Daily Record Sports Writer
BERLIN—Hiland gave the Hoover Vikings everything it had, but it wasn't enough, as the Hawks came up short 49-45 in the finale of the Classic in the Country Challenge.
A lot of that had to do with the play of Hoover's sophomore post Julie Worley, who came off the bench to pour in 25 points on 12-of-13 shooting.
"This is what we see every day in practice," said Hoover coach Tim Vick. "We're usually pretty balanced, with five kids in double figures. Twenty-five is her high game."
And not a better stage to perform on than in front of a packed house at the Perry Reese Jr. Community Center.
"It feels great to finally finish all my layups," the sophomore said. "Our guards made really good passes to me."
The play of Worley had Hiland coach Dave Schlabach again shaking his head.
"We didn't play physical in the post -- 12-of-13. Wow! They ought to give her the game ball," Schlabach said.
It was a pair of Worley hoops that gave Hoover the lead down the stretch after Hiland climbed out of a 41-34 hole in the third quarter.
A McKenzie Miller 3-pointer ignited an 11-2 run to open the fourth quarter that pulled Hiland even with the Vikings at 43-apiece with five minutes left in the game.
After a Hoover turnover, Sasha Goings drove in for a bucket to give Hiland its first lead since early in the first quarter.
Four misses and a turnover later, and back-to-back baskets by Worley and the Vikings led 47-45 with 1:15 to play.
The Hawks turned it over again inside 30 seconds.
"The inconsistencies of our group is just killing us," Schlabach said. "Kenzie finally stepped up this game and played like she's capable (19 points, five rebounds). Emily (Yoder) had the game of her life (10 points), but the rest of the team was pretty much non-existent. I don't know what I'm getting on any given night.
"It's the same things that have killed us the last few games," the coach continued. "We had those three possessions where they face-guarded McKenzie and we couldn't get her the ball. I'm talking about our wings again. If those kids give us anything offensively ..."
Hoover jumped out to an 18-12 lead in the first quarter and held a 30-21 advantage at the half.
Emily Yoder scored a couple driving buckets and Miller struck again and the Hawks pulled to within seven, 41-34, after three periods of play.
"Hats off to Emily," Schlabach said. "That press was the best we've seen all year. She plays 20 minutes and only turned it over once. I was really pleased with her. Twice in the huddle, we called a play to just get out of Emily's way and let her go do something."
Schlabach was pleased with some aspects of the game, but overall, was disappointed.
"We outrebounded them (29-25), forced more turnovers (17-15) and made more free throws (9-6), and lose, because they made the big plays at the right time," Schlabach said. "We figure, out of the last 11 games of the season, we could lose eight. We have a challenge every night out. We just need to keep losing until we decide we don't like losing any more."
Things don't get any easier for the Hawks, who travel to Akron on Saturday to face the St. Vincent-St. Mary Fighting Irish.
" I don't know. I left the locker room and I couldn't tell you who my starting lineup is," Schlabach said. "Late in the game, I started grabbing kids off the bench who I thought really wanted to play. Sasha (Goings) goes out there makes a steal, gets a rebound, makes a shot. We've got to make a few changes and keep searching until we find out who wants to play."
Hiland dropped to 8-4 with the loss. The Vikings improved to 11-1.
"We've struggled with turnovers all year," Vick said. "I'm amazed we're 11-2 with the way we turn the ball over."
Of course, it doesn't hurt to have a player like Worley come off the bench to make up for those miscues.
"We have three really good posts, and I can only start two," he added.
