According to the Toledo Blade game capsule (print version only), the Hawks picked up a new guard, Rick Beichert, who contributed 11 last evening.
Further, in the box score word has leaked of a new Guard - Nick Frasko and two(!) Forwards - Dixon Stobbard and Jon Kruger.
Jim Fish is rocketing up the watch list for TAAC executive of the year, as the deal with the Green Bears continues to pay dividends.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
MV 85 - North Baltimore 39 - Quick Summary
The Hawks tallied their highest point total in the Jim Robinson era, smacking down the North Baltimore Tigers 85-39. MV's inside game was outstanding against a taller NB front line as evidenced by the evening's record setting high scorers - Jared Sturt tied his career high with 25, Julius Turner had his MV-best 19 (all but three from two point range or the line) and Dixon Stoddard set a new career mark with 11 on the evening. The game was never close, as full court pressure stymied the hosts early. The Hawks scored the first ten points of the game and never looked back.
Other scorers for the HawkSquad included Rick Deichert with 11, Dave Brown 6, Caleb Willhight 5, and Nick Frasco and Jonathan Krueger 4.
One more full week off for the Hawks, then it's back to TAAC play at the Emannuel Christian Roy Parmalee Gymnasium against the tied-for-first-place Warriors. The Warriors just dropped two in a row in their own Holiday Tournament, including a last second heartbreaker Friday night against Summerfield, Michigan.
Other scorers for the HawkSquad included Rick Deichert with 11, Dave Brown 6, Caleb Willhight 5, and Nick Frasco and Jonathan Krueger 4.
One more full week off for the Hawks, then it's back to TAAC play at the Emannuel Christian Roy Parmalee Gymnasium against the tied-for-first-place Warriors. The Warriors just dropped two in a row in their own Holiday Tournament, including a last second heartbreaker Friday night against Summerfield, Michigan.
MV 85 - North Baltimore 39 - Insightful Internet Commentary
No, these are not Apollo Astronauts, they are Caleb Willhight and Julius Turner in their warm-ups and headphones discussing the 46 point Hawk victory over the North Baltimore Tigers:
Friday, December 30, 2011
North Baltimore Preview
Fast facts
Opponent: North Baltimore
Enrollment (9-12): 260
Division/League: D-IV / Midland Athletic League (12 members)
Team Nickname: Tigers
Preview from Blanchard River Buzz
Head Coach: Jon Eicher (1st season)
Last Season: 8-13 overall, 4-7 Midland Athletic League
This Season: 0-7 overall, 0-3 MAL
Returning Letterwinners: Evan North 6-5, sr., F; 5.3 ppg., 5.8 rpg.; Andrew Peters 6-0, sr., G; 1.2 ppg., Austin Davis 6-4, sr., F; Alex James 6-3, sr., C; 1 ppg.;
Top Prospects: Jacob Frost 6-1, soph., G; Jordan Watson 6-1, jr., G; Travis Engard 6-0, sr., F; Branden Sully 5-7, soph., G; Chase Nichols 5-9, soph., G;
Notes: The Midland Athletic League does a fine job of publishing team and individual statistics during the season. Unfortunately for the Tigers, those statistics show a difficult picture – last place in team offense (35.0 points/game), next to last in both team defense (67.0 ppg allowed) and rebounding (-7.2 rpg average deficit). Through six games, North Baltimore’s leading scorer is their Senior big man Evan North, averaging 13/game (that’s 37% of the Tigers output for you stats geeks.). North is also fifth in MAL rebounding, averaging 7.2 boards per game.
MV lost its last outing at NB 57-53. For those who were there, it was an unforgettable game in terms of officiating.
And that’s all I’m going to say about that.
Opponent: North Baltimore
Enrollment (9-12): 260
Division/League: D-IV / Midland Athletic League (12 members)
Team Nickname: Tigers
Preview from Blanchard River Buzz
Head Coach: Jon Eicher (1st season)
Last Season: 8-13 overall, 4-7 Midland Athletic League
This Season: 0-7 overall, 0-3 MAL
Returning Letterwinners: Evan North 6-5, sr., F; 5.3 ppg., 5.8 rpg.; Andrew Peters 6-0, sr., G; 1.2 ppg., Austin Davis 6-4, sr., F; Alex James 6-3, sr., C; 1 ppg.;
Top Prospects: Jacob Frost 6-1, soph., G; Jordan Watson 6-1, jr., G; Travis Engard 6-0, sr., F; Branden Sully 5-7, soph., G; Chase Nichols 5-9, soph., G;
Notes: The Midland Athletic League does a fine job of publishing team and individual statistics during the season. Unfortunately for the Tigers, those statistics show a difficult picture – last place in team offense (35.0 points/game), next to last in both team defense (67.0 ppg allowed) and rebounding (-7.2 rpg average deficit). Through six games, North Baltimore’s leading scorer is their Senior big man Evan North, averaging 13/game (that’s 37% of the Tigers output for you stats geeks.). North is also fifth in MAL rebounding, averaging 7.2 boards per game.
MV lost its last outing at NB 57-53. For those who were there, it was an unforgettable game in terms of officiating.
And that’s all I’m going to say about that.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
MV 50 - Liberty Center 20 - Insightful Internet Commentary
Rashaan Preston and Nick Frasco share some 30 point victory-style holiday cheer this evening. Special FutureHawk appearance at the end.
MV 50 – Liberty Center 20 – Quick Summary
The Hawks made the most of their first visit to Henry County and smacked the Liberty Center Tigers by 30 tonight. MV led 11-2 at the end of the first, 24-7 at the half and well, you get the picture. Liberty Center did not break double digits in any quarter, and in fact did not score their first points until the 4:00 mark of the first.
The HawkNation rained three’s down on the home team, shooting a sizzling 9 for 16 from beyond the arc. Five of MV’s final six scores were three point shots.
Julius Turner led the way for the Hawks with 12 tonight. Rick Deichert and Jon Krueger each had 9, Jared Sturt 8, Marcus Knabbs 5, Caleb Willhight 3, Dixon Stoddard and Dave Brown 2.
Notable MVCDS-ers Tyler Boehm, Carter Bayer and Karla Luketic were among those in attendence tonight, scouting the varsity in advance of Tuesday's Alumni Holiday Hoops extravaganza at the Valley.
The JVs struggled to score in the opener, and dropped a 18-15 contest to the hosts.
The HawkNation rained three’s down on the home team, shooting a sizzling 9 for 16 from beyond the arc. Five of MV’s final six scores were three point shots.
Julius Turner led the way for the Hawks with 12 tonight. Rick Deichert and Jon Krueger each had 9, Jared Sturt 8, Marcus Knabbs 5, Caleb Willhight 3, Dixon Stoddard and Dave Brown 2.
Notable MVCDS-ers Tyler Boehm, Carter Bayer and Karla Luketic were among those in attendence tonight, scouting the varsity in advance of Tuesday's Alumni Holiday Hoops extravaganza at the Valley.
The JVs struggled to score in the opener, and dropped a 18-15 contest to the hosts.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Liberty Center Preview
Fast facts
Opponent: Liberty Center
Enrollment (9-12): 375
Division/League: D-III / NWOAL
Team Nickname: Tigers
Preview – 95% courtesy the Blade’s NWOAL preview
Coach: Eric Prigge, fourth season
Last season: 5-16, 2-6 NWOAL
This season: LC is off to a brutal 0-5 start, including an 18-17 (!) loss to Edon last week. Edon lost its opener to Fayette (MV beat Fayette by 11) by a score of 46-38.*
Top players: Seniors Dustin Mock, 5-10, F. Juniors Kody Snyder, 5-11, G; Tyler Davis, 5-11, F; Maetrix Couch, 5-9, G; Jared Bare, 5-10, F; Zach Bare, 5-11, F. Sophomore Kaleb Pohlman, 6-1, F-C.
Outlook: Snyder (2 points) and Pohlman (4 points, 2 rebounds) represent the Tigers' experienced players. No one else has any varsity experience in what figures as a rebuilding project.
"The keys to success for this group will be to consistently bring a high level of effort and focus," Prigge said.
Solid and consistent contributions from newcomers like Mock, Davis, and Couch could go a long way toward LC making a push up the standings.
Notes: MV won last year’s contest 50-33 in the Valley…the Hawks have been off for a week, coming off the 51-39 win over Ottawa Hills…MV has clawed back into the JJ Huddle State D-IV teams to watch list…Gibsonburg is in there as well.
* Hawkblog Surgeon General’s Warning: Full reliance on the Transitive Property for high school basketball purposes can be hazardous to your emotional health - Cardinal Stritch lost last night to a Genoa team which had no player over 6'2". It was a painful sight to behold.
Opponent: Liberty Center
Enrollment (9-12): 375
Division/League: D-III / NWOAL
Team Nickname: Tigers
Preview – 95% courtesy the Blade’s NWOAL preview
Coach: Eric Prigge, fourth season
Last season: 5-16, 2-6 NWOAL
This season: LC is off to a brutal 0-5 start, including an 18-17 (!) loss to Edon last week. Edon lost its opener to Fayette (MV beat Fayette by 11) by a score of 46-38.*
Top players: Seniors Dustin Mock, 5-10, F. Juniors Kody Snyder, 5-11, G; Tyler Davis, 5-11, F; Maetrix Couch, 5-9, G; Jared Bare, 5-10, F; Zach Bare, 5-11, F. Sophomore Kaleb Pohlman, 6-1, F-C.
