Effort highlights Lady Hawks 52-44 CitC win over Tecumseh

By DAVE MAST
holmescountyTICKET.com

Brittany Miller sprinted across court, perfectly timing her pursuit of a Tecumseh pass. Miller swatted away the would-be fast-break pass, then lunged after the ball as it careened out of bounds. She didn’t quite save it, then headed up the aisle past super-fan Piney Hershberger.

Miller’s hustle drew the respect and appreciation of everyone in attendance.

That was the kind of effort the Lady Hawks got all evening in defeating powerful Tecumseh 52-44 in front of a packed house in the final game of Classic in the Country Monday, Jan. 19 at the Reese Center in Berlin.

Megan Beachy scored 21 points to pace the Lady Hawks, and Hiland was as consistent as a team can be, scoring 13 points in every single quarter to fend off a spirited rally attempt by the Arrows.

It was a grand finale to a weekends worth of great competition.

“The atmosphere at The Classic is unbelievable, and it is something I love to play in,” said Miller. “I knew our shots weren’t falling at first, so I wanted to lead our team by just playing hard.”

On this night they would have to in order to maintain a lead against a quality opponent with some superstar athletes, including Lindsey Nartker, who proved to be a tough assignment for the Lady Hawks to defend.

“For whatever reason, amazingly she has been the one kid this season we have had a tough time with,” said Hiland coach Dave Schlabach of Nartker. She’s smart, she’s strong, inside-outside, good at the free throw line, and we had several kids in foul trouble because of her.”

Hiland got out early on Kennedy Schlabach’s jumper and Rachel Horn’s three. Tecumseh eventually fought back to within 7-6, but a pair of 3-pointers from Alex Troyer and Schlabach gave Hiland a 13-9 first quarter edge.

Nartker would draw the Arrows to within 16-15 with a pair of free throws in the second half, but eight points from Beachy and a pair of free throws form Sarah Keim helped Hiland forge a 26-18 half-time advantage.

Hiland won the third quarter 13-12, much of that coming from Beachy, and every time Tecumseh chopped away at the Hiland lead, the Lady Hawks seemed to have the answer.

In the fourth quarter the answer became Angie Troyer, who was quiet most of the game, before exploding for a quick three and a bucket on a drive to make it 44-33 Hiland.

The Arrows would draw to within six at 48-42 with one minute to play, but would never really challenge, as Troyer connected on three free throws late to salt this one away.

“I thought our pressure was good, we turned them over 22 times,” said Schlabach. “Our depth was a factor.

We played 11 or 12 kids in the first half, and 13 overall. That was a regular rotation. We need them. If we don’t have depth we get beat.”

Coupled with a spirited contest with Reynoldsburg earlier in the tournament, the two games provided a great challenge for Hiland. Schlabach said they approach these games like they are Regional contests, because these are the kinds of teams the Lady Hawks will have to overcome to reach their hopeful destination in Columbus.

“This was the last game of The Classic my senior year,” said Beachy. I knew I was going to regret it if I didn’t go leave it all out there and give it everything I had. That’s what we did.”

Despite losing the rebounding battle for the first time this season, Schlabach said he was pleased with the tenacity shown by his team again. Alex Troyer, once again led Hiland in rebounding with seven, with the Arrows winning the battle on the glass 36-28.

“Alex played big again for us,” said Schlabach. “What a squirrel. She just goes and gets them, and comes up with rebounds. She’ll hurt anyone out there to get a rebound, even her own players.”

Without a superstar, this Hiland team continues to show what team basketball and heart is all about.

Beachy said this team plays the game together as one, for each other, and that has made this season, which now sees the Lady Hawks at 13-0, such a great joy.