Hawks seniors were tied together from the start

Hiland head coach Mark Schlabach said this group of seniors is special, and like many classes that have come before, they reached every ounce of their potential.

“They are willing to do what most high school kids aren’t,” Schlabach said of this group of seniors. “They are very unusual, and you hope (their hard work) results in nights like this one. They’ve set a new standard, not for wins or losses, but for that work ethic, attitude and way they handle the locker room. This group has set a new bar for our program.”

For the seniors, putting the wraps on their careers in fine fashion marks the ideal way to leave a sport behind, one they’ve dedicated themselves to since their elementary days.

CJ Yoder

“There’s not anything we wouldn’t do for one another. We’ve built up special relationships that I wouldn’t trade for anything.”

Yoder left perhaps the biggest possible impression, knocking down the two final free throws that salted away the victory.

Ashton Schrock

“Us seniors, we’ve been playing basketball together since we were kids. We’ve been through a lot, and to still be here, all together, and bringing home a championship is the greatest thing.”

Caleb Yoder

“This is a dream come true. We’ve been envisioning this moment for how long now? Ever since we won the middle school championship together. There’s no better way to leave this game.”

Yoder was instrumental in guiding the Hawks to a third-quarter lead, scoring nine points, but a tough fifth foul call left him glued to the bench in the fourth period and in the overtimes.

“That almost had me in tears to have to sit there and watch, but I have the ultimate faith in these guys, and they got it done.”

Caleb Mishler

“This class of seniors is so close because we played together all through elementary, through the Wooster League and through high school. We’ve just kept it rolling. Before the game we talked a lot about playing Hiland basketball, being ourselves and most of all enjoying this moment because it doesn’t come along often. We’ve been looking forward to this moment from the first day of practice and throughout the season.”

Alex Miller

“This means everything to us. When we were in elementary school, we all kind of realized that this was the biggest goal we could accomplish, and we brought it home. It’s all about taking pride in everything we do, working hard and doing things the right way on and off the court.”

As for the defensive effort that pushed the Hawks over the top, Miller said even when they were down late, they expected to go out and make plays because that was what they had prepared for.

“We had guys making plays when we needed them most. We knew how talented (Marion Local) was, and we knew what was in front of us, but we stuck together, never doubted, didn’t give up and made the dream come true.”

—While seniors Regan Shetler and Carson Weaver didn’t get into the championship game, they played a key role all season long and throughout the group’s drive to become one of the teams that can call themselves champions.

—The Hawks left as champions, having won 21 straight games to end their season.

—Something few will remember? Hiland lost its first two games of the season, something that fortunately didn’t become a precursor for what was in store.

—This team now joins the 1992, 2011 and 2012 Hawks as state champions.