Toledo Christian is an established Division IV program. The Eagles have not had a losing season since 2004. They have a record of several TAAC and OHSAA Sectional Championships (including last year) and a District title to their credit. They pulled out of an early 2-4 start and reeled off six wins in a row to bring their fans back from the brink of apathy to the frenzied excitement Hawk fans have come to expect.
They feature a pressure-packed style of play, depending on their defense to generate offense. There’s also the physical style of play. If you didn’t know any better you would swear they came from the Toledo City League and not the TAAC. Even in this year which could easily be characterized as rebuilding, after losing five starters to graduation, the Eagles are ready to play every night.
The above description can be distilled into the words cautious respect. Even though the Hawks had beaten the Eagles on their home court in round 1, no one was expecting a walkover.
And when the chance presents itself to sweep a season series against a team like Toledo Christian, it’s not something a team should let slip away.
Game Summary
Maumee Valley solidified its hold on the first place spot in the TAAC Friday night with a 13 point win over the third place Toledo Christian Eagles, 59-46 at the sold-out Varsity Gym. Similar to the Tuesday night game against Gibsonburg, TC got the first basket of the game for an early 2-0 lead, which would prove to be their only advantage all evening. MV used the outside game to their advantage, with Julius Turner and Rick Deichert firing threes early and often.
TC was also on defensive pins and needles in the first half as their primary inside presence, Ben Ivan, was on the bench with two fouls. So while Jared Sturt did not have to carry the scoring load, he dominated the interior on both ends with (by your Hawkblog's crack stats department) 7 blocks on the night and double digit rebound totals.
TC was forced into a press for virtually the entire second half, and to their credit hung in the game. But at best, they were only able to pull the Hawks half time lead down by two points. The Hawks did a better job locking down the free throws tonight, hitting 14 out of 20 for a 70% clip on the evening.
First Quarter MV 16 – TC 10
Starting five – Dave Brown (’13), Rick Deichert (’12), Jared Sturt (’12), Jonathan Krueger (’12) and Julius Turner (’12)
TC won the tip on the way up, but couldn’t generate any offense. Nor did MV on its first possession. Dominique Pittman scored the first basket of the game for the Eagles, for their one and only lead of the contest.
Dave Brown scored first for the home team, following up a missed shot. The Eagles missed their next attempt, and a wide-open Jon Krueger fired a three in from the top of the arc. Julius Turner pulled down a defensive rebound and pulled up for a three pointer – 8-2 Hawks.
Ben Ivan struck back for TC with two points, but the Eagle post man committed his first foul at the other end. Jared Sturt scored for the Blue and White off this inbounds play…
…to put MV back up by six. Then in an early pivotal play, Ivan drew his second foul at the 4:15 mark. Without their best underneath presence, Jared was able to affect shots and pull rebounds. On their next possession, MV got two offensive rebounds then Rick nailed a three down from the right side.
Coach McWhinnie, needing to slow the Hawks’ momentum, asked for a 30 second timeout with 3:08 to go. Both teams missed on their next possessions then Eric Cellier scored his first points of the half. Julius fired right back with a trey and a ten point HawkSquad lead, 16-6.
The Eagles staged one of their familiar runs in the final minute of play, scoring first on a Josh Winzeler two pointer, then a off balance, bank-shot three pointer by Winzeler with time expiring. TC again showed the good fortune which had followed them in the Varsity Gym over the years.
Second Quarter MV 15 – TC 6
Starting the Quarter – Initial game starters
TC started the quarter with the ball and Rick Deichert picked up his first foul of the game on the floor. Play was unproductive for the two teams for the first 1:07 of the frame and the visitors were treated to a series of MV man/zone switchovers on successive possessions.
But the Hawks kept finding openings in the traditional Eagle 1-3-1 zone, Julius hitting from the top of the key for a three pointer…
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| I've got a few more trick shots to show you later, pilgrim. |
…then after another TC misfire, Rick hit a three and it was 22-10 HawkSquad. Winzeler scored on a nice drive to the basket, but again Julius drained a triple, this time a fade-away shot from up top.
Toledo Christian, now down 13, decided to start pressing and achieved some momentary success with four straight points. Rick stopped the Eagle charge with a strong dribble drive across the lane for two points. TC missed their next try and Julius pulled down a rebound and dribbled coast to coast…
…drawing the foul and making both ends. TC had the ball late into the quarter but missed and Davey ‘Jones’ Brown got out on a late break and sunk the Eagles comeback hopes with this basket...
It was a dominating quarter for Maumee Valley which went to the break up 15, 31-16.
Third Quarter MV 11 – TC 11
Starting the Quarter – Initial game starters
MV had the tip but missed their first try. The visitors started out running a deliberate offense and worked it inside only to be frustrated by a big Jared Sturt block. They would miss again and Dave Brown drove in for two from the right side. Another two misses by each team, then Rick was fouled shooting and made the pair. TC missed yet again and Jared cleaned up a miss for two points. Jon Kruger snuck in and stole the Eagles inbounds pass and scored two off a Rick Deichert screen. The Hawks had run off eight straight to begin the half.
