Since she was in eighth grade, Hiland senior Hilary Weaver knew she was going to be the Lady Hawks' starting point guard.

It's that drive and determination that made the 5-foot-7 Weaver one of the best players in Division IV.

"Hilary Weaver knew as an eighth-grader what she wanted five years from then," Hiland coach Dave Schlabach said.  "She has always known what she's wanted.  And that is a great quality to have."

Weaver combined for 32 points and 12 assists last week and was named the Divsion IV Associated Press Eastern District Player of the Year as Hiland rolled to yet another regional tournament.

"This was about the time last year when she really cranked things up a notch," said Schlabach, who also received Eastern District honors, taking home the Coach of the Year award.

"She has understood all year that it's not about her putting up a lot of points - even though she's very capable," the Hiland coach added.  "When districts hit, and it's time to win, she's going to do whatever it takes."

Against Beallsville in the district semifinal, the Lehigh University recruit eclipsed the 1,000 career point plateau, scoring 12 points with six assists.

And then in the district championship against IVC rival Strasburg, Weaver cranked things up another notch, scoring 20 points with six assists and nine steals.

On the season, Weaver, who always looked up to Hiland great Launa Hochstetler, is scoring 14.5 ppg with 7.7 apg.  She tied a state record with 21 assists earlier this season against Tuscarawas Central Catholic.

Schlabach said Weaver is a "pure point guard," who is always putting her team first.

"That's her mentality," the 19-year Hiland coach said.  "The other night, she had six assists and no turnovers.  She played almost the entire game and didn't turn the ball over.  That's an amazing feat.

"It's one thing if you're walking the ball up the floor and have those numbers, but we run such a fast-paced game and make decisions on the fly.  That's a challenge for a point guard to end the game with no turnovers."

Communication is another area, Schlabach said, where Weaver has excelled.

"The point guard position is the most demanding position in our program - it always has been," he said.  "We demand a lot from a leadership standpoint...  She has been one of the best."