Outlook: Snyder (2 points) and Pohlman (4 points, 2 rebounds) represent the Tigers' experienced players. No one else has any varsity experience in what figures as a rebuilding project.
"The keys to success for this group will be to consistently bring a high level of effort and focus," Prigge said.
Solid and consistent contributions from newcomers like Mock, Davis, and Couch could go a long way toward LC making a push up the standings.
Notes: MV won last year’s contest 50-33 in the Valley…the Hawks have been off for a week, coming off the 51-39 win over Ottawa Hills…MV has clawed back into the JJ Huddle State D-IV teams to watch list…Gibsonburg is in there as well.
* Hawkblog Surgeon General’s Warning: Full reliance on the Transitive Property for high school basketball purposes can be hazardous to your emotional health - Cardinal Stritch lost last night to a Genoa team which had no player over 6'2". It was a painful sight to behold.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
MV 43 - TC 42 - Insightful Internet Commentary
The two fourth quarter heros, Dave Brown and Jonathan Krueger, are interviewed by the Hawkblog's version of Chick Hearn, our own Mark Frasco.
Your Hawkblogger passes no judgment on what Dixon Stoddard and Thad Woodard were doing in the background. I'm just sayin'...
Your Hawkblogger passes no judgment on what Dixon Stoddard and Thad Woodard were doing in the background. I'm just sayin'...
MV 51 - OH 39 Insightful Internet Commentary
It's the hat version, starring Julius Turner and Rick Deichert.
Hawks get player to be named later in AJ King trade
The Blade scooped ESPN in uncovering the second half of the AJ King trade in their game story from last evening.
Check out the quotes from new Hawk guard Frederick Dietrich, a three point specialist sent over to the Hawks from the Ottawa Hills German development squad.
Pictures too!!
Seriously, thanks to the Blade for their stellar Hawks coverage this season.
Story now corrected on-line...
Check out the quotes from new Hawk guard Frederick Dietrich, a three point specialist sent over to the Hawks from the Ottawa Hills German development squad.
Pictures too!!
Seriously, thanks to the Blade for their stellar Hawks coverage this season.
Story now corrected on-line...
About that video...and an apology
Your Hawkblogger will go contrarian on current HawkNation buzz and say for the record that the OH spirit video was witty and well done.
MV should come up with a TASTEFUL answer next time out. That's what High School sports are all about.
APOLOGY - Your Hawkblogger's for-profit business activites have recently gotten in the way of the much more important business of blogging, but the weekend and the seven day stretch between games now will provide a much needed opportunity to catch up on full game stories, et. al. Keep checking in over the weekend.
MV should come up with a TASTEFUL answer next time out. That's what High School sports are all about.
APOLOGY - Your Hawkblogger's for-profit business activites have recently gotten in the way of the much more important business of blogging, but the weekend and the seven day stretch between games now will provide a much needed opportunity to catch up on full game stories, et. al. Keep checking in over the weekend.
Maumee Valley 51 - Ottawa Hills 39 - quick summary
HawkNation was out in full force last night to watch their team defeat the Green Bears 51-39 at the Valley. With the win, Maumee Valley righted their ship in TAAC play. They earned a 2-1 record playing the three-games-in-seven-nights gauntlet of Gibsonburg, TC and OH. The back to back wins against TC and OH are another milestone for MV.
Ottawa Hills has a big front line, but if you can't get the ball into that group, they can't do much damage. MV used full court pressure defense and forced 22 OH turnovers during the contest. The defense energized the home team, which jumped to a 13 point half time lead. In the second half, the Hawks played a lot of Robo-ball, controlling the pace and reducing the Bears' shot opportunities. MV made their free throws down the stretch and iced the game in the last quarter.
Dave Brown was the unsung hero of the second half, controlling the ball for a series of long stretches for which OH had no answer. Opponents simply don't apply more than token pressure against MV this season because of Dave's ball-handling presence.
The win was the Hawks' first over their TAAC rivals at the Varsity Gym in at least five years.
MV's trio of Rick Deichert, Julius Turner and Jared Sturt combined for 42 points on the evening. Each had their hot streaks, especially Julius in the first quarter, then Rick in the second.
Also scoring for the Hawks were Jon Krueger with 5 and Dave Brown with four, all big free throws in the fourth quarter.
Ottawa Hills has a big front line, but if you can't get the ball into that group, they can't do much damage. MV used full court pressure defense and forced 22 OH turnovers during the contest. The defense energized the home team, which jumped to a 13 point half time lead. In the second half, the Hawks played a lot of Robo-ball, controlling the pace and reducing the Bears' shot opportunities. MV made their free throws down the stretch and iced the game in the last quarter.
Dave Brown was the unsung hero of the second half, controlling the ball for a series of long stretches for which OH had no answer. Opponents simply don't apply more than token pressure against MV this season because of Dave's ball-handling presence.
The win was the Hawks' first over their TAAC rivals at the Varsity Gym in at least five years.
MV's trio of Rick Deichert, Julius Turner and Jared Sturt combined for 42 points on the evening. Each had their hot streaks, especially Julius in the first quarter, then Rick in the second.
Also scoring for the Hawks were Jon Krueger with 5 and Dave Brown with four, all big free throws in the fourth quarter.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Ottawa Hills preview - Friday night sell-out
Fast facts
Opponent: Ottawa Hills
Enrollment (9-12): 291
Division/League: D-IV/TAAC
Team Nickname: Green Bears
From The Blade’s TAAC preview
Coach: John Lindsay, 17th season
Last season: 20-3, 11-1
This season: The Bears were 2-0 and on the JJHuddle list of D-IV teams to watch until they ran into the Cardinal Stritch Buzzsaws Tuesday evening. Looking ahead, maybe??
Top players: Senior Ian Trickey, 6-0, G. Juniors Lucas Janowicz, 6-4, P; A.J. King, 6-2, G. Sophomores Geoffrey Beans, 6-4, W; Ben Silverman, 5-11, G.
Outlook: The Green Bears should have an edge in size over most foes.
Janowicz scored 12.5 points per game and grabbed 7.5 boards per game to earn All-TAAC second team honors. Trickey (4.9 points) also started last season, while Beans (3.4 points) played as a freshman.
Five letter winners are back - plus MV letter winner AJ King..
Speed, experience, and depth could be potential trouble areas.
"Three of our top six players are sophomores," said Lindsay, who has a career record of 232-121. "With our lack of depth, we must stay healthy."
Opponent: Ottawa Hills
Enrollment (9-12): 291
Division/League: D-IV/TAAC
Team Nickname: Green Bears
 |
| So who does this guy root for when OH plays Gibsonburg? |
From The Blade’s TAAC preview
Coach: John Lindsay, 17th season
Last season: 20-3, 11-1
This season: The Bears were 2-0 and on the JJHuddle list of D-IV teams to watch until they ran into the Cardinal Stritch Buzzsaws Tuesday evening. Looking ahead, maybe??
Top players: Senior Ian Trickey, 6-0, G. Juniors Lucas Janowicz, 6-4, P; A.J. King, 6-2, G. Sophomores Geoffrey Beans, 6-4, W; Ben Silverman, 5-11, G.
Outlook: The Green Bears should have an edge in size over most foes.
Janowicz scored 12.5 points per game and grabbed 7.5 boards per game to earn All-TAAC second team honors. Trickey (4.9 points) also started last season, while Beans (3.4 points) played as a freshman.
Five letter winners are back - plus MV letter winner AJ King..
Speed, experience, and depth could be potential trouble areas.
"Three of our top six players are sophomores," said Lindsay, who has a career record of 232-121. "With our lack of depth, we must stay healthy."
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
MV 43 - TC 42 - Quick Summary
The Hawks shot out to another double digit lead then watched it disappear against the Toledo Christian Eagles last night. This time the script allowed MV to be the heros, as they held on for a one point victory. The Hawks' free throw demons continue to haunt them, as they were 6-17 from the line.
The Toledo Blade was at the game last night and here is a link to their game story.
Here is a link to their photo gallery.
And now for the happy totals: Jared Sturt 12, Rick Deichert 11, Julius Turner 6, Dave Brown 5, Jonathan Krueger 4, Caleb Willhight 3, and Dixon Stoddard 2.
But TAAC wins are proving highly valuable, as the league is at its most balanced in recent memory. Exhibit A for that argument is last night's 50-34 Cardinal Stritch spanking of Ottawa Hills, in the Village no less. Those same Green Bears travel to the Valley Friday night to face the 3-1 Hawks in the second sold-out game in a row. The game will be broadcast on BCSN.
The Toledo Blade was at the game last night and here is a link to their game story.
Here is a link to their photo gallery.
And now for the happy totals: Jared Sturt 12, Rick Deichert 11, Julius Turner 6, Dave Brown 5, Jonathan Krueger 4, Caleb Willhight 3, and Dixon Stoddard 2.
