I tend to agree with Pariah (wow, who'd have thought) about Jalen. I think Noah and Luke Burch are the spark players that can shift momentum very quickly, but Jalen is so steady.

Garaway 63
Sandy Valley 36

Ridgewood 69
TCC 50

Malvern 74
Conotton Valley 44

Hiland 69
Newcomerstown 41

Tflo, agreeing with me generally puts you on shaky ground, so I would reconsider.

Remember that these are high school kids. Their attention spans and focuses are short. All things being equal, the most talented team will be the champ, but things are rarely equal. I think the champ will have at least 2 losses and possibly 3... and I think it will be Hiland or Garaway.

Thought Hiland put together a real nice game againast Triway. Would be happy to see that same game when Garaway visits---and for every other game the rest of the way as far as that goes. Add to that and improve to another step yet, and I'll take my chances the rest of the way. Keep up the hard work guys.

Missed the Triway game. It's the wedding that never ends! Saw the elder Ricola children at the wedding reception. Should be back on schedule from here on out. Whew! Glad all that is over and done with.

just saw the new D4 poll old friends 1. Dayton Jefferson 2. Rosecrans 3. Hiland......Rosecrans were in the dumper for guite sometime, last year they made in to Canton I think (beat Shadyside at Meadowbrook) havent seen them play, what do they bring to the table?

Hesston;633928 wrote:just saw the new D4 poll old friends 1. Dayton Jefferson 2. Rosecrans 3. Hiland......Rosecrans were in the dumper for guite sometime, last year they made in to Canton I think (beat Shadyside at Meadowbrook) havent seen them play, what do they bring to the table?

Shadyside won the district championship 60-57 over Roesecrans last year. Very likely Hiland crosses paths with at least one of the top two schools you mentioned.

Dick and Jane Ricola enjoyed the reception. Thanks from them. Heard reports the tropical wedding was awesome.
Agree, if Hiland keeps winning they will likely meet either Rosecrans or Shadyside. likely Rosecrans from what I hear. Haven't seen them play but have heard they are VERY good. But gotta get out of the sectional first and (likely) another re-rematch with Malvern.
There are a lot of very good DIV teams this year

ricola;634688 wrote:Dick and Jane Ricola enjoyed the reception. Thanks from them. Heard reports the tropical wedding was awesome.
Agree, if Hiland keeps winning they will likely meet either Rosecrans or Shadyside. likely Rosecrans from what I hear. Haven't seen them play but have heard they are VERY good. But gotta get out of the sectional first and (likely) another re-rematch with Malvern.
There are a lot of very good DIV teams this year

I thought that Shadyside was very Senior laden last year....I can't picture them being that good again...

yes, Wes, Shadyside had 7 seniors last year. I think if there's a Shadyside over Hiland outcome it will be on the girls side.

Shadyside must have some athletes though having made it to the D6 football finals this year

Hesston;637278 wrote:Shadyside must have some athletes though having made it to the D6 football finals this year

yeah, but they are always good in football. Also, you will never convince me that they were a better team than Hiland last year. Hiland just looked that bad in the 2nd half of their matchup.

wes_mantooth;637328 wrote:yeah, but they are always good in football. Also, you will never convince me that they were a better team than Hiland last year. Hiland just looked that bad in the 2nd half of their matchup.

agree that 3rd qrt may have been the worst in Hawk history...........and Shadyside played inspired ball

Hiland 64
Sandy Valley 43

Garaway 65
TCC 46

Newcomerstown 61
Conotton Valley 46

Ridgewood 61
Strasburg 56

I was surprised the RW-SB game was 5 points. The Tigers have been struggling mightily. Maybe they are righting the ship and some wins will come.

Hiland 77
Conotton Valley 28

Malvern 64
Strasburg 58 OT

Newcomerstown 49
Sandy Valley 48

Garaway 45
Ridgewood 32

TCC 60
Indian Valley 37

Standings after round 1.

Garaway (8-0) 10-1
Hiland (7-1) 11-1
Ridgewood (6-2) 9-2
Malvern (5-3) 8-3
Tuscarawas Central Catholic (3-5) 6-5
Conotton Valley (2-6) 5-6
Newcomerstown (2-6) 4-7
Strasburg (2-6) 3-7
Sandy Valley (1-7) 2-9

Garaway is in the drivers seat. Hiland needs no help to gain at least a share of the IVC. They just need to win round 2. Ridgewood has a good chance as well but will need some help from others in the IVC to get a shot at the title. Malvern still has a chance but they will need a little more help from the other members for a shot at the title.

Close one tonight for the Hawks, was that at home or away?

riders1;653545 wrote:Close one tonight for the Hawks, was that at home or away?

Away Hiland 56 Malvern 55

TCC 64
Sandy Valley 47

Ridgewood 60
Conotton Valley 40

Garaway 58
Strasburg 46

Hiland/Malvern could have gone either way, Malvern had last posetion with time but didnt score, not sure what all transpired in the final minute

I thought Malvern played much better this time around. happy to get out of there with a win.
Hopefully the flu bug will not be a factor in the next few weeks as it is getting pretty bad around here.

My punkin played last night with the flu. She was good for about 4 round trips and then was gassed. It will definitely be a factor if it hangs around.

Proud of the Hawks for gutting one out at Malvern.

Don't know how things are in other districts, but have been seeing quite a lot of flu in Holmes County the past few days. It will be worse in a week than it is now, and think schools will notice a significant absent rate through next week. Hiland has a few big games coming (TCC, Ridgewood, Garaway); hope it's not decided by having key players out (unless of course they're out for the opposing teams! kidding of course; wouldn't wish it on anyone).
As for the Malvern game; I was very impressed with Malvern. They played a different brand of basketball than game one; most significantly in that Travis got the rest of the team involved, which made all the difference in the world. He's a great player, but isn't going to beat a good team by himself. I also can safely say that is likely my last visit to the Malvern gym, which doesn't upset me in the least. Nothing personal---just never liked the place. has something to do with it being a flippin hour+ drive away. Now one more visit to CV yet....

Hiland 77
Tuscarawas Central Catholic 53

Ridgewood 34
Newcomerstown 31

Malvern 42
Sandy Valley 36

Garaway 67
Indian Valley 38