In so few words, Garaway girls' basketball coach Scott Bardall summed up this year's version of the Hiland Hawk hoops team.

"They're good," he exclaimed after his team's 61-40 loss at the Perry Reese Jr. Community Center.

Simple.  To the point.  And true.

With the score tied 17-17 in the second quarter and senior Division I signee Hilary Weaver struggling with two fouls and no points, Hiland dug deep into its amazingly deep bench and put on a 15-5 run over the Pirates that ended the half with the hosts leading 32-22.  They would only cruise from there, outscoring Garaway 17-9 in the third quarter and 12-9 in the fourth to remain undefeated.

"They have enough players that they can wear you down," Bardall said.  "They're physically stronger.  There's not a team that gets to the Division III state tournament this year that is as good as them."

Hiland coach Dave Schlabach said his team stepped up when it had to.

"For us to be up at halftime the way we were, with Hilary making two really stupid fouls and playing two JV kids, I'll take that," said the successful mentor.  "We expect our kids to step up when they're called on and they did."

Noelle Yoder, yet another Division I signee, headed to Bowling Green, was a one-girl wrecking crew to the tune of 25 points.  Katelyn Stuckey took care of the business underneath, dominating with 16 points and five rebounds.

"She is so sound fundamentally, " said Schlabach of the 5-foot-11 Stuckey.  "Our guards are all the flash with Hil (Weaver) and Noelle, but Kate is the workhorse and we're going to miss her next year.  She just makes layups and hits free throws."

Bardall said the Hawks presented a tough wrinkle inside.

"For the first time since I've been here, they really look inside and really utilize Stuckey," said Bardall.  "She does a really nice job finishing plays."

Hiland also got eight points and three rebounds from Jessica Stutzman and eight big points from sophomore McKenzie Miller, who hit a pair of 3-pointers in the second quarter and also contributed four boards.  Hannah Stoneman also contributed four boards off the bench.

Garaway was led by Kristen Troyer with 16 points.  She was limited to just three free throws in the second half after hitting for 13 in the first half.  Sarah Bardall added seven points and three rebounds and freshman Anya Misko tallied six points and five boards off the bench.

"Anya's a really raw, athletic kid who wants to get better," said Bardall.  "She wants to be good, and with her raw athleticism, she's really improving with every game."

The win enabled Hiland to stay unbeaten at 6-0 in both the Inter-Valley Conference and overall while the loss was Garaway's first against five league wins and six overall wins.

"How many teams can come at you with two Division I guards and a Division II post player (Stuckey)," Bardall asked.  "I'm very proud because I thought our kids played very, very hard and we're a better team now."