But TAAC wins are proving highly valuable, as the league is at its most balanced in recent memory. Exhibit A for that argument is last night's 50-34 Cardinal Stritch spanking of Ottawa Hills, in the Village no less. Those same Green Bears travel to the Valley Friday night to face the 3-1 Hawks in the second sold-out game in a row. The game will be broadcast on BCSN.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Winner, Winner...
 |
| We had 'em all the way. |
...Chicken Dinner
And your Varsity final is - MV 43 - TC 42. The last four MV/TC games have now been decided by a total of 8 points.
Toledo Christian Preview
Fast facts
Opponent: Toledo Christian
Enrollment (9-12): 261
Division/League: D-IV
Team Nickname: Eagles
From the Toledo Blade TAAC preview
Coach: Dave McWhinnie, 11th season
Last season: 17-8, 9-3 TAAC
This season: The Eagles are 1-1, losing their opener to Anthony Wayne 47-36, then squeezing by Cardinal Stritch 62-60 in double OT
Top players: Seniors Cameron Stewart, 6-1, F; Craig Bridgeman, 6-4, F. Juniors Eric Cellier, 6-2, F; Ben Ivan, 6-3, F; Dominique Pittman, 5-9, G; Josh Winzeler, 6-2, G.
Outlook: Pittman (4.7 points, 2.0 assists per game), Cellier (6.3 points, 2.2 rebounds) and Ivan (3.2 points, 3.0 rebounds) are McWhinnie's only returning letter winners.
"Our team has quick, strong athletes that will contribute at both ends of the floor," McWhinnie said.
All five starters are new, so inexperience may play a role.
"We have to jell as a team early because of the experience the top league teams return," McWhinnie said.
The Hawks and Eagles have played several classic games over the last two years, each having success on the other teams’ home court. TC knocked Maumee Valley out of the playoffs last year in double overtime in the game-which-has-not-been-blogged-yet.
Small stuff: MV defeated TC in Premier Summer League play…TC lost all five starters from last year’s TAAC third place team…this will be one of the last games in the classic old-school TC gym
Opponent: Toledo Christian
Enrollment (9-12): 261
Division/League: D-IV
Team Nickname: Eagles
From the Toledo Blade TAAC preview
Coach: Dave McWhinnie, 11th season
Last season: 17-8, 9-3 TAAC
This season: The Eagles are 1-1, losing their opener to Anthony Wayne 47-36, then squeezing by Cardinal Stritch 62-60 in double OT
Top players: Seniors Cameron Stewart, 6-1, F; Craig Bridgeman, 6-4, F. Juniors Eric Cellier, 6-2, F; Ben Ivan, 6-3, F; Dominique Pittman, 5-9, G; Josh Winzeler, 6-2, G.
Outlook: Pittman (4.7 points, 2.0 assists per game), Cellier (6.3 points, 2.2 rebounds) and Ivan (3.2 points, 3.0 rebounds) are McWhinnie's only returning letter winners.
"Our team has quick, strong athletes that will contribute at both ends of the floor," McWhinnie said.
All five starters are new, so inexperience may play a role.
"We have to jell as a team early because of the experience the top league teams return," McWhinnie said.
The Hawks and Eagles have played several classic games over the last two years, each having success on the other teams’ home court. TC knocked Maumee Valley out of the playoffs last year in double overtime in the game-which-has-not-been-blogged-yet.
Small stuff: MV defeated TC in Premier Summer League play…TC lost all five starters from last year’s TAAC third place team…this will be one of the last games in the classic old-school TC gym
Gibsonburg 46 – MV 43 – quick summary
In a game of streaks, Gibsonburg owned the last one, and overcame a four point deficit late in the game to win their TAAC opener in front of a sold-out Varsity Gym Friday December 9, 2011. The Bears jumped out to an early 9-1 lead, but the Hawks outscored the Bears 24-6 to take a 10 point lead. Gibsonburg clawed back to even in the third and the game was back and forth until the end. MV had a one point lead and the ball with under a minute, but the visitors prevailed in a wild finish.
Scoring for the Hawks: Jared Sturt 13, Dave Brown 9, Julius Turner 8, Rick Deichert 7, Dixon Stoddard 4 and Jon Krueger 2.
Scoring for the Hawks: Jared Sturt 13, Dave Brown 9, Julius Turner 8, Rick Deichert 7, Dixon Stoddard 4 and Jon Krueger 2.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Girls basketball season opens
Courtesy girls basketball blogger Aaron Baker
Promising Hawks fall 53-60 in their first TAAC Match-up
After enjoying a first quarter advantage (11-9) and battling for a third quarter lead (44-38), the promising Hawks Women fell to a physical Gibsonburg team, 53-60 last night at Gibsonburg High School.Despite being hampered by fourth quarter injuries, turnovers, and foul trouble, early on the Hawks demonstrated tenacity, teamwork and overall great potential for the remaining games of the season.
Senior Guard, Kristen Bigelow, lead the pack, pouring in 25 points, and Freshman phenom, Kennedie Jackson, followed up with 12 points.What’s equally impressive is that all five starters, including Soph. Jordan Baker (2 pts 8 rebounds), Sr. Delaney Lonsway(6 pts), Sr. Genna Danes ( 12 pts) contributed offensively. Additionally, Freshman Kaylou Stoddard, Freshman Kayla Turner and Soph. Cammie Lonsway, helped beef up the Hawks defense at a few crucial moments.
Unquestionably, the Hawks Women’s best games are ahead of them, so you don’t want to miss a minute of play!
Come out and support them this Saturday at home at 2pm against Vanlue High School. Last year, this game was decided by 2pts. This promises to be a thrilling match up!
Promising Hawks fall 53-60 in their first TAAC Match-up
After enjoying a first quarter advantage (11-9) and battling for a third quarter lead (44-38), the promising Hawks Women fell to a physical Gibsonburg team, 53-60 last night at Gibsonburg High School.Despite being hampered by fourth quarter injuries, turnovers, and foul trouble, early on the Hawks demonstrated tenacity, teamwork and overall great potential for the remaining games of the season.
Senior Guard, Kristen Bigelow, lead the pack, pouring in 25 points, and Freshman phenom, Kennedie Jackson, followed up with 12 points.What’s equally impressive is that all five starters, including Soph. Jordan Baker (2 pts 8 rebounds), Sr. Delaney Lonsway(6 pts), Sr. Genna Danes ( 12 pts) contributed offensively. Additionally, Freshman Kaylou Stoddard, Freshman Kayla Turner and Soph. Cammie Lonsway, helped beef up the Hawks defense at a few crucial moments.
Unquestionably, the Hawks Women’s best games are ahead of them, so you don’t want to miss a minute of play!
Come out and support them this Saturday at home at 2pm against Vanlue High School. Last year, this game was decided by 2pts. This promises to be a thrilling match up!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
White out vs.Gibsonburg declared
The Maumee Valley Sixth Man Club has declared a white out for tomorrow. All MV fans are asked to wear white to tomorrow's game.
The game was sold out in 12 minutes at MV.
The game was sold out in 12 minutes at MV.
Gibsonburg preview - an early season big game
Fast Facts
Opponent: Gibsonburg
Enrollment (9-12): 392
Division/League: D-IV
Team Nickname: Golden Bears
Coach: Brent Liskai, 10th season
Last season: 12-11, 7-5 SLL
Courtesy of and thanks to: Toledo Blade and Blanchard Sports Buzz
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Gage Beaber 5-11, jr., P; 15.1 ppg., 2 rpg.; 4 apg.; 4 spg.; Nate Yarborogh 6-3, sr., G; 12.8 ppg., 5.4.; 1 apg.; Logan Jones 6-4, sr., P; 11.4 ppg., 8.1 rpg.; Dylan Dorfmeyer 5-10, sr., G; 4.2 ppg., 2 rpg.; Adam Clark 6-2, sr., P; 2.7 ppg., 2.7 rpg.;
TOP PROSPECTS: Matt Tille 6-0, fr., W/P; Tyler Ernsthausen 6-0, soph., P; Travis Rainey 5-10, sr., W/P; Andrew Cantrell 5-10., soph., W.
The Golden Bears were selected to finish second in the TAAC and challenge the Hawks for the top spot. They are dropping into Division IV this year after many years at the D-III level
Gibsonburg enters its first year in the TAAC and is expected to immediately contend. Four starters return, including three players that scored 10 or more points per game last season. The Golden Bears made a run to the Division III district final last season.
"We look to be competitive in a very tough league," Gibsonburg coach Brent Liskai said. "We need to win our home games and play to our potential at very tough road games."
He also said his team has good quickness.
NOTABLES: Three Golden Bears earned post-season accolades last season. Beaber was a first-team All-SLL selection, a second-team District 7 selection and a third-team All-Northwest Ohio AP selection. Yarbaorogh was an honorable mention selection on the All-SLL and All-District 7 teams. Logan Jones was a second-team All-SLL and an honorable mention on the All-District 7 and All-Northwest Ohio
IN CONTRAST - Rick Deichert and Jared Sturt were named to first teams All-TAAC and District 7. Sturt was also an honorable mention All-Ohio. Dave Brown earned 2nd team All-TAAC. Five Hawks (Rick, Jared, Dave, Julius Turner and Dixon Stoddard earned All-District (1st-2nd Team or Honorable mention) honors last year.
