Each year, Kevin Hayes stages two dramatic productions at Maumee Valley. Countless hours of preparation and work are a precursor to what appears to the audience at showtime to be a flawlessly staged evening of entertainment.
Before each of the performances, Mr. Hayes stages a dress rehearsal on the big stage. Although Kevin will take notes and make corrections, the principal purpose of the dress rehersal is to make sure the actors will not be dazzled by the bright lights of Opening Night in front of the usual sellout crowds.
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| It's the Robber Bridegroom!!! |
And so it was on Monday December 27, 2010 that Coach Robinson held his own dress rehearsal of sorts for the Hawks on a very big stage indeed. The second game of the inaugural Blade Classic at the Huntington Center featured Maumee Valley against Division 1 power and defending City League Champion Toledo Central Catholic.
Make no mistake that during this season, next season or both, it is the Hawks’ goal to make a run in the State Playoffs. As all teams work through the state tournament to the Regional final four, the stages increase in size and intensity. For MV, such a journey would eventually mean a trip to Anderson Arena at Bowling Green, and ultimately to Value City Arena in Columbus Ohio.
With such lofty goals, it made perfect sense to expose these young Hawks to the glare of a major arena and a big-time opponent early in this two year quest. Win or lose, the next game in a larger venue will be less intimidating for this team.
Starting five – Dave Brown (’13), Rick Deichert (’12), Jared Sturt (’12), Dixon Stoddard (’12) and Jonathan Krueger (’12)
Game Summary
Toledo Central Catholic used its superior size and depth to lap the Hawks 77-46 in the second game of the Toledo Blade Classic at the Huntington Center. Maumee Valley played the Irish fairly close in the first quarter, but a 23-7 second frame did MV in.
Rick led the MV scoring with 13, followed by Jared with 10, and Dixon with a season high 8 points.
First Quarter CC 17 – MV 12
Central started off in their man press, MV was in regular man to man.
Things got off to a shaky start for the Hawks with two quick turnovers and Central took a 4-0 lead in the first 30 seconds. Coach Robinson called a quick timeout at the 6:56 mark to calm the waters, and Dixon immediately converted on a press break for MV's opening tally.
It became clear that Central was inviting MV to attack the press in order to lure the Blue and White into a running game. Maumee Valley was tentative however, and struggled with it high post offense, having to work at the top of the key and beyond against the taller Irish. A few more baskets off of turnovers and Central took a 11-2 lead, Julius entered the game at 4:30, and the Hawks got their balance back. Dave Brown hit a three pointer, Rick made a basket + 1 on a drive to the rim and MV pulled to within 11-8. That would be the high water mark for the Hawks.
Central challenged MV on every posession and with a 15 man roster full of athletic talent, it was clear that giving fouls would not be a concern for the Irish. CC picked up four fouls in the first quarter and didn’t blink.
The teams continued to work up and down both ends of the court, the Hawks’ final highlights in the quarter coming from a nice baseline drive by Julius Turner for two and a driving basket by Rick in on a fast break.
At quarter’s end, MV was down five, and things didn’t look so bad – for now.
Second Quarter CC 23 – MV 7
Starting the quarter – Dave, Rick, Jonathan, Jared, Julius Turner
Fourteen inches doesn’t seem like very much. To a golfer, it’s a tap-in. In a track meet, it’s distance covered in a fraction of a second. But in basketball, when those fourteen inches represent the aggregate height difference between the two teams on the court, it works out to nearly three inches per each player. Overcoming a differential like that against a starting five is a big challenge, but Central was able to put out three separate five-man lineups with such an advantage. That depth proved to be the dagger in the second quarter.
CC continued in various forms of man press through the quarter. MV stayed in its 2-3 zone.
At its end, Central began to work the ball into the high post. They made their first two open shots from the elbow, so MV was forced to come out to challenge the post player. Central was able to pass down deep for layups, work it outside for uncontested threes or continue shooting from around the foul line. During a series of six or seven consecutive wide open shots, the Irish tore off on an 11-3 run to pull ahead 28-15 with 3:30 left.
