Source: National Federation of High School Associations website.
Using the above diagram and simple powers of higher mathematics, one can quickly deduce that it’s thirteen feet, nine inches from the foul line to the center of the 18” diameter basket in a regulation high school basketball court.
Unfortunately, on some nights the free throw line might as well be 55 feet away. Such was the case last evening as the Hawks went 6-17 from the line. The free throw shooting Muse present at last week’s Monclova Christian game, when the Hawks went 8-10, decided to turn its back on the home team this evening.
On the other hand, Maumee Valley did go 1-for-1 from the actual 55 foot line this evening, sort of…
Game Summary
In a defensive struggle, Toledo Christian outlasted MV 30-27 at the Varsity Gym. The Hawks had two chances to pull ahead or tie the game at the end. Rick Deichert made a three-quarter court 3 pointer with seven seconds to go and another three ball at the buzzer, but he released both shots just after the whistle had blown (verified after watching the video) and neither shot counted.
Both teams experienced long offensive droughts. In the second quarter, MV held the Eagles to two points; TC returned the favor in the third, blanking the Blue and White until a three pointer by Julius Turner with four seconds left.
Starting five – Dave Brown (’13), Rick Deichert (’12), Jared Sturt (’12), Dixon Stoddard (’12) and Jonathan Krueger (’12)
First Quarter – TC 11 – MV 8
Maumee Valley started the game in man defense; TC was in man as well, but quickly switched to its 1-3-1 matchup zone. TC got off to a quick 4-0 start in the first three minutes of play with two layups off foul-line screens, but the Hawks tightened up on D. Rick opened the scoring with a basket from the elbow and the Hawks actively clogged the passing lanes inside. Jared Sturt had two steals early, but TC continued to score inside. Dixon Stoddard was very active underneath with several rebounds at both ends of the floor.
Nick Frasco came in for Rick with 53 seconds left and it was Maumee Valley which put on the first press. TC scored with 2 seconds left in the half to take the first quarter lead.
Little did the crowd know that this would be the highest scoring frame of the evening.
Second Quarter – MV 7 – TC 2
Starters – Rick, Dave, Jared, Dixon, Julius Turner
Julius started the second quarter and had an immediate impact with a strong drive to the basket, drawing a foul and making both ends at the line. Shortly thereafter, he made a great move inside the paint for another two points.
On the defensive end MV switched to its 2-3 zone, which immediately slowed the Eagles’ attack to a crawl. TC was stymied in their efforts to work the ball inside and good work by the Hawks on ball rotation kept the opponents’ outside shooting to a minimum. As the hosts became more aggressive in their zone, Jared aggressively defended around the basket, blocking a short attempt and a 15 footer from the baseline.
Rick ended the quarter with a driving layup. The Hawks were up at the end of the half 15-13.
Third Quarter TC 8 – MV 3
Starting the quarter: Same as Q2.
TC came out of the locker room determined to execute better ball rotation on the perimeter. They got an early look, but could not convert. Play sped up early in the quarter, but this didn’t lead to an increased scoring pace. Play was ragged.
MV had extreme difficulty shooting due to tough defense by the Eagles, managing only three attempts in the frame before Julius Turner fired in a three from the top of the key with four seconds left to avert the shutout.
TC headed into the fourth quarter with a 21-18 lead.
Fourth Quarter MV 9 – TC 9
Starting the quarter: same as Q2 and 3.
The final stanza opened with a pyrotechnical display. Rick grabbed a defensive rebound and started a break down court. He fired a sharp pass to Dixon who was fouled hard on the shot attempt. A TC forward argued the call too strenuously and was charged with a technical.
However, the Blue and White were only able to convert one of the four free throws. On the ensuing possession, Jared drove from the high post and converted at the basket. The Hawks had squared it at 21.
Rick then scored off a well designed in-bounds play to pull the Hawks ahead, and scoring continued back and forth. Julius made one of two foul shots, and then Dave Brown made an eight-footer from the left baseline off a great pass by Dixon from the right wing. The Hawks were up three but TC again returned fire with a three pointer to tie it again. Following a an MV free throw, TC went ahead 28-26 on a Nick Rightnowar trey.
Jared returned to the line after being hacked on a shot, and converted one to cut the lead in half.
The Hawks had been in the bonus for much of the fourth quarter but could not convert throughout the frame. Conversely, MVs clean play in the eyes of the officials would now place additional pressure on the team at the 1:16 mark. With only two fouls against them, Maumee Valley had to go into aggressive defense / quick foul mode. Play for the next several seconds occurred mostly between the three point circles with TC taking the ball out and MV immediately fouling. TC retained its lead and ball possession deep into the game.
But the Hawks created some chances near the end. A steal gave MV the ball with 21 seconds left and down 1, but a turnover led to a foul and two converted free throws by TC. It was 30-27 with a few fireworks left.
With 6.9 seconds left, MV inbounded the ball to Rick Deichert, who fired a 55 footer toward the hoop and nailed it – to no avail.
The referee had blown his whistle for an on-the-floor foul committed against Rick. He went to the line with 2.3 seconds to go in the double bonus trying to make the first then miss the second to generate a tying put-back attempt.
PS - I turned the Flipcam off and didn't capture the shot - what a knucklehead!
Rick missed the first end then deliberately missed the second for a miracle three try – which he got off a Jared Sturt rebound – and made – again unfortunately, just after the whistle blew.
The Hawks went down to defeat 30-27.
Final Game Thoughts
Statistically the game was lost at the line. MV went 6-17; 4-11 in the fourth quarter. TC was 4-6 including the last two points of the game.
It was a tough loss for the Hawks. The team’s own expectations are higher this year and this one had to hurt some.
Conversely, Maumee Valley was within three points of tying the game at the end and had several chances to win. Closing out a game like this will be another milestone in the team’s development. Fayette was one thing, but one of your two main conference competitors is another.
Finally for those who have followed MV basketball for several years, it should be noted that tonight’s game was clearly a matchup of peer vs. peer. Gone are the days of the early TC press, the 10-20 point deficit and the ensuing ugly night. In fact, contrary to my game prediction, TC did not put the press on once during the evening.
Fortunately this is early season basketball and other opportunities will avail themselves as the season progresses.
Finally, we return to the Muses. The Roman scholar Varro spoke of three. MV will surely re-acquaint themselves this week one of them; Melete, the muse of practice, at the charity stripe this week.
Scoring
Now for the unhappy totals. Rick Deichert and Julius Turner scored 8 apiece for the Hawks; Jared Sturt had 7, Dixon Stoddard and Dave Brown added two points each for the home team. David Westmeyer (13) and Nick Rightnowar (10) scored 23 of TC's 30 points.
Next up
This is the toughest stretch of the Hawks’ season. The gauntlet continues as they travel to Ottawa Hills Friday night to face the TAAC preseason favorites. The JV’s look to go 4-0 with their usual 6PM start time.
Later on, it’s Emmanuel Christian at home on the 21st, then the big Huntington Center matchup on December 27 at 2pm vs. Toledo Central Catholic.
Good luck to all the students on exams this week. Remember to say goodbye to your old High School.
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