave Schlabach said of the 5-foot-7 senior, who will play for Lehigh next year.

Classmate and fellow Div. I signee Noelle Yoder is one of Weaver's go-to options, especially on the perimeter. Yoder, a 5-7 shooting guard who's committed to Bowling Green, is Hiland's top scorer at 17.8 points a game, including 60 3-pointers. The All-Ohio second-teamer also adds 4.1 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals per game.

Senior forward Katelyn Stuckey (8.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg) and guard Jessica Stutzman (6.2 ppg) are also key contributors, while the only underclassmen to start, McKenzie Miller (8.2 points, 4.9 rebounds per game), also holds her own.

"They have great guards who handle and shoot the ball well," said Minster coach Nann Stechschulte, whose team defeated Hiland 48-43 in a 2004 state semifinal. "We expect a well disciplined, fundamental team because that is the kind of team Dave runs. Everything they do is fundamentally sound."

Minster is also a very fundamental team, led by 5-10 junior Delanie Wolf, who averages 10.4 ppg.

A problem the Hawks will run into is the Wildcats' height -- especially with 6-2 sophomore Tara Clune, who averages five rebounds per game.

"We always know in order to have any success at Columbus you have to go through them or someone in their league," said Hiland coach Dave Schlabach. "They are so well prepared when it comes to tournament time, and I really feel like they are the team that has played the best out of anyone down there."

Both the Wildcats and Hawks have been plagued by injuries this season. Minster recently lost 5-11 junior Erica Fullencamp, who suffered a sprained ankle and did not play in the regional final against Riverdale. Her status for the semifinal game is day-by-day.

"It is a lower ankle sprain, so in that respect we are fortunate," Stechshulte said. "She can run straight, she just can't cut or jump."

Hiland took a blow when senior Mykeila Mast suffered a season-ending injury in the preseason.

"It's been an up and down year even though we have a lot of kids back," Schlabach said. "Injuries have changed things for us along the way. They have effected our athleticism and speed."

But it hasn't effected Hiland's drive and determination to take home the title this year.

"Last year, you'll remember that feeling forever," Yoder said of the Hawks' final loss. "We've used that as motivation, during those early morning workouts, the extra hours in the gym, anything extra -- we don't want that feeling again."