More than just a championship game

The double-overtime Division VI state championship game between Hiland and Marion Local was a thrill-a-minute game that rivals the best moments in OHSAA history, but in the end, it proved to be more than just a game.

What transpired after the action ceased was just as impressive.

The quality of both teams on the hardwood was equaled by each team’s commitment to class, respect and character following the game.

During the press conference, Hiland head coach Mark Schlabach and a trio of Hiland players sat and answered questions from the media. Before that even began, Schlabach was asked to make a statement about the game, and his first thoughts weren’t directed toward the game, the play of his players or any of the on-court action.

Instead, his thoughts went immediately to a situation concerning one of his team members that extends beyond the game itself.

His first thoughts were on Hiland junior Roman Tkachuk and his family, who came here four years ago from Ukraine, where they lost everything in the war.

Schlabach talked about how the Tkachuks came to the Berlin community excited, exhibiting how extremely hardworking they were in opening up Soloway Foods, a Ukrainian restaurant in Berlin that has thrived since opening.

Their story took a turn for the worse when they recently saw their home destroyed by fire.

“We were in practice Wednesday evening getting ready to play, and we found out their house burned down,” Schlabach told the media covering the state final. “They lost everything again.”

Schlabach said each team member was going to be intentional in posting about the ongoing GoFundMe page supporting the family’s cause.

On the heels of one of the most exciting finishes in OHSAA state finals history, with myriad topics he could have chosen to discuss, Schlabach instead showed compassion in acknowledging that in the end, there are more important things than the game of basketball.

“It’s an awful situation for them,” he said. “Our community has done a good job of supporting them already, but we want to rally around that as a team and community to help support them.”

To give, visit www.gofundme.com and search for “Tkachuk.”

That wasn’t the only character moment of the interview process.

In the aftermath of an emotional battle, both coaches were gracious in praising the opposing side, showing they have a true grasp on the dedication it takes to get to where both teams ended up in the finals.

“I’m a fan first,” Schlabach said. “Two teams deserve a state championship tonight. This game was a fan’s dream because both teams absolutely left everything on the floor out there.

“I have a lot of respect for Marion Local. They do things the right way. They play extremely hard, they defend as well as anybody in the state every year, and we have a lot of respect for them. It was an honor to play them. It was the best game Hiland’s ever been in.”

In a show of respect for the Hiland coaching staff, guard Ashton Schrock said they deserve all the credit for preparing this team for the rugged test it faced in battling its way to a championship this season.

“I think there were times last year when we weren’t as good as we could be,” Schrock said, alluding to a renewed sense of direction this year. Schrock singled out assistant coach Paul Zacour for his work with emphasizing the importance of defense, and it became the calling card all season and in this final contest.

“He comes to practice, and he’s fired up every single practice,” Schrock said of Zacour. “He is the heart of the defense, and he’s coached us very hard through that, and it got us to where we are.”

Schlabach reiterated Zacour’s importance to this team and talked about how his assistant coach directs not just the defense, but also serves as an inspiration to the players.

“He’s our everything,” Schlabach said. “Defensively, he is our mastermind.”

Schlabach said last year the coaching staff didn’t push their kids as hard as they should have, and he said any staff’s main job is to coach their players to reach their potential.

Hiland certainly reached that summit in 2026, and Schlabach said they only achieved that because this is a special group of players willing to buy in and pay the price.

Marion Local head coach Kurt Goettemoeller has now felt the sting of defeat in the state championship the past two seasons, but unlike last season’s eight-point loss to Monroe Central, this one really hurt.

Even so, once his team had been awarded their runner-up medals, Goettemoeller had his team stay, focused on applauding the Hawks for their accomplishment.

Afterward, he was seen hugging senior guard Brayden Mescher, consoling him.

Like Schlabach, Goettemoeller had nothing but praise for his counterpart and the Hawks and said these two teams exemplify everything great about the game of basketball.

“These are two storied programs,” Goettemoeller said. “It’s everything you want in a state championship game. They just made one more play than we did in the end. You have to give a ton of credit to Berlin Hiland.”

As for relaying a final message to his team, Goettemoeller was diplomatic. Mescher shared a bit about what his head coach told him following the game.

“Short story, he told me he loved me,” Mescher said. “We all love each other on this team. I don’t think that’s anything shocking. Coach said he’d rather lose with this group of guys than win with somebody else. That’s as true as it can get. These are the best guys I’ve ever been around.”

He said Goettemoeller told his team there are bigger things in life than a basketball game, and while losing is tough, there are much bigger things to worry about in life.

Hearkening back to the Tkachuk family plight brings those words true meaning.

Coaching on a higher plane

While Schlabach and his crew were lauded for their effort in crafting a title in 2026, the Hawks head coach said this win and this program is still under the guidance of another important figure who passed away in 2000, that being former head coach Perry Reese Jr.

“It’s his program, and we’re just trying to carry on his legacy as long as we can,” Schlabach said of the man many people simply refer to as Coach. “He would have loved these guys and loved this team, how hard they play. There’s not a time they haven’t played hard. This (game) was reminiscent of the 1992 Hiland/Lima Central Catholic game — down late figuring out some miraculous way to come back. I know he’d be proud.”

He then said Reese certainly would have chided him, wondering why he couldn’t win it in regulation.