D4 preview (my son said Luke is most likely out the year in basketball and baseball is iffy at this point, but knowing Luke he will battle to get back if he can, doesnt sound good though, they are waiting on results of an MRI)

The 2010-2011 campaign ended with the Hiland Hawks hoisting the gold trophy amongst Ohio’s small schools. The Hawks did so with an excess of underclassmen defeating the likes of Zanesvivllle Rosecrans, McDonald, Continental, and Harvest Prep along the way.

Hiland’s effort marked the first boy’s basketball state championship for an Eastern District school since Zanesville captured the Division I banner in 1995. Prior to that, it was the Hawks in 1992 under the late Perry Reese Jr.

The Berlin-based high school steamrolled its way through the tournament winning its eight games by an average of just over 31 points per game. The Hawks closest game came in a nine-point district final victory over a very good Zanesville Rosecrans’ team.

Fast forward to this season and Hiland is the probable favorite to replicate, but as we know, repeating isn’t easy and almost improbable in DIV. Columbus Wehrle (1988, ’89, & ’90) is the only team in the history of Division IV (inception 1988) to obtain the feat.

Two teams making their way down from Division III are ready to challenge the Hawks for their state title. Cleveland VASJ and Columbus Africentric drop down to the state’s small division following a DIII district finals showing for VASJ and a state semis appearance for Africentric. Both teams are stacked with talent and will play a rigorous schedule preparing them for tournament play.

Amazing to ponder, Cleveland VASJ won the “Division I” state championship in 1991.

Several others will be vying for a chance at supremacy. Richmond Heights, Kalida, Bishop Rosecrans, Lockland, Vanlue, Malvern, Toledo MVCD, and Fort Recovery just to name a few.

MRI results showed that Burch did tear his ACL. Big loss for the Hawks he's the type of player that will be tough to replace. I wish him a speedy recovery

Scotte;994645 wrote:MRI results showed that Burch did tear his ACL. Big loss for the Hawks he's the type of player that will be tough to replace. I wish him a speedy recovery

Sorry to hear this. Here's to a full recovery and complete return to the sports he loves.

I hate hearing of injuries at any time, but right at the beginning of the season always is tough to swallow.

what a bummer! So sorry/sad for Luke; not the way anyone wants their senior year to go! The bright side is he'll be good to go for college baseball, but ...what a bummer.
Beyond the personal heartache, a real blow to Hiland as well. He was going to be a major contibuter this year; could tell that just by his pregame and first half of the game. makes the depth a major issue, and any chance to repeat a bigger challenge.

Who will get his minutes now? Ropp?

Is he a senior?

Old Rider;995066 wrote:Is he a senior?

Burch is a senior. Ropp is a sophomore.

Mr. 300;995010 wrote:Who will get his minutes now? Ropp?

Yes. Ropp would have seen good minutes any way. But he will have to really step up.

They have guys coming off the bench who can play, but you don't know if they can give you quality minutes in big games until they do it. Regardless, Luke is one of the most gifted all around athletes I have ever seen - and I've seen a few good ones. His speed was exceptional. That ability is something the Hawks will not be able to replace because there isn't that kind of athlete. But Ropp, Gerber, etal can go out there and use their abilities to help compensate for the loss. Looking forward to seeing who steps up.

Looking forward to watching this game tomorrow night. West Holmes is def improved but Hiland is strong no matter what they put on the floor. Bullseye is going to be on the Hawks all season with last year's championship under their belts. Pulling for a Knight victory of course. Hoping for a good injury free game at PRCC.

Baller4eva;996372 wrote:Looking forward to watching this game tomorrow night. West Holmes is def improved but Hiland is strong no matter what they put on the floor. Bullseye is going to be on the Hawks all season with last year's championship under their belts. Pulling for a Knight victory of course. Hoping for a good injury free game at PRCC.

I am looking forward to tonights game as well. Hiland has a lot of height and talent but with Burch lost to injury its bench has little to no minutes in big game situations at the varsity level. Several of them will have to step up or foul trouble and fatigue will be major factors in winning big games. Tonight being one.

Pariah;996156 wrote:Luke is one of the most gifted all around athletes I have ever seen - and I've seen a few good ones. His speed was exceptional.

I witnessed Lukes injury. His great speed and athletic ability got him to that loose ball. It got him high into the air and while doing so he was able to twist his body in an effort to keep the ball in play. When he landed the laws of physics took over. He landed on one foot. Friction held the foot in place and the return pivoting and downward force of his body went to the knee. There was a collective gasp from the crowd. Everyone knew something serious had occured. It all happened in just a few seconds.

