BERLIN -- It was still a joyous occasion at Hiland High School Thursday, when four members of the girls basketball team were honored for earning scholarships to attend colleges and play basketball starting next year.

Unfortunately, only three will be able to play their senior seasons for the Hawks.

In a recent practice, guard Mykeila "Mike" Mast tore the ACL in her knee and will have to miss the season. If there's a good part, it's that Ohio Dominican is honoring the full ride it offered her. She was joined at the Thursday ceremony in the lobby of the Perry Reese Jr. Community Center by Katelyn Stuckey, who will also join her at Ohio Dominican next year, Hilary Weaver, who will attend Div. I Lehigh, and Bowling Green signee Noelle Yoder.

The four scholarship players give the Hiland program 32 players who have gone on to play collegiately since 1993, with the total value of the scholarships during that time period worth in excess of $3 million.

But, Hiland coach Dave Schlabach said, "These kids are not here because of the program, but because of hard work.

"It comes down to the individual," Schlabach added. "These kids make sacrifices, put in extra time and effort, and gave up a lot of things to be sitting up here today."

Mast had a wide smile Thursday, but knows it will be tough to watch as her teammates chase the school's fifth state title since 2000. Hiland was second last year after winning it in 2008.

"I just want to stay happy," said Mast, the daughter of Paul and Louella Mast. "I want to be an encourager, I don't want to bring the team down. And of course, I put the team first -- it's about the team, not me. Hopefully, everyone can use it as motivation."

Mast chose Ohio Dominican, a Div. II school in Columbus, in part for its proximity to Holmes County.

"It's not too far away," she said, "and the coach is really nice, so is the campus. I also wanted a place where I didn't have to give 100 percent of my time to basketball, I was looking for somewhere I could focus on school, too."

Stuckey follows in the footsteps of sister Lindsay, who played collegiately at St. Francis.

"I wanted to get the big-city feel, and it's only two hours from home," said Stuckey, a post player and the daughter of Randy and Marybeth Stuckey. "I really liked the coaching staff, they seemed like they really cared a lot about the players, and it's a relaxed place."

When Weaver, the daughter of Vic and Tammy Weaver, was in middle school, she watched Hiland players Leah and Launa Hochstetler sit at the same table and sign Div. I scholarships, much like the younger girls watched her Thursday.

"You never think you'll be in their shoes," the All-Ohio point guard said. "I just feel so blessed."

Lehigh, In Bethlehem, Pa., is a member of the Patriot League and was 26-7 and an NCAA tournament qualifier last season.

"That appealed to me," Weaver said, "and it's unbelievable academically, which is really important. That made it the total package."

Yoder said she got "that feeling" when she was on Bowling Green's campus, and the location was another factor. "I didn't want to go that far from here," said Yoder, the daughter of Bud Yoder and Kelly Scott.

BG has won five consecutive Mid-American titles and was 29-5 a year ago, getting into the NCAA tourney.

"My goal is to get to play my freshman year," said Yoder, who was recruited as a shooting guard. "And I really loved the staff and players there.

"This is just awesome," she added of the school's signing ceremony. "I'm excited for everyone else."

Schlabach pointed out that a fifth Hiland senior, Jessica Stutzman, would likely be a scholarship player if not for the leg injuries that limit her playing time. "There would definitely be a fifth chair up here," he said.

"None of this comes easy, I hope the younger kids realize this," Schlabach told the audience. "We've had 32 signees in 17 years, but what we love about the list is that our kids are no different than high school kids at any other high school around here.

"They're not bigger or stronger, just a tremendous amount of hard workers. This group alone, it's nice that they've put themselves in this situation."