Setting the Table
On this evening, Maumee Valley celebrated Coach Robinson’s 500th victory before and after the game. When Coach spoke during the pre-game festivities, he introduced several of his assistants from past years, from Port Clinton and Maumee (namely, new Cardinal Stritch Coach Dave Reicker). Several former players were on hand as well, most notably star guard Jamie Mercurio. And it's good to remember that in addition to those present, Coach Robinson has touched hundreds of lives during his 40+ years of experience. It was a wonderful honoring of the past.
But there was also the present, this Maumee Valley team which had rolled to four straight victories in the new year. It has been a whirlwind season for the Hawks, who have garnered a plethora of media attention from their participation in the Blade Classic, from being the team which earned their coach a milestone win and from just being good. The Hawks were ready for more this night.
Game Summary
Maumee Valley defeated Cardinal Stritch 60-39 at the Varsity Gym on the strength of three double-digit scorers. Rick Deichert led the way with 18 points, a season high, followed by Jared Sturt with 17 and Julius Turner with 15.
Jared played only 20 minutes, his time limited by a poke in the eye in the third quarter. He is not expected to miss any playing time. During that time, he grabbed 19 rebounds, of which 11 were on the offensive end.
The Hawks maintained solid control of the basketball during the evening, surrendering only six turnovers during the game.
First Quarter MV 13 – CS 9
Starting five – Dave Brown (’13), Rick Deichert (’12), Jared Sturt (’12), Dixon Stoddard (’12) and Jonathan Krueger (’12)
Cardinal Stritch started out in a 1-3-1 zone defense but would switch frequently to a 2-3 zone and man defense. MV played man defense most of the evening, applying full-court pressure frequently during the game.
Jared opened the scoring with two free throws after pulling in an offensive rebound. But Michael Blazevich came right back with a Cardinal basket. Rick scored next at the hoop off a pass from Dave. The guards kept up the pace when Dave stole the ball and got it to Rick for a three from the corner. It was 7-2 Hawks at the 4:15 mark.
The Cards came back with two and had posession, but Rick stole a lazy pass at the top and ran free to the basket for two.
Justin Staler snapped in a three to close the gap for Stritch, but Jared then tipped in a miss for two, then again put back a missed Rick Deichert shot. Jared was having his way underneath grabbing several rebounds on both ends.
Cardinal Stritch’s Matt Guy made the last basket of the quarter to pull the visitors to within 13-9 at the end of the half.
Second Quarter MV 17 – CS 13
Starting the Quarter – Rick, Dave, Julius, Jonathan and Dixon
MV opened the quarter with a bang; Dixon stole the ball and fed it to Julius for two points. A few empty possessions later, a defensive miscommunication allowed Justin Staler to come free and make his second three pointer for CS to make it 15-12 MV.
Rick drove strong to the basket from the right wing for the next two points and the Hawks followed up with pressure, forcing a traveling call. On the ensuing possession, Julius split the Cardinals’ 2-3 zone down the middle for two and it was 19-12 Hawks. CS coach Dave Riecker had seen enough and called time out with 5:54 left in the half. MV brought Jared and Nick back into the game.
The game slowed down considerably with both offenses running their motion offences. But Jared took over the next segment of the game. He scored two after grabbing two offensive rebounds. Then after a CS miss, Dave quickly got the ball back to Number 35, who was fouled hard under the basket. Jared made both foul shots and the Hawks were ahead 24-16.
Staler scored two more for CS, then Dave was called for an offensive foul on a drive to the basket. Just when it looked like the visitors were gaining momentum, Rick stole a pass and got to the basket for two. MV got the ball again and Jared’s strong presence again came to the forefront. He was fouled shooting and made one of two, then tipped another shot in off a rebound to make it 28-19 MV.
After one last basket by Justin Staler for the Cardinals, the Hawks scored one more time in the quarter on a inbounds pass by Jon Krueger to Dixon for two. At the half it was Maumee Valley 30 – Cardinal Stritch 21.
It was a dominating performance in the first half by Jared, who scored 13 points and had 13 rebounds, seven of which were on the offensive glass. The Hawks' starting center was 5-6 from the floor and 3-4 from the free throw line.
Justin Staler had an all-TAAC performance in the second quarter, keeping the Cardinals in the game with his outside shooting.