It stinks but with the advances in medicine we all enjoy today he will be on the ball field next year enjoying the game while earning himself a college education.

heartbreak city (this a a daily record story about Luke's injury) that ran today 12-2

http://www.the-daily-record.com/news/article/5130676?utm_source=daily_headlines&utm_medium=email&utm_content=headline_link&utm_campaign=daily_headline

WH has the height to match up against Hiland, but not sure the athleticism to match what the Hawks have. I think this game is going to be much closer than people think. Hiland has the edge with home cookin', so the wise bet is on the Hawks.

agree^^

I hope it is a close game. What was last year's game? About a 20 point margin? Maybe a little less. I can definitely see this being a 10 point game.

That being said, after watching a few scrimmages, I think the Hawks are potentially better than last year, but they will have to show it on the court and that test starts tonight. I think the Hawks will present too many match-up problems for most teams to handle, but if they don't play smart they can negate those advantages. Having a ton of seniors will hopefully help them play smart, but these are high school kids and sometimes they do dumb things!

And no, I'm not minimizing how super Braden, Noah, and Jalen were on last year's team. I'm just looking at the fact that Seger spent the first half of the season trying to slowly integrate into the program. We never saw him really assert himself until they got into the tournament, at state in particular. This year he is full go from game 1. Dylan should elevate his play just with the experience he has and by playing smarter - making his teammates better and knowing when to share vs. when he needs to take over. Jason needs to just play the way he did last year by taking care of the ball and making people pay if they help off of him. And the wild card is Neil Gingerich. He will force teams to choose how to use their bigs, and he has to make them pay in the paint if he has a smaller defender on him. And then the other guys like Chase and the rest of the bench need to play well and fill their roles. If that all comes together, they will be better than last year. Big "if" though.

According to the HCJ, Mr. 300 really is.

Stop it...it won't won't help you!

I also would give the edge to Hiland in this one, but as mentioned already, I think it will be a very good game. For West Holmes, it's important for them to get off to a good start. As a young team, if they fall behind early, it is going to be that much tougher to get back in it. If they can start off strong and keep it close during the first half, they'll put themselves in a decent position to win.

For Hiland, they need to play smart as Pariah mentioned. There is no question they have a ton of talent and athleticism (although Luke's injury definitely hurts). If they play smart, take care of the ball, and don't give WH any extra possessions through dumb fouls, off. rebounds, etc, I like their chances.

Regardless, it should be a great game. Looking forward to basketball season getting started!

Scotte;997793 wrote:I also would give the edge to Hiland in this one, but as mentioned already, I think it will be a very good game. For West Holmes, it's important for them to get off to a good start. As a young team, if they fall behind early, it is going to be that much tougher to get back in it. If they can start off strong and keep it close during the first half, they'll put themselves in a decent position to win.

For Hiland, they need to play smart as Pariah mentioned. There is no question they have a ton of talent and athleticism (although Luke's injury definitely hurts). If they play smart, take care of the ball, and don't give WH any extra possessions through dumb fouls, off. rebounds, etc, I like their chances.

Regardless, it should be a great game. Looking forward to basketball season getting started!

Only concern for WH is who will be driving the bus?? LOL

jenna8;997802 wrote:Only concern for WH is who will be driving the bus?? LOL

:rolleyes: Yeah, that's something to laugh at.....

The game is "officially sold out" as only some Hiland student section tickets are still available.
Should be fun. The ' voice" will be in the house for this one.
I'm gonna take the Hawks by nine.

Mr. 300;997810 wrote::rolleyes: Yeah, that's something to laugh at.....

Now 300, you know as well as I do that if East Holmes had a guy driving kids around who a BAC over 3 times the limit, you would be busting our chops about it.

That being said, it's only funny because no kids were hurt.

Scotte;997793 wrote: For Hiland, they need to play smart as Pariah mentioned. There is no question they have a ton of talent and athleticism (although Luke's injury definitely hurts).

I think where Luke's loss hurts the most is when the opponent has a super quick kid who is breaking us down. Luke would be a tremendous defensive asset to have. Tonight, say Arnold was killing us, Luke would probably get that assignment. We will face teams with really quick kids, so there will be for sure a time when we say, "Dang it. We need Luke." Hopefuly it won't be tonight.

Pariah;998092 wrote:Now 300, you know as well as I do that if East Holmes had a guy driving kids around who a BAC over 3 times the limit, you would be busting our chops about it.

That being said, it's only funny because no kids were hurt.

Well, if that's how you look at it, so be it. Hiland's no stranger to DUI's either, so we had to try and keep up.