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Showing posts with label Blade Classic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blade Classic. Show all posts

Saturday, December 17, 2011

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...

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Huntington Center Locker Rooms

These are nicer than my office!! Photos courtesy of Frederick Fredrick Ricky Fred Rick Deichert







Thursday, December 30, 2010

Cleaning out the video vault

One of the last videos from the Blade Classic.

To the hoop, in traffic past three guys on the break. 

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Chapter 6 - Better Here than in Columbus – Toledo Central Catholic 77- MV 46 Blade Classic at the Huntington Center 12.27.10

Setting the Table

Each year, Kevin Hayes stages two dramatic productions at Maumee Valley. Countless hours of preparation and work are a precursor to what appears to the audience at showtime to be a flawlessly staged evening of entertainment.

Before each of the performances, Mr. Hayes stages a dress rehearsal on the big stage. Although Kevin will take notes and make corrections, the principal purpose of the dress rehersal is to make sure the actors will not be dazzled by the bright lights of Opening Night in front of the usual sellout crowds.



It's the Robber Bridegroom!!!

And so it was on Monday December 27, 2010 that Coach Robinson held his own dress rehearsal of sorts for the Hawks on a very big stage indeed. The second game of the inaugural Blade Classic at the Huntington Center featured Maumee Valley against Division 1 power and defending City League Champion Toledo Central Catholic.

Make no mistake that during this season, next season or both, it is the Hawks’ goal to make a run in the State Playoffs. As all teams work through the state tournament to the Regional final four, the stages increase in size and intensity. For MV, such a journey would eventually mean a trip to Anderson Arena at Bowling Green, and ultimately to Value City Arena in Columbus Ohio.

With such lofty goals, it made perfect sense to expose these young Hawks to the glare of a major arena and a big-time opponent early in this two year quest. Win or lose, the next game in a larger venue will be less intimidating for this team.

Starting five – Dave Brown (’13), Rick Deichert (’12), Jared Sturt (’12), Dixon Stoddard (’12) and Jonathan Krueger (’12)

Game Summary

Toledo Central Catholic used its superior size and depth to lap the Hawks 77-46 in the second game of the Toledo Blade Classic at the Huntington Center. Maumee Valley played the Irish fairly close in the first quarter, but a 23-7 second frame did MV in.

Rick led the MV scoring with 13, followed by Jared with 10, and Dixon with a season high 8 points.

First Quarter CC 17 – MV 12

Central started off in their man press, MV was in regular man to man.

Things got off to a shaky start for the Hawks with two quick turnovers and Central took a 4-0 lead in the first 30 seconds. Coach Robinson called a quick timeout at the 6:56 mark to calm the waters, and Dixon immediately converted on a press break for MV's opening tally.

It became clear that Central was inviting MV to attack the press in order to lure the Blue and White into a running game. Maumee Valley was tentative however, and struggled with it high post offense, having to work at the top of the key and beyond against the taller Irish. A few more baskets off of turnovers and Central took a 11-2 lead, Julius entered the game at 4:30, and the Hawks got their balance back. Dave Brown hit a three pointer, Rick made a basket + 1 on a drive to the rim and MV pulled to within 11-8. That would be the high water mark for the Hawks.

Central challenged MV on every posession and with a 15 man roster full of athletic talent, it was clear that giving fouls would not be a concern for the Irish. CC picked up four fouls in the first quarter and didn’t blink.

The teams continued to work up and down both ends of the court, the Hawks’ final highlights in the quarter coming from a nice baseline drive by Julius Turner for two and a driving basket by Rick in on a fast break.

At quarter’s end, MV was down five, and things didn’t look so bad – for now.

