TimesReporter.com sports writer
BERLIN—The battle of the unbeatens turned into a one-sided affair.
State-ranked Hiland used an 11-0 third-quarter blitz to turn a close game into a lopsided one as the Hawks defeated Ridgewood 61-43 in an Inter-Valley Conference girls basketball showdown at the Reese Center on Saturday afternoon.
Hiland, ranked No. 2 in Division IV, improved to 11-0 overall and 9-0 in the league, while Ridgewood suffered its first loss and dropped to 11-1 overall and 7-1 in conference play.
Hiland freshman Kennedy Schlabach tallied 11 of her team-high 14 points in the third quarter, senior Megan Beachy added 13 and sophomore Angela Troyer chipped in nine as the Hawks got contributions from up and down their 13-player roster.
Ridgewood senior Amanda Lowery paced the Generals and all scorers with 17 points, and sophomore Audrey Tingle added 12 before fouling out late in the contest as eight players took the floor for the visitors.
Hiland led just 35-29 early in the third before going on its 11-0 run that made it 46-29 with 3:17 left in the period.
The Hawks took a 52-34 advantage into the final frame as they turned Ridgewood turnovers into points at the other end.
Hiland head coach Dave Schlabach was pleased with the way his entire team played.
“It was a very good team win,” Schlabach said. “We have good balance, and we wore them down enough to make some plays. The kids were really excited and ready to play. Ridgewood’s win Wednesday (over Garaway) really allowed us to not have to do much as coaches to get our kids ready to play.
“They knew what was on the line,” added the Hawks mentor. “We reminded them we have to go through the league again, but a lot of people thought we wouldn’t be sitting where we’re at.”
Schlabach was also impressed with the individual play of his freshman daughter at point guard.
“She’s done a really good job of running the show for us,” the elder Schlabach said. “She had five assists and only one turnover.”
Not to mention the big third quarter filling up the hoop. On the day, Schlabach was 6 of 10 from the floor and 2 of 4 from 3-point land for her 14 points.
Ridgewood head coach Doug Patterson felt his squad just ran out of steam in the second half.
“They’re a very good team,” Patterson said of Hiland. “We wanted to get the ball more into the post, but we just didn’t do it. They wore us down.”
Still, the Generals coach said there is plenty of basketball to be played.
“I think we’re still a good team,” Patterson said. “We’re 11-1, and I told them this isn’t the biggest game of our season. That will be later on in the tournament.”
Hiland led 13-11 after the opening quarter and was on top 33-25 at intermission.
The Hawks made 20 of 47 shots from the field and sank 12 of 14 free throws. The Generals were 12 of 32 from the floor and 17 of 24 from the line as Lowery was 9 of 12 and Tingle was 5 of 7.
Hiland outrebounded Ridgewood 34-24 as Alex Troyer led the way with five rebounds. Lowery paced the Generals with six.
The Generals turned the ball over 20 times, with a majority coming in the pivotal third quarter. The Hawks had 13 miscues, but most came when the contest was in hand.
