Setting the Table
The following is the Hawkblog's current nomination for quote of the year:
‘I have to say that tonight was probably the most fun I've ever had playing a basketball game. And I've played a lot of basketball.’
- Davey ‘Jones’ Brown 1.31.12 on Facebook
Game Summary
The Hawks set out to show the TAAC who the boss was tonight and did so emphatically during crunch time, handing the Gibsonburg Golden Bears their worst loss of the season, 75-53 on the Bears home court.
This game was tied 37-37 with 3:31 to go in the third. But Coach Jim Robinson put the press on and Julius Turner selected that moment to catch on fire - and the Hawks finished the game on a 38-16 run. Julius dominated the game in the last 11:30, scoring 15 of his 18 points and contributing numerous key steals and rebounds down the stretch.
In the first half, it was Rick Deichert and Jon Krueger staking MV to a six point half time lead via the long ball. In the second half it was Julius and Dixon Stoddard who stepped it up and gave the Hawks the physical presence they needed to counter Gibsonburg's tough-nosed play. Jared Sturt was a steady force throughout the entire game.
First Quarter - MV 17 - Gibsonburg 11
Starting five – Dave Brown (’13), Rick Deichert (’12), Jared Sturt (’12), Jonathan Krueger (’12) and Julius Turner (’12)
Maumee Valley won the tip and Gibsonburg opened in a man defense. They would switch from among man, 2-3 zone and 1-3-1 all evening. MV, as always, started in man defense.
Both teams started nervously, and it took five empty poesssions before Gage Beaber posted up for two points inside to give the Golden Bears their only lead of the evening, two-nil. It took all of five seconds for Rick to fire back with his first three pointer for the lead. Gibsonburg went one and done and Jared got great position inside to catch an offensive rebound and score an 'and-one' (missing the free throw). After misfires by both teams, Jon Krueger was left wide open on the right wing and nailed a three for an 8-2 MV lead.
Gibsonburg would show its offensive hand, spreading the floor and driving Gage Beaber to the basket against Dave Brown early and often. On their next possession, Beaber was fouled by Julius and split the pair. A few more misses and Dylan Dorfmeyer hit a two pointer, pulling the Bears to within three. But speaking of three, Rick Deichert fired right back with a big answering three ball from deep in the left hand corner to put the Hawks up 11-5 at the 3:07 mark. Coach Brent Liskai didn’t like what he was seeing and called timeout.
The Bears hit two more then began phase 1-A of their game plan. Beaber began to look for kick-outs off his drives. He found Dorfmeyer for a wide open three pointer and the lead was cut to one.
But again, MV had an answer. Jon Kruger hit another three pointer, but was T’eed up by the referees for the now verboten ‘Shush’ motion toward the opposing team.
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| Hey, if POTUS can do it, why not Jon Krueger??? |
Nate Yarborogh made one of two technical free throws, but could not convert on the ensuing possession. MV cashed in when Jared did the Mr. Clean thing again
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| Out of my way, I'm cleanin' the glass tonight. |
…mopping up on this offensive putback plus the foul
…making the free throw for the final points of the quarter. The Blue and White went to the bench up 17-11. Three Hawks accounted for 100% of the scoring output, Rick and Jon with six each and Jared with five.
Second Quarter MV 15 - Gibsonburg 15
Starting the Quarter – Dave, Rick, Jared, Jon, Dixon
Gibsonburg started with the ball, but Dixon rebounded their only chance. Jon Kruger continued his hot hand scoring two points, then Dixon showed the Bears his disruptive side...
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| Not even Allstate could help the Golden Bears tonight... |
…knocking the ball loose, and drawing the foul from Matt Tille. Dixon tried to punch his own ticket with a three point try (that's it, keep the defense honest) but missed, then Beaber scored again for the home team. Dixon scored two on a layup off a nice low post feed by Jared. It was 21-13 Maumee Valley. Gibsonburg lost possession on an over and back call and MV scored again. The Bears took their second time out with 6:31 to go in the quarter.
MV missed two straight chances, and after Rick Deichert leaped high to block a Dorfmeyer three point try from deep in the corner, Gage Beaber collected the loose ball and drove in for two points. Jon got the visitors back up by ten with a 12 footer from his favorite right hand base line spot.
Now late in the second quarter, Nate Yarborogh began a one man mission to get his team back in the game, hitting a two. After a miss and tieup, Rick Deichert hit this three pointer, his third in the half…
…the HawkSquad was trying to pull away, up 28-17 with under three minutes to play.
Gibsonburg missed again, and MV ran the clock down to 2:16, calling timeout, but losing the ball. Yarborogh hit a three ball, then Jared hit this two pointer from the free throw line...
Yarborogh was unimpressed and hit another three. Jared struck back, getting the ball in the block and muscling in for a score +1, which he missed. MV got the ball back, but couldn’t capitalize, then Yarborogh hit his third three – 11 points in under 3:30 to single-handedly keep his team in the game.
It was quite a performance, but unfortunately for the Bears, a mere foreshadowing of what was to happen to them about eight minutes later.
The Golden Bears had clawed back to make the quarter even and Maumee Valley went to the dressing room up by six – coincidentally the same half time lead as the first game.
Third Quarter MV 25 - GB 14
Starting the Quarter – Initial game starters
Gibsonburg had the ball first but missed. Julius, back in the game after sitting out with two fouls, drove to the hoop and was fouled shooting. He went 1-2 for his first points of the contest. On the Bears’ next possession, Dylan Dorfmeyer was blocked not once, but twice on consecutive shots by Rick and Jared respectively. But one MV turnover later, Nate Yarborogh knocked yet another three pointer down. Julius countered with this long two pointer...
