A packed crowd in the Reese center with two rivals battling for bragging rights in Holmes County turned out in Hiland’s favor but it wasn’t easy.
West Holmes came into this game sporting a 2-21 record and Hiland a 12-9 record. Records don’t matter in a rivalry game and that proved true Tue. 2/14. West Holmes gave Hiland everything they could handle and more but the hawks would make key plays down the stretch en route to a 61-51 victory. It wasn’t pretty but the Hawks got the job done.
Hiland jumped out to a quick 7-3 lead off two Carson Habeger layups and a three pointer from freshman Alex Miller. The Knights would fight back and take a 9-7 lead. One advantage the blue and red had was size in the paint that gave the Hawks problems all night. Hiland’s 6-7 big man Alex Yoder out due to injury. Senior Mason Wolfe had multiple buckets including an and one. Xander Schultz was also a problem as he was crafty getting in the lane to his mid range spots. A Sammy Detweiler three was key as well as a Nick Wigton euro step layup extended the lead 16-11 after one quarter of action.
Knight’s Cline got the party going early with a nice touch floater. Before Phin Killy and Detweiler answered with back to back layups. Wolfe would go back to work inside proving to be a tough matchup as he scored in the post and hit a couple free throws. Hiland would stretch the lead to 27-19 with 35 seconds left in the period. A Habeger turnover was converted into a Zevin Proper floater and another Habeger turnover gave Xander Schultz a layup to end the first half at 27-23 Hiland.
The Knights came out wanting all the smoke to start the second half as Xander Schultz drained a deep three and Zevin Proper splashed another three as West Holmes took the lead. Another Schultz layup ignited a fire under the Hawks as they clawed their way back into the game. A Wigton three got the ball rolling. Detweiler joined him with another three as he had himself a career night. Habeger who struggled with turnovers and foul trouble got a layup to fall giving the hawks a comfortable lead at 40-31 but the Knights wouldn’t make it that easy. Wolfe hit a pair of from the charity stripe and another Knights layup put it 44-38 going into the final period.
Detweiler drilled a three of a Habeger assist in the first possession of the fourth and that would be the story of the game. Hiland would keep the Knights at a distance and hold on for a 61-51 victory on senior night.
Sammy Detweiler had himself a massive night going for 30 points. Phin Killy joined as the only other player in double figures with 10 points.
Wolfe lead the Knights with 16 and Xander Schultz chipped in 14.
A big win for the Hawks has them rolling into tournaments on a positive note with five straight wins and improving to 13-9. As for the Knights they dropped to 2-22 on the year but make no mistake this is a talented team that could upset anyone in the tournament.