This will be the Bears’ first-ever TAAC game, and they will be…pardon the expression…loaded for bear. This will be a good one.
Bonus Trivia – Guards Gage Beaber (G) and Rick Deichert (MV) combined to lead their Steve Mix summer league team to a camp championship in 2007.
Opponent: Gibsonburg
Enrollment (9-12): 392
Division/League: D-IV
Team Nickname: Golden Bears
Coach: Brent Liskai, 10th season
Last season: 12-11, 7-5 SLL
Courtesy of and thanks to: Toledo Blade and Blanchard Sports Buzz
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Gage Beaber 5-11, jr., P; 15.1 ppg., 2 rpg.; 4 apg.; 4 spg.; Nate Yarborogh 6-3, sr., G; 12.8 ppg., 5.4.; 1 apg.; Logan Jones 6-4, sr., P; 11.4 ppg., 8.1 rpg.; Dylan Dorfmeyer 5-10, sr., G; 4.2 ppg., 2 rpg.; Adam Clark 6-2, sr., P; 2.7 ppg., 2.7 rpg.;
TOP PROSPECTS: Matt Tille 6-0, fr., W/P; Tyler Ernsthausen 6-0, soph., P; Travis Rainey 5-10, sr., W/P; Andrew Cantrell 5-10., soph., W.
The Golden Bears were selected to finish second in the TAAC and challenge the Hawks for the top spot. They are dropping into Division IV this year after many years at the D-III level
Gibsonburg enters its first year in the TAAC and is expected to immediately contend. Four starters return, including three players that scored 10 or more points per game last season. The Golden Bears made a run to the Division III district final last season.
"We look to be competitive in a very tough league," Gibsonburg coach Brent Liskai said. "We need to win our home games and play to our potential at very tough road games."
He also said his team has good quickness.
NOTABLES: Three Golden Bears earned post-season accolades last season. Beaber was a first-team All-SLL selection, a second-team District 7 selection and a third-team All-Northwest Ohio AP selection. Yarbaorogh was an honorable mention selection on the All-SLL and All-District 7 teams. Logan Jones was a second-team All-SLL and an honorable mention on the All-District 7 and All-Northwest Ohio
IN CONTRAST - Rick Deichert and Jared Sturt were named to first teams All-TAAC and District 7. Sturt was also an honorable mention All-Ohio. Dave Brown earned 2nd team All-TAAC. Five Hawks (Rick, Jared, Dave, Julius Turner and Dixon Stoddard earned All-District (1st-2nd Team or Honorable mention) honors last year.
This will be the Bears’ first-ever TAAC game, and they will be…pardon the expression…loaded for bear. This will be a good one.
Bonus Trivia – Guards Gage Beaber (G) and Rick Deichert (MV) combined to lead their Steve Mix summer league team to a camp championship in 2007.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
MV 74 - Monclova Christian 36 - Insightful Internet Commentary
We have a special treat for you tonight here at the Hawkblog, it's John, Paul, George and Ringo Thad Woodard, Robbie Ariss (proud scorer of his first varsity points tonight) Nick Frasco and India Bedi.
Just sit back and bask in the munificence of their in-depth analysis.
Just sit back and bask in the munificence of their in-depth analysis.
Maumee Valley 74 - Monclova Christian 36 - quick summary
It was a track meet early with Maumee Valley bringing home the gold from the Monclova Christian Thunder, 74-36. MV ran an early press and was up 20 before the end of the first quarter. From that point forward, Coach Robinson stayed in the half court defense and played long stretches at a slow pace. The Hawk starters only played 1.5 quarters of the game on average. Every Hawk played at least five minutes tonight.
Still, this was enough time for Jared Sturt to lead all scorers with 22 points. Julius Turner scored his uniform number tonight (11), and Caleb Willhight went double digits for the first time in his varsity career, downing 10 points. Also scoring for the Hawks were Dave Brown and Thad Woodard with 9 each, Rick Deichert with 7, Nick Frasco with 4, and Robbie Ariss and Nick Towns with their first varsity points - each with two on the evening.
Condolences to the Gibsonburg Golden Bear coaching staff who sent three staffers to scout the Hawks. They did not get their $5 admission's worth this evening and left at the half.
The JV's also rolled, beating their Thunder counterparts 55-12. Nick Towns led the JVs with 8, followed by Kedar Jones and Turner Booth with 7 each, Solomon Collins and Marcus Knabbs with 6 each, Jeremy Anderson and Osama Alkhalili with 4 each, Robbie Ariss with 3 and Lucas Isaza and Danny Hazimah with 2 apiece.
Still, this was enough time for Jared Sturt to lead all scorers with 22 points. Julius Turner scored his uniform number tonight (11), and Caleb Willhight went double digits for the first time in his varsity career, downing 10 points. Also scoring for the Hawks were Dave Brown and Thad Woodard with 9 each, Rick Deichert with 7, Nick Frasco with 4, and Robbie Ariss and Nick Towns with their first varsity points - each with two on the evening.
Condolences to the Gibsonburg Golden Bear coaching staff who sent three staffers to scout the Hawks. They did not get their $5 admission's worth this evening and left at the half.
The JV's also rolled, beating their Thunder counterparts 55-12. Nick Towns led the JVs with 8, followed by Kedar Jones and Turner Booth with 7 each, Solomon Collins and Marcus Knabbs with 6 each, Jeremy Anderson and Osama Alkhalili with 4 each, Robbie Ariss with 3 and Lucas Isaza and Danny Hazimah with 2 apiece.
Gibsonburg game will be a sellout
Athletic Director Jim Fish informs me that Gibsonburg travels VERY WELL, and if you don't get to this Friday's game by JV half time at the latest, you may not get in.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Monclova Christian Academy - Preview - I got nuthin'
Paraphrasing Winston Churchill
'A riddle wrapped up in an enigma'
Meaning - A puzzle - difficult to solve.
Origin - A form of Winston Churchill's quotation, made in a radio broadcast in October 1939:
"I cannot forecast to you the action of Monclova Christian Academy. It is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma; but perhaps there is a key. That key is Toledo area high school basketball interest."
There are no available previews of Monclova that I'm aware of. Here's what I know. MCA was 14-4 last year. One of those losses were to the Hawks, coincidentally by a score identical to Saturday's Fayette game - 50-39. The second scheduled game was cancelled due to snow.
In the Hawks win, 26 of the Thunder's 39 points were scored by now graduated Senior Kenny N'Douba. That's all you need to know.
Take the short trip over to Monclova Tuesday night and cheer on your Maumee Valley Hawks
 |
| The Right Honourable Gentlemen will note that the Hawks are going for two in a row. Here, here. |
'A riddle wrapped up in an enigma'
Meaning - A puzzle - difficult to solve.
Origin - A form of Winston Churchill's quotation, made in a radio broadcast in October 1939:
"I cannot forecast to you the action of Monclova Christian Academy. It is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma; but perhaps there is a key. That key is Toledo area high school basketball interest."
There are no available previews of Monclova that I'm aware of. Here's what I know. MCA was 14-4 last year. One of those losses were to the Hawks, coincidentally by a score identical to Saturday's Fayette game - 50-39. The second scheduled game was cancelled due to snow.
In the Hawks win, 26 of the Thunder's 39 points were scored by now graduated Senior Kenny N'Douba. That's all you need to know.
Take the short trip over to Monclova Tuesday night and cheer on your Maumee Valley Hawks
MV Ranked T10th in JJ Huddle preseason D-IV poll
Here's the link.
For what it's worth, JJ Huddle subjectively weights its evaluations on team results, schedule difficulty and individual player strength -individual play heavily weighted toward high-end AAU competition.
For what it's worth, JJ Huddle subjectively weights its evaluations on team results, schedule difficulty and individual player strength -individual play heavily weighted toward high-end AAU competition.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Chapter 21 – What is good? – MV 50 – Fayette 39 – 12.3.11 at the Varsity Gym - Game Story
Setting the Table – the 2011-12 pre-season essay
What is good? *
When they were four or five years old, it was just another fun game with a big orange ball. But after a while they’d make one or two baskets in a row and someone (Mrs. Hermann, likely) told them they could be good if they practiced. There were also those times during lower school recess where the games would devolve into grade school arguments – not so good...according to Mrs. Lundholm.
In 1st-3rd grade, good was passing the ball 27 times (which added up to two times around a circle) without dropping it to set a school record for the 'Maumee Valley Passing Challenge'. This sophisticated training constituted their first practice sessions.
When they were in fourth grade, four of them joined up with many of their peers to play on a shorthanded fifth grade team in their first organized league play. They didn’t win much, but learned to compete. In the meantime, a third-grader was putting in time as the ball boy for the University of Toledo’s men’s basketball team. People looked at him dribbling around in pre-game and said ‘that kid is pretty good’ – as in skilled.
