During four State championship game seasons, the Hiland Lady Hawks have compiled a tremendous 95-19 mark, laying waste to an array of opponents in the tournament that led them all the way to the Division IV State finals

There, it was not a fairy tale ending to four fantastic seasons, the final tally in each looks something like this:

2009: Columbus Africentric 55, Hiland 46
2010: Harvest Prep 45, Hiland 41
2012: Arlington 52, Hiland 37
2013: Fort Loramie 57, Hiland 42

Between 2000 and 2008, the Hiland Lady Hawks had accumulated four State titles, a span during which the only State appearance that ended in a loss was the 2004 team, which fell to Minster in the semifinals.

That wave of success included the school's first girls state title, a 46-30 thrashing of Marion Local in 2000, a 55-47 thriller over Ottoville in 2005, 2006's tight 59-54 win over East Canton and the memorable 44-37 victory over Columbus Africentric in 2008.

Since then it has been bridesmaid finishes for the Lady Hawks.

While most teams would drool to have that kind of a resume on their school's girls basketball program, or any program for that matter, for Hiland head coach Dave Schlabach and his Lady Hawks, finishing runner-up is simply not good enough.

Yes, it is a tremendous acheivement to get that far, to find themselves playing in a final game of the year for a Division IV State championship.

However, the memories of falling short and failing to win that final game the past four attempts has left a sour taste, and Schlabach said it is time to move beyond that.

"We have to get that mentality that we aren't going to be satisifed with runner-up again," said Schlabach. "It is something that can only come from within, and I think this group has what it takes to make that happen"

While the losses sting, and the drive to put those runner-up finishes behind them is emblazoned in their minds and hearts, Schlabach said that they will never take for granted all of the fine accomplishments of these teams in the past, nor will they ever take for granted the very fact that they have worked hard enough, and have earned the right to play in that championshi0 game.

"You never know when this time might be the last time,: said Schlabach. "Our kids have worked incredibly hard to put themselves into a position to get to that championship game, and they deserve to enjoy it, and should be appluaded for that achievement.

"It is a big deal to get to Columbus and play on that stage, but that won't ever stop us from working that much harder to go one step further and win more titles. We cherish every conferene title, every Sectional, District and Regional championship. We don't take any of it for granted, because you never know when it might all come to an end."

It is that kind of attitude, and that kind of desire which keeps these Lady Hawk teams hungry.

Even as they roll through a light conference schedule which has seen them collect 18 consecutive conference titles, and even as they destroy all challengers in having amassed 19 straight Sectional crowns, and nine out of 10 of the last District titles, there is no taking anything for granted, no taking any challenge lightly for this program.

That is why the objective of getting off this runner-up ride is so important to the coach and to his players.

They will have 22 games to prepare for the second season. Then it will be what they hope will accumulate to an eight-game winning streak to end the season.

That is the only positive, sure-fire way they can get off this runner-up roller coaster ride.