Mission accomplished

How do you sum up a game like the one the Hiland Hawks and Marion Local waged in the Division VI state final?

In a contest that conjured up memories of the 1992 miracle finish for the Hawks in their semifinal victory over Lima Central Catholic, Hiland’s physical and fast-paced 54-51 win in double overtime at University of Dayton Arena had everything a championship game could want — maybe even more.

“What a game,” Hiland head coach Mark Schlabach said. “We had no business taking it into overtime, and they had no business taking it into double overtime. It was a lot of toughness our kids showed in that game, and heart and belief and all the stuff that sinks in over time.”

In the first double-overtime final since 2018 — a game won by Marion Local 52-51 — the Hawks and Flyers left everything on the floor.

With 91 seconds left and leading by five, it appeared as though the Flyers had things locked up, but Hiland’s defense would not be denied, and the Hawks clawed back as senior guards Ashton Schrock and Alex Miller closed the clamps and forced turnovers.

In the first overtime, Hiland seemed to have things well in hand before Grant Kremer singlehandedly forced a second OT by hitting two pressure-packed 3-pointers.

In the end Hiland made a few key plays to finally put the championship to bed, and it came not from the team’s stars, but from two bench guys.

The two teams showed a lot of class and respect for one another, recognizing the two teams playing were exactly where they deserved to be, playing for a shot at the title.

“This was a game between two storied programs,” Flyers head coach Kurt Goettemoeller said. “It’s everything you want in a state championship basketball game. We felt we had it won in regulation, and they made some plays at the end to get it to overtime. Then it looked like they had it won in the first overtime, and Grant hit some big shots.

“You have to give a ton of credit to Berlin Hiland. They guarded us as well as any team has all year. Against most teams, we can run a lot of sets. Tonight, we couldn’t run any sets, so we decided to just space the floor a bit. Credit to their guys and credit to our guys too because we played our butts off.”

Schlabach seconded the notion both teams left everything on the floor, and he said he has watched a lot of games over the years, but this one was special.

“That was the best Hiland basketball game ever,” Schlabach said. “Marion Local, I mean, two teams deserve a championship tonight. I don’t remember half of what happened in that game.”

Following the contest in speaking to his players, Goettemoeller made the message pure and simple, showing all kinds of class.

“Nobody is blaming anybody,” he said. “When you get in the arena and everyone’s watching you, you lay it all on the line, you play your guts out and you’re not going to play perfect.”

Scoring was at a premium early on, with both programs who have graced the hardwood at state numerous times hanging their hats on the defensive end of the floor.

Hiland fell behind early but rallied late in the first period to tie it at 5-all, with both teams going more than three minutes without a single score.

Eventually, Ryan Zerger found himself standing alone at the free throw line with zeroes showing on the clock, where he split a pair to give the Hawks a 6-5 advantage.

Things would loosen up in the scoring column in the second period, but the anxiety of a tight game continued, creating a chaotic atmosphere in which referees allowed the two teams to play a rugged brand of basketball.

Trailing 11-8, Zerger would score inside, and Caleb Yoder would give the Hawks a 12-11 lead on a steal and ensuing lay-up.

Alex Miller would give Hiland a 17-13 lead with 1:16 left in the half, and Yoder’s two free throws put Hiland ahead 18-14 at the half.

Defense continued to rule, and neither team scored for the first three minutes of the third period. Zerger’s jumper would push Hiland’s lead back to 22-18, and an Alex Miller 3-pointer gave the Hawks a 25-20 advantage, but a trey from Isaac Moeller and a Grant Kremer lay-up knotted things at 25 with 85 seconds left in the period.

Caleb Mishler’s triple would give the Hawks a slim lead at 28-27 heading into the final period.

That was when the wheels nearly fell off for Hiland. Zerger tied the score at 30-all, but Hiland would go silent on offense, failing to score over the next four minutes.

With the balance of the game on the line, Ashton Schrock put the Hawks on his back and carried them back into the game.

However, things remained bleak, and with 1:31 left, the Hawks trailed 39-34.

“We never panicked,” Alex Miller said. “We never felt like we were out of it.”

Zerger hit a free throw, and Miller sliced through the paint to trim the deficit to 39-37. He would do it again with 22 seconds left, but the Hawks were still down two. However, with 16 seconds left, Miller would make a steal, the ball caroming to Schrock, who was fouled.

The savvy senior calmly knocked down both free throws, and the Hawks survived to send it to overtime.

With 44 seconds to play, Hiland was in command 47-42, but Kremer’s two long treys would give his team life and send it to a second overtime.

It set the stage for a finale few will soon forget, with two Hiland bench players coming up big late. Both Grant Bille and CJ Yoder hit crucial free throws to put the Hawks ahead by three, and when a last-ditch 3-point banged off the rim into Zerger’s waiting arms, the Hawks were finally able to cut loose with a frantic celebration, the season of dreams having come to fruition.

Zerger would be named the game’s MVP with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Miller would add 11 points, Schrock and Caleb Yoder each pitching in with nine apiece, while Kremer would score a game-high 22 points for ML.

“This is what we’ve been waiting for ever since last season,” Schrock said.

“I’m so happy. It’s unbelievable,” Zerger said. “Last year my team got knocked out in a district semifinal, and I never dreamed I’d be where I am today. I’m just grateful. It’s surreal.”

Fortunately for the Hawks, it was very real, very well deserved and extremely satisfying.