In fifth and sixth grade, they played in Maumee Valley’s famed Lower School Gym, AKA ‘the Carpet’, winning several games playing a tightly packed 2-3 zone. Notably, in their games against Toledo Christian there was this young man that shot right over that zone and was impossible to stop. His mother came to every game, keeping copious statistics on his performance. Now that kid was good – talented and intense.
In seventh grade, the four guys all came home the first day of school and excitedly told their parents ‘There’s some big kid coming to school this year!’ When asked if the big kid played basketball, they replied ‘I don’t know…’ That winter, the seventh graders would win the TAAC 7th grade championship in one of the most improbable comebacks in school history – in any sport at any grade level. It was the first-ever middle school basketball championship by a Maumee Valley team. It turned out the big kid was plenty good – a rebounder and scorer.
They almost repeated in eighth grade, until a fateful call went against the Hawks with time running out in that year’s championship game. Two free throws later, it was a crushing loss. During that season, a new coach joined the middle school staff. Nobody knew his name at first. All anyone could say was that he had been a coach at Maumee and he had several good seasons there – good as in multi-year NLL champs.
In their ninth grade year, the MVCDS community was formally introduced to Coach Jim Robinson. Coach told the parents he was committed to building a top-notch basketball program. He explained the amount of hard work and dedication it would take to play basketball at this highest of standards. Of course, most of the parents were used to Maumee Valley's high standards in all other aspects of school life, so this seemed natural. Players and parents bought in. It was the dawn of a new chapter in Hawk sports history. The coach had redefined the meaning of good, raising expectations to a very high level.
Most all of the ninth graders played their own schedule that year under freshman coach Josh Arthur and nearly ran the table in Toledo, shocking teams from bigger schools boasting big time basketball histories. It was an eye opening example of what a good team could do. One freshman was called up to play varsity, and took his lumps in the 4-15 debut season. The coaching staff knew the future looked good.
The summer in between ninth and tenth grade, these Hawks had three good experiences. Several of them earned spots on AAU teams, improving their skills against tough competition. Second, the team got a taste of big time summer league play at the Whitmer High School summer league. The Blue and White were regularly punched in the nose by the big schools, but at season’s end, a first ever win over Toledo Start from the City League opened some eyes. Third, and most important – remember that young UT ball boy? He joined the team as an incoming freshman, turning heads with his ball handling and leadership abilities. Now that kid was really good – and now so was the team.
2009-10 produced a remarkable ten-game turnaround. From 4-15 the previous year, the team finished 14-6, losing in the playoffs after a pyrrhic last regular-season win in which two of the Hawks' senior starters were injured and missed the playoffs. For the group of now four sophomores and one freshman, it was their debut as varsity players. They learned the faster varsity speeds and helped MV to their best finish in nearly a decade. Good for this team was now accelerating at an accelerating rate.
During the 2010 sophomore to junior year transition summer, the final link was forged onto this team chain. Remember that TC kid who shot the lights out during grade school? He spent his freshman and sophomore years at Emmanuel Christian, earning first team all-TAAC honors in 10th grade. He began coming to the summer league games as a spectator the year before, and now he had transferred to Maumee Valley. This development was good – like the feeling when that last piece drops into a puzzle. The core of the Hawk basketball team now included a ball handler, a shooting guard, a tough post player, an athletic forward with a shot, a fighter/rebounder, a shooting forward and an all-around third guard. This many complimentary players on a single D-IV team are a rarity.
What happened next was gaining maturity. In 2010-11, the group assumed the mantle of leadership and grew up, defeating long-time TAAC rivals, one ranked in the State Top 10, on the opposition’s home courts. And the coach? He did 'good' during the season - good as in his career 500th win, A 17-2 regular season record was cut short though by a tough double overtime loss in the Sectional Finals.
But that wound healed quickly and it was off to team and individual camp, summer leagues and AAU once again. Speaking of healing, their coach suffered a stroke, but made a remarkable recovery over the summer, returing for his core group's last season together, This past summer, the guys took the time to learn each other’s games even better. The one-time summer league doormat won one of its 2011 summer leagues outright and earned a Number 4 seed in the Division-1 heavy Toledo Central Catholic summer league playoffs, losing in the semi-finals to the host school.
Now it’s the final season together for these seven Maumee Valley Hawks:
Seniors:
Rick Deichert, Nick Frasco, Jon Krueger, Dixon Stoddard, Jared Sturt, and Julius Turner
and Junior:
Dave Brown
So what is good for this group in the 2011-12 season?
This question looms large in the minds of the Maumee Valley basketball community this season. The implication of good being a relative term will definitely be part of the conversation. Expectations are high, driven by an internet age which carefully analyzes sports down to (and frankly past) the High School level. More importantly, expectations are high because these seven are determined to succeed.
Again, what is good? Regardless of the outcome of this season, the goodness in each of these gentlemen is already on display – high achievement, good character, outstanding futures ahead. One day they will look back at their own High School achievements. Your Hawkblogger hopes they will remember:
- That they prepared to and performed at their highest level possible,
- That they appreciate that they received the gift of a lifetime when Jim Robinson and his great staff decided to invest in them,
- That they grew even more as young men – and finally, hopefully
- They remember that some fateful shots, rebounds, steals and bounces went their way and this season extended well into March 2012.
Good luck, Hawks. Look beyond good. Greatness lies within you.
* - with apologies to Mrs. Price and the Senior seminar.
Game Summary
It was a packed house this evening, as students, alumni, faculty, staff and parents gathered for the christening of the 2011-12 basketball season.
Maumee Valley used balanced scoring and second half pressure defense to go 1-0 on the young season tonight, pulling away from the Fayette Eagles in the fourth quarter.
The Hawks led by three at the half on the strength of Rick Deichert's 12 points. Jared Sturt encountered some early foul trouble and was forced to miss much of the second quarter.
His return in the second half was more than the Purple and Gold visitors could handle, as they fouled Jared three times in the first minute of the third. Jared's presence underneath combined with a stifling MV press was the difference maker, as the home team extended their lead to five at the end of the third, then wore the visitors down at the end to finish the game up 11.
First Quarter – MV 12 – Fayette 8
Starting five – Dave Brown (’13), Rick Deichert (’12), Jared Sturt (’12), Jon Krueger (’12) and Julius Turner (’12)
With their tallest player not too much over six feet, Fayette did not contest the opening tip, playing four men off the jump circle in defensive mode. They would not lay back for long, pressing MV from half court in. Still Rick got open and nailed a three pointer to start the scoring. The Hawks played tough defense themselves, and it paid off as Rick got a steal and feed to Dave for two more. After another stop, Julius canned this long three pointer…
…and it was 8-0 Hawks. Coach Mitchell went to his bench for a pick-up, subbing three new players in. The visitors also slowed down the pace of play at both ends and it was a sluggish mid quarter. Fayette finally scored at the 2:29 mark to make it 8-3. Rick countered on the break with a twisting left handed finish for two. Julius stole the next Fayette possession off a trap…
…and it was 12-3 MV. Fayette called its first time out with 2:02 left. Nick Frasco replaced Rick, who had picked up his first foul. The Eagles converted their in-bounds play to cut the lead to 12-5, then a quarter ending three pointer closed the gap to four.
Second Quarter – Fayette 12 – MV 11
On the floor – Same as first quarter
Fayette threw its opening possession away and the Hawks cashed in with Jared Sturt’s first points of the year…
But Chandler Sanford hit a three for Fayette, then the Eagles got a steal near the mid court line and finished the break, cutting MV’s lead to 14-13. After a missed Hawk shot, Jared committed his second foul of the half and the visitors converted both ends. Fayette had overcome a nine point deficit to go ahead, 15-14. Jared countered with a two, but would sit out the rest of the half to avoid a third foul.
After an Eagle miss, MV threw the ball away but Fayette missed an easy layup on the break. That would be a turning point as the visitors would never lead again. Rick scored the next four points with a driving two pointer, then another two on a Euro Step finish on a break to pull the Hawks back ahead by five, 20-15.
Again, Coach Mitchell controlled the tempo with a time out at the 4:30 mark and again his team responded out of the huddle with a three-ball. They also slowed the pace once more and there was no scoring until Thad Woodard fouled Travis Pennington on a three point attempt with 2:11 to go. Pennington converted two of three to tie the score back up.
Now it was Coach Jim Robinson’s turn to demonstrate his coaching skill. Needing a answer, the Hawks ran this double-screen play setting up Rick in the corner with an open three point attempt…
…which he nailed at a key moment to put the Hawks back on top. That was the end of the first half scoring. The Hawks survived Jared's exile to the bench with a 23-20 half time lead. Rick led all scorers with 12 in the first half; he would not score for the rest of the game, contributing in other ways.
Third Quarter – MV 11 – Fayette 9
On the floor – Same as first quarter
Jared’s return to the floor proved quite disruptive for the visitors, who appeared to have game planned a physical double-team on the MV Post player. In the first 53 seconds, Fayette committed three floor fouls on Sturt, including the third on the Eagles best 2010-11 scorer, Trevor Cox. Coach Mitchell pulled his starting guard. Jared finally got the ball on an in-bounds play and scored on a put-back.