…but now the threes started to fall for the home team, this time by Dorfmeyer. Gibsonburg was clawing back into the game. MV missed their try, and Rick Deichert fouled Logan Jones, who split the pair to pull within two points.
Julius fed Jared for two points and the Hawks went zone. The Bears solved that when Beaber got to the hoop for a score and one, which he missed. Another Maumee Valley misfire and Gibsonburg was off on a fast break, which Logan Jones finished. It was 37-37 and the Orange-faced student section was going wild.
Maumee Valley called time out and pulled out two weapons. First off, it was the return of John Wayne.
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| Did I hear someone call for the Cavalry? |
As if on cue, Julius’ game went to another level. He hit a three ball...
...and Coach Robinson pulled his second weapon out - MV went to the press for the first time in the game.
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| Unfortunately, the Home Team did begin to fragmentize... |
Dave Brown picked the Gibsonburg point guard clean and scored a basket. Coach Liskai quickly called time, sensing the wheels could be coming off. He would be correct, but unable to do anything about it. His Bears missed a shot and Rick scored this basket off the break…
…a Gibsonburg guard saw Dave coming at him again and took one too many steps. Julius got in his Acura and drove down main street…
…the press continued and a 20 second melee of turnovers on the court gave Gibsonburg a few more chances – none of which fell – then Julius put the hammer down again with this three pointer…
Just like that MV was up 49-37 and the Bears had to spend another time out.
MV went back to the zone press, and a Julius rebound led to this Dixon Stoddard ‘and one’ basket’…
The Senior Forward made his free throw, completing a 15-0 Maumee Valley run. Dylan Dorfmeyer finally stopped the streak with a three pointer. But Julius said ‘I can match that’, draining another three of his own. As the third quarter would down, Rick made a layup with 15 seconds to go and Maumee Valley had dominated the floor in the third, going up 57-40 with eight minutes left.
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| Did anyone see the license number on that truck? |
Fourth Quarter - MV 18 - Gibsonburg 13
Starting the Quarter – Initial game starters
MV had the ball in and didn't score but Julius stole the ball back, drawing a floor foul from Beaber (his third). MV began to play ball control with four players on the perimeter, leaving Dave Brown, of all people, wide open at the block for a basket +1 (which he made). It was now 60-40 MV and the press continued. Julius made a huge shot block (that made Channel 13 News).
Dave Brown came out of the game with some stomach cramps, which gave Rick Deichert the chance to run the point down the stretch.
And at this point, things truly began to unravel for the Bears. Beaber drew his fourth foul, then after Dylan Dorfmeyer caught an inadvertant elbow from Dixon Stoddard, the Golden Bear guard became a little too animated and was ejected from the game. Rick split the technical foul pair, then in the highlight play of the game, Julius drove in and passed the ball behind his back to Jared who dunked...
...and the blue-garbed crowd went wild.
Beaber, to his credit, didn’t give up and hit a three, but the handwriting was on the wall.
Julius was fouled and made the pair. Freshman Jordan Kreglow was fouled at the other end and missed both.
Gibsonburg began to apply pressure of their own, but Jared Sturt was left wide open for two. Dixon was fouled on the next possession and made the pair.
Now all that was left was the playout of the final 1:30. Final baskets by Julius and Jared sealed the win for the visitors.
Start up the bus gentlemen, it’s going to be a fun ride home.
Final Game Thoughts
Apparently the week of practice was quite intense for the Blue and White, judging from some post game comments by the players. But it sure paid off. MV took command of the game in the third and blew the TAAC leaders off the court. Gibsonburg had no answer for the MV pressure, and Julius Turner stepped up big time in the third.
In the pregame commentary, your Hawkblogger noted that four Golden Bears averaged double digits – on this night, it would be four Hawks who would achieve that mark – Jared, Julius, Rick and Jonathan.
The statistic which did bear (no pun intended) itself out was the Maumee Valley margin of victory – 22 points – matching exactly the Hawks' MOV on the year. However, this 22 point win was earned on the home court of the team voted to first place in the Ohio D-IV basketball poll by the Toledo Blade’s Steve Junga just yesterday. No problem though, Mr. Junga will have the opportunity to revise his ballot in next week’s poll – he was at the game and wrote a great story about the Hawks win.
Potpourri
There were cameras galore in the building tonight, at just the right time - everyone showed up for the third and fourth quarter...the game was a little chippy, and here's to the Hawks for playing hard but fair...AAU basketball pays off, Exhibit 1 - the Hawks are very comfortable with physical play...AAU basketball pays off, Exhibit 2 - Dave Brown left the game mid-fourth quarter and Rick assumed his summer AAU role as point guard for about 2:00, during which the Hawks did not commit a turnover...there were scouts visiting from (at least) Danbury and Tiffin Calvert, which either Gibsonburg or MV could face down the road in the playoffs...an assistant coach from Bluffton College was in the house last night....
Scoring
And now for the happy totals. Scoring for the Hawks tonight was Jared with 19, Julius with 18, Rick with 14, Jonathan 10. Yes, there were four Hawks in double figures, and it might have been five, as Dixon Stoddard continued his steady improvement with 9 on the evening. Dave Brown scored 5 while otherwise directing the Orchestra this evening.
Next up
It's back home Friday for the Hawks to again perform in the three-games-in-seven-nights TAAC meat grinder. MV will welcome the Toledo Christian Eagles, featuring TAAC leading scorer Eric Cellier, come to the Varsity Gym.
Warning - with two losses, TC can tie for the TAAC lead with wins over MVCDS and Gibsonburg. They are not to be taken lightly.
