Yeah, when I posted that, I was like, "Ricola posted the same idea at the same time." Another example of life being strange because my mind isn't nearly as evolved as yours!

62-52 Hawks win. Monster game for Gingerich.

18 points and 8 rebounds. He shot 9 of 11 from the field. I've been telling people that this kid was going to have a huge impact on this team, but I had few believers. I think I'll get a few more converts now. Teams will focus their defenses on Seger and Dylan, and that is going to leave Neil with lots of opportunities. He killed Malvern last night.

Hiland smoked Ridgewood last night. I'm not sure what the final score was but it was around thirty points. Hiland's first five are VERY good. On offense, they can all score and defensively they really get after it. Chaise Gerber really looked good last night. Didn't try to do too much, just took what the defense gave him. My only concern is the depth. If any guys get in foul trouble against bigger, more talented teams, that will hurt us, especially without Luke. But we'll cross that bridge if it comes up. The Hawks have looked very good so far.

I saw Malvern beat Garaway by two at Malvern. A bit surprised it was this close. Garaway and Malvern always seem to play each other tough. Anybody at the game?

I wasn't at the Hiland-RW game last night. Had family obligations, but I heard that Hiland barely broke a sweat. It was 58-31. Would like to hear what happened from Ricola or 78. Help a man out!

Interesting thing about Hiland so far is that they haven't been awesome with their offense. It's what they are doing defensively. I don't know what their defensive avg is, but teams are having a hard time getting 30 on them, some have a hard time getting 20. Their scores look like girls' scores. They are kinda like a python - they just squeeze you to death. But you sense that they can score 80 if they have to.

Scotte;1017914 wrote:I saw Malvern beat Garaway by two at Malvern. A bit surprised it was this close. Garaway and Malvern always seem to play each other tough. Anybody at the game?

I too was a bit surprised that it was only a two point game. This years Garaway team is very different from past teams. No bigs and very guard oriented focusing on the Troyers. Great coaches make adjustments with the tools they are given. Shutt has the Pirates playing well. Should be a good one next friday at Hiland. Hiland by 15.

With a death in the family, haven't seen the recent games. The boy is home from college and saw the Ridgewood game---said there wasn't much resistance from Generals. And obviously Dyl took charge last night, keeping that from being much of a game. Hope to catch the Pirate game tho. I'm sure they will be ready to play. Don't expect a blowout at all there--more like the Malvern game.

ricola;1018723 wrote: Don't expect a blowout at all there--more like the Malvern game.

As much as I want this game to be a typical hard-fought, close, and exciting Hiland/Garaway game, it really would not surprise me if this game isn't even close. I agree Coach Shutt will have them ready to play (he always does), but they just do not seem to match up very well with Hiland's height and overall talent. If Hiland gets in foul trouble and has to go to their bench early, that will definitely help Garaway a lot. But other than that, I like Hiland in this one by 20.

ricola;1018723 wrote: Don't expect a blowout at all there--more like the Malvern game.

As much as I want this game to be a c typical hard-fought, close, and exciting Hiland/Garaway game, it really would not surprise me if this game isn't even close. I agree Coach Shutt will have them ready to play (he always does), but they just do not seem to match up very well with Hiland's height and overall talent. If Hiland gets in foul trouble and has to go to their bench early, that will definitely help Garaway a lot. But other than that, I like Hiland in this one by 20.

Hiland 46 Gway 26 start of 4th

Hiland 61
Garaway 37
Final

Ok, so yeah it was pretty much a runaway. Scotte said it well, they just aren't able to match up well with Hiland--though few teams can i guess. Everything seems to run through Duane, and Dyl put the clamps on him for the most part. Garaway got very little out of it's offense.

It was weird that the game was a little boring throughout. Even early on when the margin was around 10, it seemed that the crowd sensed that Garaway wasn't going to be able to narrow it. Seger went off for 14 points in the 3rd and at that point it was game over. Very impressed with the Hawks defense. Held Duane Troyer to 11. I'd like to see the points in the paint differential.

Ricola scolded me for leaving early, but the wife needed attention... and before all you wise guys make comments about it, the attention needed was professional, not personal.

Pariah;1025732 wrote:It was weird that the game was a little boring throughout.

I agree. Quite strange for a Garaway/Hiland game. The most exciting part was the baseline two hand overhead cross court throw to Seger grabbing it on the opposite side and laying it in as the buzzer sounded ending the 3rd quarter.

Here's some juicy news. Well, OK it's gossip, so I have no responsibility for any inaccuracies.

Last night at the NCT-CV game, Bailey got bloodied in the first minute, responded in kind, and both teams beat each other up the whole game. The refs never got it under control. At the end, Mrs. Bailey went after the refs, but was met by a policeman. She threw a right hook and so did the cop. His landed and she ended up in handcuffs. Mr. Bailey got threatened with a taser and it was a merry holiday spent in the jail. Unbelievable.

That's what they get for charging 2 dollars to park out there at CV! I guess they need it for bail money!

I used to worry about Ricola doing something like that with his temper and all, but the punkins are all graduated so I breath easier.

Wow---fireworks in the valley! He's probably not a guy I'd want to rile up, nor is his mother apparently!

and yeah, I just about hauled off and slugged a few people last year, but luckily the mrs. held me back! (she's a black belt herself so i usually listen! usually)

Hiland 67
Cols. Brookhaven 50

Ricola, I saw your "little" boy was in your seat last night. Man, you missed something special. Seger was passing the ball like a pro - blind, no look type stuff on the money. It was amazing. It is so fun to see this group play. Brookhaven decided to not guard Jason and he buried 2 3's and got a couple other buckets in the first half! Neil and Seger ruled the paint.

Can't wait to see them tonight. We owe Worthington Christian a beat down for all the agony they have put on us in regional soccer!

would haveliked to have seen the game...had to work. did catch a few plays on the internet, including Seger's pass. Mark liked that a lot!

I'm hoping for a major beat down tonite. If we could win by 50, that still wouldn't be enough. Hope the basketball team has a few soccer players on it!

Bedford Chanel 72
Malvern 55

Interesting final. Chanel is DIII this year so they will not factor into an already tough Canton DIV regional with Richmond Heights and newly added replacement VASJ dropping from DIII.

ricola;1031729 wrote:If we could win by 50, that still wouldn't be enough. Hope the basketball team has a few soccer players on it!

You will have to settle for 33. The "stick to soccer" chant the kids tried to pull off fell a little flat. Only a couple dozen WC adults in the crowd. The score does not reflect the WC team. Well coached and they have some nice players and solid shooters who were able to adjust shots when needed. Their press generated a coulple of turnovers and at times made Hiland work a little to get the ball up the court. Just too many guns on offense for WC's defense to deal with.

Strasburg 57
Kingsway Christian 17

Conotton Valley 54
Ridgewood 51

Sandy Valley 45
Kidron Christian 44

Maple Heights 51
TCC 31

Strasburg by 40 over Kingsway? Oh my.

Dylan had no fgs and was 2-4 from the line. I haven't seen every game Dylan has played since 3rd grade, but I wouldn't be surprised if that is the first time that has ever happened. He played very hard. I sensed he was gassed from the Brookhaven game. The fact that they beat WC by 33 with their scorer limited to 2 pts should really scare people!

Interesting quote in DR: WC 6-6 center Kyle Wade: "This place is more like a low-grade university than a high school. You can really feel the support these guys get from this community."

Hiland 80, Sandy Valley 30. (and it wasn't that close). What has happened to SV basketball??