MV came out in a press, giving the Purple and Gold some trouble. Julius got a steal, and was fouled on the floor by Chandler Sanford. Jon Krueger scored on the in-bounds play and MV led 27-20. Julius again stole a pass and was again fouled on the floor, this time by Travis Pennington. Fayette finally got the ball across half court after 2:06 lapsed in the quarter and having committed five fouls.
But they didn’t quit. Pennington hit two free throws. Julius Turner responded with this three:
Again, Fayette climbed back in. Sanford made a three, then Trevor Cox scored a tough short range shot coming right to left across the key. Fayette had cut it to 30-27, but in the process had committed its seventh foul at the 1:48 mark. Julius was the victim of the foul and made both ends of the 1-and-1. Turner continued his steller defensive play with yet another steal and Jon Krueger scored next with this called (we on the Hawkblog staff are 95% this is true) bank shot.
MV almost forced a turnover on a 10 second call, but Fayette got the last second time-out. Again, the Eagles converted out of the T.O., then gained the ball back in the last 20 seconds but could not convert. Still, consistent with the first two quarters, the visitors held off an onslaught and were down only 5 at the 75% mark.
Fourth Quarter – MV 16 – Fayette 10
On the floor – Same as first quarter
MV opened the scoring with a beautiful behind the back pass by Rick to Jared who finished for two. Fayette went 1-and-done, Dave Brown pulling a rebound down and going coast-to-coast for the hoop. Fayette came back with two points, but the Hawks began to apply pressure with entry passes to Jared. He drew the foul from Travis Pennington, his fourth, and Jared made both ends.
Jon Krueger stole the ball and got it to Dave Brown on this fast break…
Maumee Valley finally had a 10 point lead, 42-31.
The visitors mounted a comeback with a two, then a three. The 42-36 margin would be their final push.
Julius got the ball to Jon for this two pointer at the 3:35 mark:
An errant pass cost the Eagles a back court violation and MV began to take time off the clock. After some deliberate play, Jared scored on an offensive rebound, then Jon Krueger was fouled grabbing a rebound by Travis Pennington – his fifth and final foul. Following more clock-burning by MV, Jared scored the Hawks’ final points of the game following this melee:
A final Fayette score at game’s end cut it to 50-39, and that was it for the evening.
Final Game Thoughts
Fayette’s coach Todd Mitchell has been at his school for ten years, and his system is well established. His Eagles are consistently well-conditioned and coached. Coach Mitchell ensures that his players are tough-nosed, well rounded and anything but quitters. He coached a great game Saturday night, strategically using his time-outs and calling key plays as play resumed. He kept his Eagles in the game, never letting Maumee Valley pull away until game’s end. We wish the Eagles well in BBC play.
Potpourri
The game was a sellout, the Varsity Gym packed to the max…the Students were out in full force providing great support to the team in their 2011-12 debut…the game was Julius’ best defensive performance of his career, far and away, with numerous steals and baseline stops..several alumni returned for the game including the Class of ‘10’s Carter Bayer and Jangus Whitner…the usual assortment of coaches from the following schools were in attendance looking for clues – Monclova Christian, TC, Ottawa Hills and Gibsonburg.
Scoring
Scoring was balanced for the Hawks this evening - Jared, with 10 in the second half led the way with 14; his counterweight Rick scored all 12 of his in the first half. Julius Turner - 10, Jonathan Krueger 8 and Dave Brown 6.
For Fayette, Trevor Cox and Travis Pennington each scored 12, Chandler Sanford had 9 and Zayne Colgrove and Kevin Ferguson each contributed 3.
Next up
It’s Kenny N’Douba-less Monclova Christian Tuesday night out at the Thunderdome, a second out-of-conference game leading up to the first big TAAC stretch – Gibsonburg-Toledo Christian-Ottawa Hills in a row between December 8 and 17.
What is good? *
When they were four or five years old, it was just another fun game with a big orange ball. But after a while they’d make one or two baskets in a row and someone (Mrs. Hermann, likely) told them they could be good if they practiced. There were also those times during lower school recess where the games would devolve into grade school arguments – not so good...according to Mrs. Lundholm.
In 1st-3rd grade, good was passing the ball 27 times (which added up to two times around a circle) without dropping it to set a school record for the 'Maumee Valley Passing Challenge'. This sophisticated training constituted their first practice sessions.
When they were in fourth grade, four of them joined up with many of their peers to play on a shorthanded fifth grade team in their first organized league play. They didn’t win much, but learned to compete. In the meantime, a third-grader was putting in time as the ball boy for the University of Toledo’s men’s basketball team. People looked at him dribbling around in pre-game and said ‘that kid is pretty good’ – as in skilled.
In fifth and sixth grade, they played in Maumee Valley’s famed Lower School Gym, AKA ‘the Carpet’, winning several games playing a tightly packed 2-3 zone. Notably, in their games against Toledo Christian there was this young man that shot right over that zone and was impossible to stop. His mother came to every game, keeping copious statistics on his performance. Now that kid was good – talented and intense.
In seventh grade, the four guys all came home the first day of school and excitedly told their parents ‘There’s some big kid coming to school this year!’ When asked if the big kid played basketball, they replied ‘I don’t know…’ That winter, the seventh graders would win the TAAC 7th grade championship in one of the most improbable comebacks in school history – in any sport at any grade level. It was the first-ever middle school basketball championship by a Maumee Valley team. It turned out the big kid was plenty good – a rebounder and scorer.
They almost repeated in eighth grade, until a fateful call went against the Hawks with time running out in that year’s championship game. Two free throws later, it was a crushing loss. During that season, a new coach joined the middle school staff. Nobody knew his name at first. All anyone could say was that he had been a coach at Maumee and he had several good seasons there – good as in multi-year NLL champs.
In their ninth grade year, the MVCDS community was formally introduced to Coach Jim Robinson. Coach told the parents he was committed to building a top-notch basketball program. He explained the amount of hard work and dedication it would take to play basketball at this highest of standards. Of course, most of the parents were used to Maumee Valley's high standards in all other aspects of school life, so this seemed natural. Players and parents bought in. It was the dawn of a new chapter in Hawk sports history. The coach had redefined the meaning of good, raising expectations to a very high level.
Most all of the ninth graders played their own schedule that year under freshman coach Josh Arthur and nearly ran the table in Toledo, shocking teams from bigger schools boasting big time basketball histories. It was an eye opening example of what a good team could do. One freshman was called up to play varsity, and took his lumps in the 4-15 debut season. The coaching staff knew the future looked good.
The summer in between ninth and tenth grade, these Hawks had three good experiences. Several of them earned spots on AAU teams, improving their skills against tough competition. Second, the team got a taste of big time summer league play at the Whitmer High School summer league. The Blue and White were regularly punched in the nose by the big schools, but at season’s end, a first ever win over Toledo Start from the City League opened some eyes. Third, and most important – remember that young UT ball boy? He joined the team as an incoming freshman, turning heads with his ball handling and leadership abilities. Now that kid was really good – and now so was the team.
2009-10 produced a remarkable ten-game turnaround. From 4-15 the previous year, the team finished 14-6, losing in the playoffs after a pyrrhic last regular-season win in which two of the Hawks' senior starters were injured and missed the playoffs. For the group of now four sophomores and one freshman, it was their debut as varsity players. They learned the faster varsity speeds and helped MV to their best finish in nearly a decade. Good for this team was now accelerating at an accelerating rate.
During the 2010 sophomore to junior year transition summer, the final link was forged onto this team chain. Remember that TC kid who shot the lights out during grade school? He spent his freshman and sophomore years at Emmanuel Christian, earning first team all-TAAC honors in 10th grade. He began coming to the summer league games as a spectator the year before, and now he had transferred to Maumee Valley. This development was good – like the feeling when that last piece drops into a puzzle. The core of the Hawk basketball team now included a ball handler, a shooting guard, a tough post player, an athletic forward with a shot, a fighter/rebounder, a shooting forward and an all-around third guard. This many complimentary players on a single D-IV team are a rarity.
What happened next was gaining maturity. In 2010-11, the group assumed the mantle of leadership and grew up, defeating long-time TAAC rivals, one ranked in the State Top 10, on the opposition’s home courts. And the coach? He did 'good' during the season - good as in his career 500th win, A 17-2 regular season record was cut short though by a tough double overtime loss in the Sectional Finals.
But that wound healed quickly and it was off to team and individual camp, summer leagues and AAU once again. Speaking of healing, their coach suffered a stroke, but made a remarkable recovery over the summer, returing for his core group's last season together, This past summer, the guys took the time to learn each other’s games even better. The one-time summer league doormat won one of its 2011 summer leagues outright and earned a Number 4 seed in the Division-1 heavy Toledo Central Catholic summer league playoffs, losing in the semi-finals to the host school.
Now it’s the final season together for these seven Maumee Valley Hawks:
Seniors:
Rick Deichert, Nick Frasco, Jon Krueger, Dixon Stoddard, Jared Sturt, and Julius Turner
and Junior:
Dave Brown
So what is good for this group in the 2011-12 season?
This question looms large in the minds of the Maumee Valley basketball community this season. The implication of good being a relative term will definitely be part of the conversation. Expectations are high, driven by an internet age which carefully analyzes sports down to (and frankly past) the High School level. More importantly, expectations are high because these seven are determined to succeed.