Second Quarter CC 23 – MV 7

Starting the quarter – Dave, Rick, Jonathan, Jared, Julius Turner

Fourteen inches doesn’t seem like very much. To a golfer, it’s a tap-in. In a track meet, it’s distance covered in a fraction of a second. But in basketball, when those fourteen inches represent the aggregate height difference between the two teams on the court, it works out to nearly three inches per each player. Overcoming a differential like that against a starting five is a big challenge, but Central was able to put out three separate five-man lineups with such an advantage.  That depth proved to be the dagger in the second quarter.

CC continued in various forms of man press through the quarter. MV stayed in its 2-3 zone.

At its end, Central began to work the ball into the high post.  They made their first two open shots from the elbow, so MV was forced to come out to challenge the post player.  Central was able to pass down deep for layups, work it outside for uncontested threes or continue shooting from around the foul line. During a series of six or seven consecutive wide open shots, the Irish tore off on an 11-3 run to pull ahead 28-15 with 3:30 left.

It was MV’s turn in a quarter to look out-of-sorts. With Central’s quickness showing, the usual passing lanes were closed off and the Hawks were forced into shots from inopportune locations.

The game again turned into a track meet and over the next 1:50, Central enjoyed a 12-4 run. With 40 seconds left, TCC worked for the last shot, but they missed. It was about the only miss in the quarter, and the halftime score was 40-19 in favor of Central.

Third Quarter CC 21 – MV 15

Starting the Quarter – initial game starters

MV came out in man defense to begin the quarter. Central stayed with man pressure.

MV came out much more active in the second quarter. Jared stole a pass early in the quarter and drove the length of the court for a basket + 1. This put one of the CC forwards into foul trouble, but the Irish simply unplugged one 6’4” forward out of the Matrix and replaced him with another 6’4” forward.


It only seemed like Central had this many 6'4" guys pressing MV.


 

Central’s offensive highlight came during the quarter when 6’5” Senior Guard Dareon Jones dunked over Dixon early in the frame. The pace of the game quickened, and Coach Robinson called time out with 6:45 left in the quarter and Central up 46-23.

MV put on a mini run with a three by Rick Deichert...




...and a two pointer by Dave Brown for five straight points. CC continued to rack up fouls, with Senior swing man Jay Marquette drawing his fourth foul after Dixon Stoddard stole a pass and drove to the basket. At 5:01, Central would call time to regroup.

Again, the Irish managed to quicken the pace of the game. For the next 2:30, Central would turn the game into something resembling a mid-April AAU game, running the floor and shooting at their first open look. By the 2:35 mark, Central had extended its lead to 57-32.

Jared had a good closing stretch at the end of the third quarter, drawing two fouls on inside moves. Central closed out the scoring at quarter end, and held a commanding 61-34 lead.

Fourth Quarter – CC 16 – MV 12

Starting the quarter – same as second quarter starters

Jared continued to improve during the quarter, starting off with a basket off a loose ball and two free throws after drawing a foul on a move to the hoop. Julius Turner also had some good moments twice getting to the line after driving to the basket in traffic.

Central continued to press until about the 5:30 mark and finally dropped back to a 2-3 zone.

At the 2:48 mark, both coaches went to the bench and gave all their players an opportunity to play on the Huntington Center court. Daniel Brandon made the most of his opportunity, making two free throws near the end of the game to close out the scoring for MV.

Final Game Thoughts

As I noted in the quick summary…It could be worse.



But this game will result in a wealth of second chances for MV. For every regret the team had out on the court Monday afternoon, there will be numerous opportunities to redeem the ‘woulda, coulda, shoulda’ moments throughout the remainder of the season.

The Hawks will carry the memory of this performance to the playoffs, where the larger crowds and excitement will seem that much less overwhelming after today.

MV will not play a stronger team for the remainder of the season - even if they do make it to Value City Arena. In Division IV, it’s much more a ‘starting five vs. starting five’ game. There won’t be 15-strong, athletic teams able to shrug off having three starters sit with four fouls in the third quarter. And for several stretches during the game the Hawks held their own, especially when the game was played on a half court level.

