Setting the Table
So often times it happens, that we live our lives in chains
and we never even know we have the key
- Jack Tempchin and Robert Arnold Strandlun
Like the Green Bears of Ottawa Hills, the Toledo Christian Eagles have appeared to be an insurmountable obstacle for Maumee Valley. For the past ten years, seeing TC on the schedule basically meant wondering if the loss would be by 30 or more. More often than not the answer to that question was yes.
Over the past three years, this has changed. To be sure, there weren’t many Division I teams that could handle the great TC clubs of ’05-09, which featured the five starters who played every game from freshman year until their 2009 graduation. That was a special group of basketball players.
Now over the past two years a change has been coming. It almost happened last year, but TC’s Nick Rightnowar tore out and stomped on the collective hearts of all Hawk fans last year with his game winning three from the bleachers as time expired. And again in December, the Blue and White nearly crested the summit but ran out of oxygen as Rick Deichert’s three-ball to send the game to overtime left his hands about 0.2 seconds too late.
In a way, this prelude is a tribute to the Toledo Christian basketball program. During every step of the Hawks' development, the TC basketball program stood out as a measuring stick. The Hawks saw them in the Whitmer and Central Catholic summer leagues, and it was there that MV experienced how the Eagles learned the toughness necessary to stay with City League teams. When Coach Robinson talks about discipline and execution, one only has to look northeast on the Anthony Wayne Trail and think about that TAAC standard, the TC 1-3-1 zone. And there are other things, the fan passion, the commitment and the insistence of adhering to standards that makes the TC program worthy of respect.
But if Glenn Frey and company were on hand this night, they might have noted that Maumee Valley finally found the key and fully shed the chains of despair against the TAAC upper-echelon.
Game Summary
Saturday January 29, 2011 at the TC gym, Maumee Valley snapped a multi-year drought and defeated the TC Eagles 47-46 in overtime.
The Hawks were down 23-12 at the half, shooting a paltry 23% from the field. But they found their game in the second half, pounding the ball inside and taking advantage of TC foul trouble late.
MV played as much press as TC this evening, something that would have been unthinkable a year or two ago.
Free throws were key down the stretch and MV was up for the challenge. Unofficially, the Hawks were 15-20 at the line this evening, including the game winner by Dave Brown late in OT.
TC's David Westmeyer took the last shot at the buzzer but it bounced off the right side of the rim, and it was the Hawks turn to celebrate.
First Quarter TC 14 – MV 6
Starting five – Dave Brown (’13), Rick Deichert (’12), Jared Sturt (’12), Dixon Stoddard (’12) and Jonathan Krueger (’12)
TC started out in its base 1-3-1 defense. MV, which had enjoyed much success against TC with its hybrid 2-3 zone began with that defense – the first time the Hawks had opened in zone all season.
At the outset, Jared played tall and strong. He scored the first two points off a Dixon miss and drew a foul from David Westmeyer at 5:43. Jared made both and MV led 4-0.
TC countered with their press and although there were no Hawk miscues handling the ball, they missed their next two chances and TC tied the game at four apiece.
Rick made the next basket for the Hawks and at the next stoppage – the 4:14 mark, Julius entered the game.
The Hawks were overplaying the ball frequently in the quarter but couldn’t get to the passing lanes quickly enough. A two, and two three pointers later, TC was ahead 12-6. The Eagles were 3-4 early from three point range, and Coach Robinson called time to cool things down.
He also made a strategic decision to switch into man defense, and MV stayed there for the rest of the evening. TC had obviously learned their lessons from the first game. Here's an example from the first half.
Unfortunately one thing that also was cool was Maumee Valley’s shooting. The Hawks kept missing early and following a few unfruitful possessions for both teams, TC scored on an inbounds play to make it 14-6. They would get the ball back for the last possession but did not convert.
The quarter ended with the home team up by eight. It seemed like the lead could have been bigger.
Second Quarter TC 9 – MV 6
Starting the quarter – Dave, Rick, Jared, Julius, Dixon
It looked as if MV would start in rousing fashion; they pulled a rebound and took off on the fast break, but Julius was rung up for offensive foul. The MV coaching was not pleased with the call.
MV now initiated the pressure and began to press. They generated a turnover, then after a missed shot Julius was called for his second foul of the evening with 6:23 left.
