Sammy Detweiler. If you haven’t heard the name you are missing out on a big time player. Detweiler’s clutch gene kicked in again as the hawks defeated the lancers 55-51. The junior guard went full court with 13 seconds left to give the hawks a two point lead with five seconds left. He also hit the game winning free throws against River in the district final.
Hiland advances to play Westerville Northside Christian in the Regional Finals on March.10th on Friday. Northside knocked off Franklin Furnace Green 66-56 in the late game at Ohio University’s Convocation Center.
First Quarter. Basketball – thirty. The famous slogan Ohio’s announcer uses at the Convo. The hawks have advanced to the regional finals for the 7th year in a row, they know a thing or two about basketball-thirty in the Convo. Junior big man Alex Yoder got the party started with a offensive rebound put-back for the first two points of the game and then got another layup on a dish from Phin Killy. Junior Andrew Airhart drilled a three and got a layup to give the lancers a 13-10 lead after one.
2nd Quarter. Airhart proving to be a tough matchup scored a scoop layup before assisting on another play fiving the lancers a a seven point lead and their largest of the game. Go-to guy Detweiler immediately got into the lane for a jumper. Sophomore three point specialist Nick Wigton hit three’s on back to back possessions. Hocking would not be intimidated as they battled back and tied it up at 22 a piece before Detweiler dished it off to Killy for a layup. Still not deterred, Hocking hit timely shots for a 25-24 lead at the half.
3rd Quarter. Airhart would go scoreless in the third quarter as Hiland keyed in on him defensively. Detweiler drew the task of stopping the lancers ace and succeeded. Detweiler and freshman Alex Miller both hit trey’s in the third quarter but nice steal and finish Tariq Cottrill tied it up at 36. Another three from Hiland and two free throws by Carson Habeger put Hiland at 41. The lancers answered with an and one layup to put it 41-39 Hiland at the conclusion of the third period.
4th Quarter. Habeger made a fast break layup and assisted to Alex Yoder for two as Hiland stretched the lead 45-39. Airhart received a lob pass on an illegal screen no call from Caden Chapman and he converted for two points. Detweiler again converted on a mid range jumper as he dealt with being face-guarded the whole game. A drive and pitch three by Senior Iden Miller swished and gave the lancers a one point lead. Big man Yoder corralled a blocked Detweiler shot and finished it for two. Miller then threw a full court bomb to Yoder and he laid it in as Hiland gathered a three point lead with under 40 seconds to go. Hocking went back to their guy Airhart and he bombed a deep three to tie the game with 13 seconds left. Sammy Detweiler ( Him ) went full court and hit a floater and gave the Hiland faithful some relief. Five seconds left Hocking called a time out to set up their play. Inbound to Cottrill and he dribbled up the floor and passed to Airhart and the ball slipped out of his hands and out of bounds. 0.8 seconds left Habeger inbounded to Wigton who was fouled and drained both at the charity stripe. 55-51 Hiland advances.
Hiland shot 43% from the field to Hocking’s 40%. Free throw’s proved to be the difference as Hocking hit 6/11 and Hiland 8/11. Detweiler went for 16 points , four rebounds, and three assists. Habeger had 10 points, five rebounds, and one assist. Yoder put up a double double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. For the lancer’s Airhart had 17 points and five rebounds. Miller had 11 points and three rebounds. Cottrill had 10 points, five rebounds, and seven assists.
Basketball – thirty lives on for the hawks as they will play back at the Convo on Friday with a trip to the State Final Four on the line. Coach Schlabach has his teams rolling every year in March and has the chance to make his fourth State appearance in the last six years.