Josh Winzeler stopped the streak with a two pointer and tried the press again, but Jon finished off the press break at the other end. It was 41-18 and Maumee Valley had their biggest lead of the evening at 23.
The Blue and Gold visitors were still relentless on the press and fought back again. A free throw and eight straight points by Eric Cellier cut the MV into the lead. Dave Brown was fouled late in the stanza and made one of two free throws to end the scoring in the third. The energy-draining constant pressure only brought the Eagles back to where they started – down 15 at the end of three 42-27.
Fourth Quarter TC 19 – MV 17
Starting the Quarter – Initial game starters
MV had the ball to begin the quarter and Julius drove in powerfully for two points. At the other end, TC continued to have problems running their inside game as Jared effected many shots even without blocking them.
The game pace sped up with TC gambling more on the press with three men in the front court. Jared scored on two free throws, then Eric Cellier hit a three and TC took a time out at 6:35 to re-set their defense.
But with Dave Brown at the helm and any of five seniors ready to receive the ball, pressing is not the most effective way to stop the Hawks this year. Dave was fouled by Dominique Pittman, but missed the front end of a 1 and 1. After a TC miss, Maumee Valley executed the press break to perfection…
…getting the ball down the floor for a Jonathan Krueger layup with only one dribble.
The teams exchanged baskets and a free throw, but near the 5:00 mark, Cellier mildly rolled his ankle coming down from a jump shot. He kept on playing, but the visitors needed him at 100% and then some if they were going to erase a 15 point deficit in that amount of time.
After a few misses on each end, MV got out on a break and Dave threw an alley oop pass to Jared for a near dunk. Rick was later fouled by Cellier and made both ends to put MV back up by 17, 53-36.
MV dropped back into a zone to rest up some as time wound down. The rest was pretty much cleanup from there. TC continued to press the action, and MV enjoyed this final highlight video…
…of Rick dishing to Jared on another break. The game ended with Maumee Valley clinching the 13 point victory.
Final Game Thoughts
The game was great from a Hawks standpoint, but not necessarily a masterpiece (although an argument could be made for MV's second quarter). So as a final public service, your HawkBlogger provides the following Rembrandt from 1669, appropriately entitled 'A Girl with a Broom':
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| In fact young lady, MV did sweep the Eagles. |
Maumee Valley handed Toledo Christian its worst loss in almost exactly two years, as you’d have to go back to a February 5, 2010 19 point loss at Ottawa Hills for a bigger opponent’s margin of victory than the one seen last evening (thanks again to the invaluable Davey 1 website for their treasure-store of historical results). That will give the TC brain trust both something to play for and think about down the stretch drive and during the February 12 playoff seeding meetings.
Last year, in a strategic masterstroke Coach McWhinnie scheduled his third place Eagles against #1 Maumee Valley in the playoffs. Normally, the three seed would select a game against #2. But TC liked their chances better against MV than two seed Ottawa Hills.
The result was a double overtime win for TC at Rossford over the top seeded Hawks. They then proceeded to roll through the District, losing in Bowling Green in a regional semifinal against ultimate Northwest Region champion Continental.
This year, McWhinnie’s team will again likely receive the third seed in the section (possibly fourth, depending how outlander Fremont Central Catholic is regarded within the section). His target in the sectional playoffs will now be dependent on TC’s upcoming performance against the Gibsonburg Golden Bears.
TC vs. Gibsonburg is a huge game, set for Tuesday February 7, 2012 (the night MV plays at Ottawa Hills). Frankly, TC has a great chance to beat the Bears as the blueprint for victory – hard pressing – was laid out by Maumee Valley this past week.
And oh yeah, TC can, does and will without a doubt press.
Finally, a win by the Eagles would put Maumee Valley in sole possession of the TAAC lead with five games left to play (OH, Emmanuel, Danbury, Northwood and Stritch).
So hard work paid off for Maumee Valley as they scored two huge double-digit victories in their most important week of the regular season. Now the third of the TAAC big boys looms ahead as MV will face traditional power Ottawa Hills this coming week.
Potpourri
Almuni Daniel Brandon, Omar Hazimah and Carter Bayer were in the house for the game…it was the Hawks third sellout of the year…TC tried to get a little creative with their videography early on, but the situation was resolved before the game started…once again, all the local TV stations were in the house, and BCSN broadcast a live postgame feed from the Varsity Gym…this was Maumee Valley’s first win against the Eagles on their home floor in at least eight years…a nice Toledo Blade article on the game got every last name correct!
Scoring
And now for the happy totals. Julius Turner led the scoring for MV with 16 points, followed by fellow long bomber Rick with 12. and Jared Sturt with 11. Jon Krueger continues to come up strong in the big games, canning 10 points for the second game in a row. Dave Brown had 8 on the night and Dixon Stoddard scored 2.
Eric Cellier scored 20 points, 18 in the second half (evidence of virus-ridden defender Rick Deichert running out of gas) right on his season average. The steadily improving Josh Winzeler scored 15 in a losing effort.
Next up
Guys, don those tuxes!! Ladies, polish up those diamond tiaras!!! Everyone, rent those limousines!!!!
It’s time to travel up to that gated community better known as the Village of Ottawa Hills for the rematch with the Green Bears. See you Tuesday.
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