Again, what is good? Regardless of the outcome of this season, the goodness in each of these gentlemen is already on display – high achievement, good character, outstanding futures ahead. One day they will look back at their own High School achievements. Your Hawkblogger hopes they will remember:
- That they prepared to and performed at their highest level possible,
- That they appreciate that they received the gift of a lifetime when Jim Robinson and his great staff decided to invest in them,
- That they grew even more as young men – and finally, hopefully
- They remember that some fateful shots, rebounds, steals and bounces went their way and this season extended well into March 2012.
Good luck, Hawks. Look beyond good. Greatness lies within you.
* - with apologies to Mrs. Price and the Senior seminar.
Game Summary
It was a packed house this evening, as students, alumni, faculty, staff and parents gathered for the christening of the 2011-12 basketball season.
Maumee Valley used balanced scoring and second half pressure defense to go 1-0 on the young season tonight, pulling away from the Fayette Eagles in the fourth quarter.
The Hawks led by three at the half on the strength of Rick Deichert's 12 points. Jared Sturt encountered some early foul trouble and was forced to miss much of the second quarter.
His return in the second half was more than the Purple and Gold visitors could handle, as they fouled Jared three times in the first minute of the third. Jared's presence underneath combined with a stifling MV press was the difference maker, as the home team extended their lead to five at the end of the third, then wore the visitors down at the end to finish the game up 11.
First Quarter – MV 12 – Fayette 8
Starting five – Dave Brown (’13), Rick Deichert (’12), Jared Sturt (’12), Jon Krueger (’12) and Julius Turner (’12)
With their tallest player not too much over six feet, Fayette did not contest the opening tip, playing four men off the jump circle in defensive mode. They would not lay back for long, pressing MV from half court in. Still Rick got open and nailed a three pointer to start the scoring. The Hawks played tough defense themselves, and it paid off as Rick got a steal and feed to Dave for two more. After another stop, Julius canned this long three pointer…
…and it was 8-0 Hawks. Coach Mitchell went to his bench for a pick-up, subbing three new players in. The visitors also slowed down the pace of play at both ends and it was a sluggish mid quarter. Fayette finally scored at the 2:29 mark to make it 8-3. Rick countered on the break with a twisting left handed finish for two. Julius stole the next Fayette possession off a trap…
…and it was 12-3 MV. Fayette called its first time out with 2:02 left. Nick Frasco replaced Rick, who had picked up his first foul. The Eagles converted their in-bounds play to cut the lead to 12-5, then a quarter ending three pointer closed the gap to four.
Second Quarter – Fayette 12 – MV 11
On the floor – Same as first quarter
Fayette threw its opening possession away and the Hawks cashed in with Jared Sturt’s first points of the year…
But Chandler Sanford hit a three for Fayette, then the Eagles got a steal near the mid court line and finished the break, cutting MV’s lead to 14-13. After a missed Hawk shot, Jared committed his second foul of the half and the visitors converted both ends. Fayette had overcome a nine point deficit to go ahead, 15-14. Jared countered with a two, but would sit out the rest of the half to avoid a third foul.
After an Eagle miss, MV threw the ball away but Fayette missed an easy layup on the break. That would be a turning point as the visitors would never lead again. Rick scored the next four points with a driving two pointer, then another two on a Euro Step finish on a break to pull the Hawks back ahead by five, 20-15.
Again, Coach Mitchell controlled the tempo with a time out at the 4:30 mark and again his team responded out of the huddle with a three-ball. They also slowed the pace once more and there was no scoring until Thad Woodard fouled Travis Pennington on a three point attempt with 2:11 to go. Pennington converted two of three to tie the score back up.
Now it was Coach Jim Robinson’s turn to demonstrate his coaching skill. Needing a answer, the Hawks ran this double-screen play setting up Rick in the corner with an open three point attempt…
…which he nailed at a key moment to put the Hawks back on top. That was the end of the first half scoring. The Hawks survived Jared's exile to the bench with a 23-20 half time lead. Rick led all scorers with 12 in the first half; he would not score for the rest of the game, contributing in other ways.
Third Quarter – MV 11 – Fayette 9
On the floor – Same as first quarter
Jared’s return to the floor proved quite disruptive for the visitors, who appeared to have game planned a physical double-team on the MV Post player. In the first 53 seconds, Fayette committed three floor fouls on Sturt, including the third on the Eagles best 2010-11 scorer, Trevor Cox. Coach Mitchell pulled his starting guard. Jared finally got the ball on an in-bounds play and scored on a put-back.
MV came out in a press, giving the Purple and Gold some trouble. Julius got a steal, and was fouled on the floor by Chandler Sanford. Jon Krueger scored on the in-bounds play and MV led 27-20. Julius again stole a pass and was again fouled on the floor, this time by Travis Pennington. Fayette finally got the ball across half court after 2:06 lapsed in the quarter and having committed five fouls.
But they didn’t quit. Pennington hit two free throws. Julius Turner responded with this three:
Again, Fayette climbed back in. Sanford made a three, then Trevor Cox scored a tough short range shot coming right to left across the key. Fayette had cut it to 30-27, but in the process had committed its seventh foul at the 1:48 mark. Julius was the victim of the foul and made both ends of the 1-and-1. Turner continued his steller defensive play with yet another steal and Jon Krueger scored next with this called (we on the Hawkblog staff are 95% this is true) bank shot.
MV almost forced a turnover on a 10 second call, but Fayette got the last second time-out. Again, the Eagles converted out of the T.O., then gained the ball back in the last 20 seconds but could not convert. Still, consistent with the first two quarters, the visitors held off an onslaught and were down only 5 at the 75% mark.
Fourth Quarter – MV 16 – Fayette 10
On the floor – Same as first quarter
MV opened the scoring with a beautiful behind the back pass by Rick to Jared who finished for two. Fayette went 1-and-done, Dave Brown pulling a rebound down and going coast-to-coast for the hoop. Fayette came back with two points, but the Hawks began to apply pressure with entry passes to Jared. He drew the foul from Travis Pennington, his fourth, and Jared made both ends.
Jon Krueger stole the ball and got it to Dave Brown on this fast break…
Maumee Valley finally had a 10 point lead, 42-31.
The visitors mounted a comeback with a two, then a three. The 42-36 margin would be their final push.
Julius got the ball to Jon for this two pointer at the 3:35 mark:
An errant pass cost the Eagles a back court violation and MV began to take time off the clock. After some deliberate play, Jared scored on an offensive rebound, then Jon Krueger was fouled grabbing a rebound by Travis Pennington – his fifth and final foul. Following more clock-burning by MV, Jared scored the Hawks’ final points of the game following this melee:
A final Fayette score at game’s end cut it to 50-39, and that was it for the evening.
Final Game Thoughts
Fayette’s coach Todd Mitchell has been at his school for ten years, and his system is well established. His Eagles are consistently well-conditioned and coached. Coach Mitchell ensures that his players are tough-nosed, well rounded and anything but quitters. He coached a great game Saturday night, strategically using his time-outs and calling key plays as play resumed. He kept his Eagles in the game, never letting Maumee Valley pull away until game’s end. We wish the Eagles well in BBC play.
Potpourri
The game was a sellout, the Varsity Gym packed to the max…the Students were out in full force providing great support to the team in their 2011-12 debut…the game was Julius’ best defensive performance of his career, far and away, with numerous steals and baseline stops..several alumni returned for the game including the Class of ‘10’s Carter Bayer and Jangus Whitner…the usual assortment of coaches from the following schools were in attendance looking for clues – Monclova Christian, TC, Ottawa Hills and Gibsonburg.
Scoring
Scoring was balanced for the Hawks this evening - Jared, with 10 in the second half led the way with 14; his counterweight Rick scored all 12 of his in the first half. Julius Turner - 10, Jonathan Krueger 8 and Dave Brown 6.
For Fayette, Trevor Cox and Travis Pennington each scored 12, Chandler Sanford had 9 and Zayne Colgrove and Kevin Ferguson each contributed 3.
Next up
It’s Kenny N’Douba-less Monclova Christian Tuesday night out at the Thunderdome, a second out-of-conference game leading up to the first big TAAC stretch – Gibsonburg-Toledo Christian-Ottawa Hills in a row between December 8 and 17.
Insightful Internet Commentary - MV 50 - Fayette 39
Age and youth are both served this evening, as the veteran, Senior Dixon Stoddard and the kid, Freshman Nick Towns serve up their game commentary.
Gracious, doesn't that Maumee Valley Country Day School produce articulate gentlemen.
Gracious, doesn't that Maumee Valley Country Day School produce articulate gentlemen.
Maumee Valley 50 - Fayette 39 - Quick Summary
Welcome back everyone!!
It was a packed house this evening, as students, alumni, faculty, staff and parents gathered for the christening of the 2011-12 basketball season.
Maumee Valley used balanced scoring and second half pressure defense to go 1-0 on the young season tonight, pulling away from the Fayette Eagles in the fourth quarter.
The Hawks led by three at the half on the strength of Rick Deichert's 12 points. Jared Sturt encountered some early foul trouble and was forced to miss much of the second quarter.