It was MV’s turn in a quarter to look out-of-sorts. With Central’s quickness showing, the usual passing lanes were closed off and the Hawks were forced into shots from inopportune locations.
The game again turned into a track meet and over the next 1:50, Central enjoyed a 12-4 run. With 40 seconds left, TCC worked for the last shot, but they missed. It was about the only miss in the quarter, and the halftime score was 40-19 in favor of Central.
Third Quarter CC 21 – MV 15
Starting the Quarter – initial game starters
MV came out in man defense to begin the quarter. Central stayed with man pressure.
MV came out much more active in the second quarter. Jared stole a pass early in the quarter and drove the length of the court for a basket + 1. This put one of the CC forwards into foul trouble, but the Irish simply unplugged one 6’4” forward out of the Matrix and replaced him with another 6’4” forward.
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| It only seemed like Central had this many 6'4" guys pressing MV. |
Central’s offensive highlight came during the quarter when 6’5” Senior Guard Dareon Jones dunked over Dixon early in the frame. The pace of the game quickened, and Coach Robinson called time out with 6:45 left in the quarter and Central up 46-23.
MV put on a mini run with a three by Rick Deichert...
...and a two pointer by Dave Brown for five straight points. CC continued to rack up fouls, with Senior swing man Jay Marquette drawing his fourth foul after Dixon Stoddard stole a pass and drove to the basket. At 5:01, Central would call time to regroup.
Again, the Irish managed to quicken the pace of the game. For the next 2:30, Central would turn the game into something resembling a mid-April AAU game, running the floor and shooting at their first open look. By the 2:35 mark, Central had extended its lead to 57-32.
Jared had a good closing stretch at the end of the third quarter, drawing two fouls on inside moves. Central closed out the scoring at quarter end, and held a commanding 61-34 lead.
Fourth Quarter – CC 16 – MV 12
Starting the quarter – same as second quarter starters
Jared continued to improve during the quarter, starting off with a basket off a loose ball and two free throws after drawing a foul on a move to the hoop. Julius Turner also had some good moments twice getting to the line after driving to the basket in traffic.
Central continued to press until about the 5:30 mark and finally dropped back to a 2-3 zone.
At the 2:48 mark, both coaches went to the bench and gave all their players an opportunity to play on the Huntington Center court. Daniel Brandon made the most of his opportunity, making two free throws near the end of the game to close out the scoring for MV.
Final Game Thoughts
As I noted in the quick summary…It could be worse.
But this game will result in a wealth of second chances for MV. For every regret the team had out on the court Monday afternoon, there will be numerous opportunities to redeem the ‘woulda, coulda, shoulda’ moments throughout the remainder of the season.
The Hawks will carry the memory of this performance to the playoffs, where the larger crowds and excitement will seem that much less overwhelming after today.
MV will not play a stronger team for the remainder of the season - even if they do make it to Value City Arena. In Division IV, it’s much more a ‘starting five vs. starting five’ game. There won’t be 15-strong, athletic teams able to shrug off having three starters sit with four fouls in the third quarter. And for several stretches during the game the Hawks held their own, especially when the game was played on a half court level.
A final perspective - one year ago, MV was 2-4 with losses to Fayette, OH, TC and North Baltimore. Now, they sit tied for first place early in the TAAC season with a 4-2 record.
With apologies to the Blade’s Barbara Hendel…
Movers and shakers seen at the game today included most of the Cardinal Stritch team and several members of the Ottawa Hills starting five. MV will face CS at the Varsity Gym Friday, January 21, 2011.
Scoring
Rick led the Hawks with 13 points on the day, followed by Jared with 10, Dixon with a season high 8, Dave 7, and Julius 6. Daniel Brandon scored his first two points of the season.
Next up
MV continues TAAC play on the Marblehead Peninsula Thursday January 6, 2011 against Danbury. Kobe and Pau are not expected to be available for the Lakers that evening.
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