A final perspective - one year ago, MV was 2-4 with losses to Fayette, OH, TC and North Baltimore. Now, they sit tied for first place early in the TAAC season with a 4-2 record.

With apologies to the Blade’s Barbara Hendel…

Movers and shakers seen at the game today included most of the Cardinal Stritch team and several members of the Ottawa Hills starting five. MV will face CS at the Varsity Gym Friday, January 21, 2011.

Scoring

Rick led the Hawks with 13 points on the day, followed by Jared with 10, Dixon with a season high 8, Dave 7, and Julius 6. Daniel Brandon scored his first two points of the season.

Next up

MV continues TAAC play on the Marblehead Peninsula Thursday January 6, 2011 against Danbury. Kobe and Pau are not expected to be available for the Lakers that evening.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Links to Toledo Blade game article and photo gallery

Here is the game story and...

here is the photo gallery.

The Blade added yet another first name derivative for Rick Deichert in the picture captions - Fredrick - and are now up to a full starting fivesome of names on the season (previously using Rick, Ricky, Frederick and Fred). 

Monday, December 27, 2010

Toledo Central Catholic 77 – MV 46

Toledo Central Catholic used its superior size and depth to lap the Hawks this afternoon 77-46 in the second game of the Toledo Blade Classic at the Huntington Center. Maumee Valley played fairly close to the Irish in the first quarter, but a 23-7 second frame did MV in.


Scoring is extremely sketchy at this point as I didn’t get a look at the scorebook. I was told Rick led scoring with 11, followed by Jared with 10, but this needs to be verified tomorrow.

Hey, it could be worse...

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Toledo Central Catholic Preview

Fast facts


Opponent: Toledo Central Catholic
Enrollment (9-12): 1230 (courtesy of the Lehman family)
Division/League: D-I / Toledo City League
Team Nickname: Fighting Irish

Toledo Blade Preview of Central Catholic

Coach: Jim Welling, third season
Last season: 20-3, 9-2
This Season - 2-1, 1-1 City League

Top players: Seniors Drew Lehman, 5-11, G; Jay Marquette, 6-3, F; Domingo Muniz, 6-4, F; Ben Dent, 5-7, G; Dareon Jones, 6-5, G. Juniors Tony Mays, 6-4, G-F; Mahlon Washington, 6-5, F.

Outlook: With their ability to play disciplined basketball in a variety of tempos last season, the Irish became a tough team to beat on any night, especially in mid-February when they ended a 42-year drought to win their first CL championship since 1968. Central also advanced to the D-I district final before falling to St. John's.

With four starters returning from that team, plus the addition of Jones (11.4 points), a transfer who was a two-year starter at Whitmer, Central is poised to take a run at a repeat. Lehman (13.1 points, 3.8 assists), one of the area's most efficient guards, and Mays (11.7 points, 9.4 rebounds), a solid scorer and rebounder, are each third-year starters. The Irish have good team quickness to go with experience and depth. But a lack of overall size could make rebounding challenging at times.

"We have to continue to take strides in the program," said Welling. "Winning the City was great, but we want to take the next step [in tourney play]. We want to try to be the best we can be every night out."

Hawkblog notes – MV plays in the Central Catholic summer league vs. City League, NLL and other big school opponents…Drew Lehman is a do-it-all guard, a definite scoring threat…Central loves pressure defense and the Hawks will be tested throughout the game…Several MV coaches and players were on hand at Central’s Sullivan Center Thursday night for CC’s big win over Eastwood...Central was ranked 11th in a Division 1 poll before suffering it's only loss this season to Whitmer 48-40 last week

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Toledo Blade article on MV today

A great article about the team in its run-up to the Blade Classic Monday.  Thanks to sportswriter Donald Emmons.

And it's the Blade's fourth name used for Number 25 so far this year, not counting misspellings of Deichert.  So, Frederick, Rick, Ricky or Fred - which is it?