The veteran refereeing crew, which had let the players go up this point, began to call a series of off-ball fouls to tone down the physicality. Dixon was called for a foul, then after an Eagle basket extending the lead to 16-6, Dixon was fouled himself and made one of two shots.
TC held the ball for a thirty second stretch and then MV overplayed another pass, leading to another Eagle three pointer on a wide open look. MV missed on its subsequent possession and TC made another shot + 1, missing on the free throw, but extending its lead to 21-7.
At 3:03, Rick was fouled hard (ouch) but got off the canvas and make one of two free throws. David Westmeyer was then called for his third foul with about 2:40 remaining, and was pulled by Coach Dave McWhinnie.
MV scored next on a home run pass against an Eagle press to make it 21-10 TC. Rick was hit hard again at the 2:30 mark and Nick Frasco entered the game with 2:24 left. Both Nick and Dave missed shots late in the second, while TC made yet another three pointer.
Dave Brown cashed in on the last possession, a driving basket with 1.2 seconds left.
At the half the score was Eagles 23 – Hawks 12. Maumee Valley was 4-17 (23%) from the floor in the first 16 minutes.
Third Quarter MV 16 – TC 9.
Starting the quarter – Initial game starters
I had a chance to speak with Coach Robinson after the game. He relayed that the locker room was very businesslike at halftime. No emotional speeches, just some adjustments and a goal of cutting the hosts’ lead to six by quarter-end.
Meanwhile, TC’s Senior forward David Westmeyer started the quarter on the bench with his three fouls.
MV began the quarter by opening the right side for Rick to drive the hoop for a two + 1, which he missed. TC answered with an almost identical play which did result in an old-fashioned three pointer.
With the Eagles’ premier inside player on the bench, the Blue and White kept working near the cylinder. Dixon manned up with a strong move for two points.
Coach McWhinnie didn’t like what he saw and brought Westmeyer back into the game. He quickly picked up his fourth foul with 6:32 still left in the frame.
The home team had come back to earth after a stellar first half shooting performance. Both teams were held scoreless for nearly two minutes, then Jared converted on an offensive rebound to get MV within eight.
TC was still struggling offensively and called time out at 4:07 left. They scored a two pointer and got the ball back, but another of the Eagle starters, Luke Sims, was called for his third foul on the offensive end at 2:33.
It was 30-22 Eagles when Julius scored two points. Then Dixon stole a pass at the top of the key, drove the length of the court and scored, narrowing the lead to 30-26. The Hawks offense was taking advantage of the double teams on Jared to find open looks by Dixon and Julius instead of forcing passes in.
The Hawk fans were in a frenzy when TC called another time out at 1:25 to again get their bearings. And no one from the visitors’ side could complain about home cooking from the officials; the fouls stood at five against TC versus one on MV.
TC scored two, then Jared found the hoop with 34 seconds remaining for the final basket of the quarter. MV had bettered than their Coach’s request by two, cutting the TC lead to 32-28 at the end of three.
With the crowd on both ends on their feet screaming, one of Coach Robinson’s long-time friends turned to me and said ‘and now the game begins’.
Fourth Quarter MV 14 – TC 10
Starting the quarter – Rick, Dave, Dixon, Julius and Jared
The quarter went on hold almost as quickly as it started, when TC called a time out just 22 seconds in to avoid a traveling call on a player who was falling down. Rick promptly stole the ball and at the Hawks end, Dixon scored a basket + 1 off an inbounds play.
In a sign of things to come, Dixon made the free throw. It was 32-31 TC. On the other end, Jared committed his first foul of the game at 6:55 and TC made both ends.
It was MV’s turn and Dave Brown found the right baseline open for a driving two to cut it back to 34-33.
TC then stole a page from the Robinson playbook, capitalizing on a beautiful backdoor pass for a basket and the home team led by three, 36-33. MV called time out at 5:46.
With several Eagles playing in severe foul trouble, MV went back inside to Jared for two, cutting it to 36-35.
Then TC turned it over on an errant pass. At the Hawks end, Julius made his favorite drop-step fake from the right wing and was fouled as he cruised past his defender.
Julius made both and the visitors had their first lead since early in the game.
TC started to pressure themselves on offense and again threw a pass away. On MV’s next possession, the guards held the ball as if to stall. Coach McWhinnie pulled his guards out of the 1-3-1, opening up the middle for a lob pass by Dixon to Jared for two.
The Blue and White now led by three with 2:40 to go.