Third Quarter MV 16 – CS 11
Starting the quarter – Initial game starters
Jared continued his hot hand, scoring first for MV off a missed shot. Dixon drew a charge and the Hawks got the ball back. Jared tried a dunk which just missed:
The Cardinals grabbed the rebound, but Dixon stole the ball and got the outlet pass to Rick, who was pulled down hard by Stahler on the shot. Rick made both free throws. Jon stole the inbounds pass and got it to Dave Brown who fired a three-ball in from the top of the key. It was 37-21 Hawks when the guests called a time out.
MV came out of the time out in a press, but Dixon was called for a block. Julius came in at 5:05 for Dixon following the foul. Play continued choppily for MV when Rick was called for an offensive foul, and CS scored twice to pull back to within 12.
Julius scored on a reverse layup, and the Cardinals answered back with two. Jared scored again for the Hawks after pulling an offensive rebound.
MV again got the ball under the basket and Rick scored a three pointer off the inbounds play.
On the following play, Jared was poked in the eye going for a rebound and was taken out of the game for the evening. At 2:09, Dixon drew his fourth foul, and Omar entered the game. At that moment, the Hawks lineup included Nick, Rick, Julius, Jonathan and Omar.
That group went to work immediately. Nick grabbed the next defensive rebound and the next video shows Jon putting back a miss by Julius.
It was MV 46 – CS 29. Cardinal Stritch made the final three points of the quarter to pull back to within 46-32 at the end of three.
Fourth Quarter – MV 14 – CS 7
Starting the Quarter – Rick, Dave, Omar, Julius, Jon.
With a 14 point lead, Coach Robinson was content to run time off the clock. MV held the ball until the 7:07 mark when Omar was fouled. He made one shot.
The Hawks got the ball back and Julius drove down the middle of the lane for two points. Omar grabbed the ensuing defensive rebound and Julius was fouled at the hoop. He made both ends and MV led 50-32. Omar again rebounded a CS miss and on a quick outlet, Julius cut through three CS defenders to score the next basket. Again the Cardinals missed and it was Rick’s turn to score.
MV was now ahead by 22 and with 3:49 to go, Coach Robinson began to replace the remaining starters.
Some final videos from the fourth quarter:
Julius almost dunks a rebound, but is called for offensive goaltending
Daniel with a free throw.
And finally, Julius at the line.
At the end of the game, AJ King, Thad Woodard, Daniel Brandon, Omar and Parker Bayer were on the floor.
Final Game Thoughts
Having covered past and present while setting the table, it is appropriate to address the future in summarizing the night’s events.
First, it was a joy to see Coach Robinson’s children and grandchildren at the game. From ‘Junior’ on the bench exhorting the Hawks during the game to Jim’s granddaughter singing the National Anthem, Friday night's game story could have easily been entitled Hawks Family Robinson (I reserve the right to use that title for a future chapter).
Second, I have a feeling about Cardinal Stritch. It stems from a moment in the second quarter. About half way through that frame following a Cardinal score, Stritch got the ball back after a travel call but the team was not running whatever Coach Reicker had called. He called a time out and vociferously reminded his team – for each and every moment of a 30 second time out – to stay disciplined.
It was at this instant that the connection could clearly be made between the two head coaches; neither coach being willing to tolerate loose play on either end - knowledge passed on from generation to generation.
Cardinal Stritch has a solid core of front line players coming back next year. To be sure, they will miss sharpshooting Senior Guard Justin Stahler, but if they can find someone with outside scoring skills the TAAC had better watch out. Watching them play brought back memories of the Hawks circa 2008-9.
Finally as to the Hawks; they have made it through the mid-January stretch undefeated. Now, following a bout with final exams they face two games which will likely decide the TAAC championship and a number one seed in the Sectional Pairings. TC and Ottawa Hills are the next games on Maumee Valley’s schedule. For that future, we wait with anticipation and optimism…
Scoring
And now for the happy totals. Rick led the way with 18 points, followed by Jared who scored 17 and had 19 rebounds in only 20 minutes of action, Julius with 15, Jon with 4, Dave with 3, Dixon with 2 and Daniel Brandon with 1.
Next up
It’s finals week at MV, and the boys have the entire week off until next Saturday evening when the Hawks travel to Toledo Christian for the second round of back-to-back games among the league leaders. TC’s gym is not much bigger than Maumee Valley’s and the game will sell out.
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