BERLIN — Visiting Malvern was in the holiday spirit of giving Saturday afternoon at the Perry Reese Jr. Community Center, and the Lady Hawks were the gleeful recipients.

The Hornets turned the ball over 16 times in the first quarter alone and Hiland turned those miscues into easy, uncontested buckets en route to exterminating the Hornets 70-18.

McKenzie Miller did most of the damage, picking up one steal after another (seven in all) and converting at the opposite end. The junior scored 10 in the first quarter and finished with 25 points, including three 3-pointers. Miller connected on 10-of-13 shots from the field. She also dished out five assists.

"McKenzie came out and made play after play to start the game off," said Hiland coach Dave Schlabach. "That's the type of play we need out of her. That is her role."

Hiland led 21-5 after the opening eight minutes, closing the quarter on a 14-0 run. The Hawks continued to pour on the points in the second quarter, pounding the ball inside to the post when not scoring off transition, opening up a 41-11 lead at intermission.

Hannah Stoneman (eight points), Bria Coil (five points) and Jasmine Goings (four points) all contributed on the blocks for the Hawks.

"Our posts played like they wanted it," Schlabach said. "I thought they actually drove the basketball, and finished. All three of them were active and confident and ran the floor well."

A 17-2 blitz in the third quarter had Hiland ahead 56-13 heading into the final frame.

"I thought our concentration level was a lot better yesterday in practice, and that carried over into today," Schlabach said. "I think we're getting to the point where kids are realizing they would like to be out there, and they are starting to compete for spots. They hadn't been doing that. All of a sudden, they are realizing that I am going to play whoever performs. Kids are fighting for spots right now, and they've got to make me play them.

"The competition is on," the coach continued. "We've got one kid up here and about eight right here. That should really make our practices a lot more competitive."

Joining Miller in double figures for the winners was freshman Regina Hochstetler with 10. Nine different players scored in all for the Hawks.

"I thought our point guard play was a lot better today," Schlabach said. "We only had one turnover from our point guards at halftime, and our goal is eight or less, right now, between the two of them. For Jenica (Schrock) starting her first game, I thought she played well. Defensively, she really does a super job. She creates some havoc out there."

Schrock dished out six assists, as did backcourt mate Kendra Schlabach. The freshman also added five points and three steals.

Hiland improved to 2-0 on the young season and will be tested this coming week with games against Tuscarawas Central Catholic Wednesday at home and at Ridgewood next Saturday.

"Both of those teams will be undefeated when we see them," Schlabach said.