The hosts called their final time out of the regular session with 2:40 to go. TC had committed nine fouls to two on MV’s part. On the ensuing possession, TC burned several seconds off the clock then missed a tough shot. Dave Brown gathered in the rebound and was fouled.
Now in the double bonus, Dave made both shots. MV enjoyed a five point lead, but not for long. This was a 10 ticket roller coaster ride; there was much more to come.
Jonathan Krueger committed his fifth foul with 1:17 to go.
TC’s Josh Whitlow then hit a three pointer to cut the lead to two.
After a MV time out, Julius was fouled with 46.8 seconds left and made one of two for a three point lead.
But again TC’s seniors rose to the challenge and came back with a three pointer. It was 42-42 with 26 seconds left.
MV held the ball for most of those 26 seconds...
...but TC slapped the ball out of bounds with 1.6 seconds remaining. Coach Robinson called a final time out and came up with this play.
The Jared putback was waived off and the teams went to a 4:00 Overtime session.
Overtime – MV 5 – TC 4
Starting the period – Rick, Dave, Jared, Julius and Dixon
Three of TCs starters were on the floor with four fouls. This would weigh heavily on the overtime period.
MV recovered the tip, but Julius was called for an offensive foul (his third) and at the TC end, Dave Brown fouled Josh Whitlow while shooting two; Whitlow made both ends and the Eagles had the early lead.
The Blue and White came right back on an entry pass to Dixon, who scored two and tied the game at 44.
Jared came up huge for the Hawksquad during the next stretch. He blocked one shot which MV recovered but could not convert, then another on a beautifully timed block from behind. Two straight TC possessions, two straight rejections.
On the second block, TC had the possession on the in-bounds, but the team rose up and forced a five second call and it was MV ball with 2:13 left.
MV methodically executed its high post offense and Jared fired a pass to Rick underneath. He was hammered going up
...and made both free throws, giving the visitors a 46-44 lead. Rick subsequently fouled David Westmeyer trying to work through a screen. Westmeyer made only the front end, but Jared stepped out of bounds going after the rebound on the missed second shot.
TC had the ball in, but another communications breakdown led to a thrown away in-bounds pass. The Hawks had the ball and a one point lead with 1:19 left but turned it over at their end.
TC spread the floor this time with a Dean Smith-esque four corners offense looking to generate a three point try. They got their chance but missed. Maumee Valley got the rebound and began to burn clock on its end. TC, realizing time was their enemy fouled Dave Brown with 28.6 seconds left.
Significantly, the foul was committed by Senior Nick Rightnowar, TC’s clutch three point shooter. It was his fifth and he was gone for the evening. Dave made one of two shots and it was 47-45 MV with 28 seconds left.
TC got the ball into their front court, called time to draw up a play, which was a Josh Whitlow drive to the basket. He was fouled, and made only one of two. It was MV ball, up by one.
The Eagles had no choice but to foul, and sent Julius to the line.
He missed both - and with 9.5 seconds to play… well, see for yourself – from two angles.
First, courtesy Blake Stoddard
And here is the reverse angle
It was the Blue and White’s turn to flood the court.
Final Game Thoughts
For a group of underclassmen, this team is showing some major league poise. They are undefeated on the road, including wins against a (then) top 10 team and a perrenial Conference power on hostile territory. In both games the Hawks came from behind for the win.
Maumee Valley was rusty in the first half after a 10-day layoff and it showed. But they didn’t lose faith and methodically cut the lead down, then came back a second time from an early deficit in the extra period.
They made their free throws down the stretch - 15 for 20 overall, and scoring 3 of their five OT points at the line.
These traits are key to success in the playoffs, where every game is an away game, the competition gets tougher with each game and free throws often decide things.
Overall, this game had a different feel from the loss in the first game, probably because the Hawks led down the stretch and it was TC trying to come from behind. And being the tough team they are, the Eagles had a chance at the end to win it and they just fell short. This was a big win for the Hawks.
It is wishful thinking to say farewell to this group of Eagles. Like the Band of the same name, I suspect a farewell tour is already in the works. The Hawks could easily see TC again in the playoffs.
Scoring
And now for the happy totals. Jared Sturt led with 12, Dixon Stoddard had 10, Julius Turner and Dave Brown had 9 and Rick Deichert scored 7.
Next up
The big TAAC showdown with Ottawa Hills will have to wait, as the Blizzard of '11 is on track for a Tuesday afternoon arrival. No word at this moment on rescheduling.
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