His return in the second half was more than the Purple and Gold visitors could handle, as they fouled Jared three times in the first minute of the third. Jared's presence underneath combined with a stifling MV press was the difference maker, as the home team extended their lead to five at the end of the third, then wore the visitors down at the end to finish the game up 11.
Scoring was balanced for the Hawks this evening - Jared, with 10 in the second half led the way with 14, Rick - 12, Julius Turner - 10, Jonathan Krueger 8 and Dave Brown 6.
The JV's lost a 31-30 heartbreaker in the prelim., almost overcoming a 7 point deficit with under 1:30. JV scoring - Marcus Knabbs 7, Lucas Isaza 5, Solomon Collins, Rashaan Preston and Robbie Ariss 4 each, Nick Towns 3, and Truth Foreman 2.
Next up for the Hawks, a neighborhood road trip to Monclova Christian Tuesday December 6, 2011.
It was a packed house this evening, as students, alumni, faculty, staff and parents gathered for the christening of the 2011-12 basketball season.
Maumee Valley used balanced scoring and second half pressure defense to go 1-0 on the young season tonight, pulling away from the Fayette Eagles in the fourth quarter.
The Hawks led by three at the half on the strength of Rick Deichert's 12 points. Jared Sturt encountered some early foul trouble and was forced to miss much of the second quarter.
His return in the second half was more than the Purple and Gold visitors could handle, as they fouled Jared three times in the first minute of the third. Jared's presence underneath combined with a stifling MV press was the difference maker, as the home team extended their lead to five at the end of the third, then wore the visitors down at the end to finish the game up 11.
Scoring was balanced for the Hawks this evening - Jared, with 10 in the second half led the way with 14, Rick - 12, Julius Turner - 10, Jonathan Krueger 8 and Dave Brown 6.
The JV's lost a 31-30 heartbreaker in the prelim., almost overcoming a 7 point deficit with under 1:30. JV scoring - Marcus Knabbs 7, Lucas Isaza 5, Solomon Collins, Rashaan Preston and Robbie Ariss 4 each, Nick Towns 3, and Truth Foreman 2.
Next up for the Hawks, a neighborhood road trip to Monclova Christian Tuesday December 6, 2011.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
It's the most wonderful time of the year!
Here's the voice of Maumee Valley, Roger Spurgeon heralding the kick off the 2011-12 Hawk basketball season.
They aren't afraid of you - really
Here is some of the Hawksquad's out-of-conference work in summer leagues and fall scrimmages. Shootout results were not available. The regular season is played at an altogether different speed, but this is an impressive list of both competition and results:
Key
League: TRAC - Three Rivers Athletic Conference, CL - Toledo City League, NLL - Northern Lakes League, SBC - Suburban Buckeye Confrence, NWOAL - Northwest Ohio Athletic League, BBC - Buckeye Border Conference,
Predicted finish - the opponent's 2011-12 projected finish in their league, courtesy of the Toledo Blade preview from December 2, 2011.
Hawks record - in summer league games or scrimmages
Where played - TCC - Toledo Central Catholic Summer league, PL - Premier Sports (formerly Mix Sports) league, S - Scrimmage
Sorry about the spacing below. Blogger won't take a word table.
Opponent Div League Predicted finish Hawks record Where played
Toledo Scott 2 CL 2nd 1-0 TCC
Toledo Start 1 CL 4th 2-0 TCC
Toledo Waite 1 CL 5th 2-0 TCC
Tol Woodward 2 CL 6th 1-1 TCC,S
Tol Cent'l Cath 1 TRAC 2nd 0-1 TCC
Oregon Clay 1 TRAC 6th 1-0 TCC
Tol. St. Francis 2 TRAC 7th 2-0 TCC
Anthony Wayne 1 NLL 3rd 3-1 TCC, PL, S
Maumee 1 NLL 6th 2-0 PL
Northview 1 NLL 7th 2-0 TCC
Springfield 1 NLL 8th 1-0 S
Archbold 3 NWOAL 1st 1-1 S
Wauseon 2 NWOAL 3rd 2-0 PL
Delta 3 NWOAL 6th 2-0 PL
Lake 3 SBC 2nd 1-0 S
Pettisville 4 BBC N/A 2-0 PL
Monroe MI CC 3 ?? N/A 3-0 TCC
Key
League: TRAC - Three Rivers Athletic Conference, CL - Toledo City League, NLL - Northern Lakes League, SBC - Suburban Buckeye Confrence, NWOAL - Northwest Ohio Athletic League, BBC - Buckeye Border Conference,
Predicted finish - the opponent's 2011-12 projected finish in their league, courtesy of the Toledo Blade preview from December 2, 2011.
Hawks record - in summer league games or scrimmages
Where played - TCC - Toledo Central Catholic Summer league, PL - Premier Sports (formerly Mix Sports) league, S - Scrimmage
Sorry about the spacing below. Blogger won't take a word table.
Opponent Div League Predicted finish Hawks record Where played
Toledo Scott 2 CL 2nd 1-0 TCC
Toledo Start 1 CL 4th 2-0 TCC
Toledo Waite 1 CL 5th 2-0 TCC
Tol Woodward 2 CL 6th 1-1 TCC,S
Tol Cent'l Cath 1 TRAC 2nd 0-1 TCC
Oregon Clay 1 TRAC 6th 1-0 TCC
Tol. St. Francis 2 TRAC 7th 2-0 TCC
Anthony Wayne 1 NLL 3rd 3-1 TCC, PL, S
Maumee 1 NLL 6th 2-0 PL
Northview 1 NLL 7th 2-0 TCC
Springfield 1 NLL 8th 1-0 S
Archbold 3 NWOAL 1st 1-1 S
Wauseon 2 NWOAL 3rd 2-0 PL
Delta 3 NWOAL 6th 2-0 PL
Lake 3 SBC 2nd 1-0 S
Pettisville 4 BBC N/A 2-0 PL
Monroe MI CC 3 ?? N/A 3-0 TCC
Opening night preview - the Fayette Eagles
Fast facts
Opponent: Gorham Fayette
Enrollment (9-12): 212
Division/League: D-4 / Buckeye Border Conference
Team Nickname: Eagles
HEAD COACH: Todd Mitchell (10th season, 85-131)
2010-11 RECORD: 12-11 overall 4-6 Buckeye Border Conference.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Trevor Cox 6-0, sr., G; 10.3 ppg., 2.0 rpg.; 1.3 apg.; Zayne Colegrove 5-11, jr., G; 4.6 rpg., 2.5 rpg., 1.9 apg.; Kevin Ferguson 5-10, sr., G; 1 ppg., 1 rpg.;
TOP PROSPECTS: Travis Pennington 6-1, sr., G; Tyler Cox 6-3, soph., F; Chandler Sanford 5-9, soph., G; Cole Buckholder 6-2, jr., F;
IN A NUTSHELL: The Eagles lost three of five starters from last year’s 12-11 team. The 23 game result implies that Fayette had a nice 2-1 run in the playoffs last year. Cox earend an honorable mention in the BBC and a District 7 last season.
Last year’s result – In what at the time was thought to be the most exciting finish of the year, Maumee Valley spoiled Fayette’s opening night party, topping the Eagles 41-40 on a Jared Sturt basket at the buzzer.
Sources – Wikipedia, http://www.sportsbuzzohio.com/
Opponent: Gorham Fayette
Enrollment (9-12): 212
Division/League: D-4 / Buckeye Border Conference
Team Nickname: Eagles
HEAD COACH: Todd Mitchell (10th season, 85-131)
2010-11 RECORD: 12-11 overall 4-6 Buckeye Border Conference.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Trevor Cox 6-0, sr., G; 10.3 ppg., 2.0 rpg.; 1.3 apg.; Zayne Colegrove 5-11, jr., G; 4.6 rpg., 2.5 rpg., 1.9 apg.; Kevin Ferguson 5-10, sr., G; 1 ppg., 1 rpg.;
TOP PROSPECTS: Travis Pennington 6-1, sr., G; Tyler Cox 6-3, soph., F; Chandler Sanford 5-9, soph., G; Cole Buckholder 6-2, jr., F;
IN A NUTSHELL: The Eagles lost three of five starters from last year’s 12-11 team. The 23 game result implies that Fayette had a nice 2-1 run in the playoffs last year. Cox earend an honorable mention in the BBC and a District 7 last season.
Last year’s result – In what at the time was thought to be the most exciting finish of the year, Maumee Valley spoiled Fayette’s opening night party, topping the Eagles 41-40 on a Jared Sturt basket at the buzzer.
Sources – Wikipedia, http://www.sportsbuzzohio.com/
Friday, December 2, 2011
It's all bluster if you don't back it up...
But Maumee Valley was picked by the TAAC coaches as the front runner.
Here's the link to the Blade TAAC preview.
Gentlemen, enjoy the target on your respective backs. You worked hard to get here, but your next job lies ahead starting Saturday.
Here's the link to the Blade TAAC preview.
Gentlemen, enjoy the target on your respective backs. You worked hard to get here, but your next job lies ahead starting Saturday.
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