It was a historic night at the Valley. After – years, the TAAC was welcoming a new member in its first league basketball game. The Gibsonburg Golden Bears were coming to town to meet up with Maumee Valley. And what a contest it would be, the teams picked to finish first and second in the league facing off in their first-ever matchup.
An indication of how big the game would be came early in the week when (to his credit) the Gibsonburg AD called Jim Fish and let him know that upwards of 600 Golden Bear fans can be expected to travel to big games such as these. And why not? Their gymnasium’s capacity is 1,400 (Yikes!).
After some quick thinking, Mr. Fish provided the visitors with their share of the Varsity Gymnasium’s 400 total seats. Come Friday night, the house would be packed, and the signs reading ‘SOLD OUT’ were posted on every entrance.
This pattern should continue for many of the other Hawks’ games. With high expectations, huge rivalries and a balanced TAAC projected for this year, sellouts may be the rule and not the exception.
Game 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 go up 10. 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.
First Quarter – Gibsonburg 12 – MV 11
Starting five – Dave Brown (’13), Rick Deichert (’12), Jared Sturt (’12), Jonathan Krueger (’12) and Julius Turner (’12)
The game began shakily, with each team throwing a pass away. Logan Jones scored first, then Julius Turner split a pair of free throws. Gibsonburg went on a run from there with another Logan Jones jump shot, two free throws by Nate Yarborogh, and a three pointer from Gage Beaber
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| NO, ITS SPELLED B-E-A-B-E-R!!! |
– and it was a 9-1 lead for the Golden Bears. Gibsonburg’s staff had done their homework well and the Bears were clogging up the correct passing lanes.
The visitors had a chance to extend the lead further, but MV’s defense stiffened and Beaber was caught on a five second call. The Hawks worked the ball into Jared for two, then Rick came right back with a three and it was 9-6 Gibsonburg. The Home team was over the jitters.
Jon Kruger was called with his second foul at the 3:12 mark and was replaced by Dixon Stoddard. At the other end, Golden Bear wing Adam Clark fouled Jared Sturt for his second and was also removed from the game.
MV went to work. Great outside ball rotation opened a big gap for Julius Turner who knocked down a trey. The Golden Bears' Logan Jones countered with a nice turn-around jumper over Jared, for a 12-9 lead, but Jared rose uo on the next possession with a big shot block and this score at the other end:
The Hawks had comeback from an early eight point deficit to down only one at the end of the first.
Second Quarter MV 14 – Gibsonburg 7
On the floor for MV: Jared, Julius, Rick, Dave, Dixon
Maumee Valley started the quarter out in its hybrid 2-3 zone, and Nate Yarborogh took advantage with a three pointer. Dave Brown countered with a big-league driving scoop shot, and made a free throw for an old-fashioned three pointer.
The Hawks chose this moment to come out in their press and the next several minutes were a blur for the Golden Bears. Two straight Bear turnovers led to a foul on Yarborogh trying to stop Dave at the hoop – he converted both for the Hawks’ first lead, 16-15. Julius stole a Gibsonburg pass and took it to the hoop for two. Another steal, and Jon found Jared on a pick and roll play. After a Bear guard found himself trapped in the corner bringing the ball up, Coach Brent Liskai called time out for a breather.
The Hawks ramped up the physicality. Jared collected his own rebound twice before drawing a foul from Logan Jones – he went 1-2 and the press continued. Dave stole the ball and scored two points, then was fouled on the ensuing possession. Jared scored again and the home team now led by 10, 25-15.
Staying with the press, MV again stole the ball but missed; Julius stole the ball again and was fouled by Yarborogh. He missed the front end, and the Golden Bear’s finally found Logan Jones on an in-bounds play. MV committed a five second violation and Logan Jones made a last second shot to cut the half time lead down to 25-19 MV.
Third Quarter Gibsonburg 19 – MV 12
On the floor: Dave, Jon, Rick, Julius, Jared
Gibsonburg came out in a 2-1-2 zone against MV in the first possession. The Hawks misfired and da Bears continued their run with six straight points, knotting up the score at 25.
The contest now shifted to a Balboa vs. Creed slugfest. Jon Kruger scored for MV, Yarborogh came back for the Golden Bears. Rick was fouled at the basket by Logan Jones and made both. The Hawks pressed again; Rick stole the ball and got it to Julius at the foul line where he made a 15 footer. Gibsonburg returned the favor with two Dylan Dorfmeyer free throws and an old-school three pointer by Beaber. Jared was next, spinning in for two, then Dorfmeyer knocked down a three pointer for a two point Golden Bear lead.
The high pace continued as Jon fouled Jordan Kreglow on a break; he made both and the Hawks were down four. Dixon came right back for the home team with this two pointer:
And then it was Jared’s turn
The Hawks had tied the game at the end of three – 37-37.
Fourth Quarter Gibsonburg 9 – MV 6
On the floor: Rick, Dave, Jared, Jon, Dixon
Notwithstanding the short line-up, the Hawks continued their pressing ways. Rick stole the ball from Dorfmeyer and converted the lay up for two. The Hawks stole the ball again but couldn’t capitalize. Logan Jones did convert a basket however for the Gibsonburg tie.
Coach Robinson called time out at 6:32 to plan out the next two minutes. Dave Brown scored this two pointer out of the break:
After turnovers by both teams, MV ran the spread offense and scored two more for a 43-39 lead. It would be their last points of the game. The Hawks called another time out at the 4:00 mark. Jon committed an offensive foul, but Jared stole the ball back and was fouled shooting – and missed both ends.
Out of this came a long back and forth sequence ending with a foul on Yarborogh. The clock had wound down to 2:11 and the score was still 43-39. Gibsonburg got possession and Julius fouled Logan Jones, who made the front end only. A missed MV layup led to another foul at the other end – Jon Krueger’s 4th – and a 2/2 effort by the Golden Bears now cut the lead to 1, 43-42 with 1:47 to go. MV ran the clock down to 55.7, and this wild stretch ensued…
…putting Dorfmeyer at the line. He made both and Gibsonburg had regained the lead with 6.2 seconds to go. A bad entry pass cut the time down to 4.0 seconds. Rick’s desperation try was wide right and a last second foul brought Gibsonburg to the line for a final free throw. The Golden Bears held on for the 46-43 win.
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| What?? We had 'em all the way. |
Final Game Thoughts
Gibsonburg is a great addition to the TAAC. They bring a talented group of players to this season’s action. They feature outside shooting and athletic forward play and will be a force this year.
That said, the Hawks missed a chance tonight for a big home win. Closing games like this will be ultra-important through the rest of the season, especially in the playoffs where the difference between teams narrows appreciably as the rounds progress.
And trotting out an ancient sports cliché, this loss may have been the best thing to happen to the Hawks. Gone is the pressure of an undefeated season. Gone is the assumption that the season will be a cakewalk and that the game is over by the end of the warm-ups. This team must now fight from behind to win the TAAC championship, and every game takes on importance.
Potpourri
Lots of cameras at the game…MV began a new ticket policy for this game and the MV seats were ‘sold out’ within 12 minutes from the beginning of the distribution…
Scoring
And now for the unhappy totals. Scoring for the Hawks: Jared Sturt 13, Dave Brown 9, Julius Turner 8, Rick Deichert 7, Dixon Stoddard 4 and Jon Krueger 2.
Next up
Round two of the three-game TAAC meat grinder is set for Tuesday (away) against the Toledo Christian Eagles, followed closely by a Friday contest back at home against the Green Bears of Ottawa Hills.
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