I think coaches win tournament games. Not so much during the games, but how they have prepared their team all season and in the days preceding their next game.
I had a kid that went on a long tournament run a while back and I was amazed at how early in the season the Hiland staff was preparing for teams they thought they would see in the tournament. They would scout a district, regional and state team a dozen times or more.
The game prep would involve instruction on def and off schemes and on each player they would face. They would give my brat a cut up of the players they would match up with and he would know where that guy wanted the ball, where he scored from, how he did it, etc. He felt completely prepared for every game. They would translate all of that info and distill it into specific actions: "Don't let him catch the ball here, move him off that spot, make him go left, always spins to the right, etc."
I've heard that they have learned it's better to simplify that prep, but that process is why they tend to advance by winning tough, match up games.
There is no nebulous or ethereal mystique with Hiland. You beat them by either just being better, bigger, more talented than they are OR, if you are a match up team, your coaching staff and players out-work and out-prepare them.
Monroe Central 24-25
Re: Monroe Central 24-25
Winning I think IVC South Division is a big deal especially with a lot of rivals within the league,all the rest of the games are tuneups for the tournaments,I pretty sure from here on out , if Mark has any special tricks up his sleeve he's going to lay on the line from here on out
Re: Monroe Central 24-25
i found it on you tube. Search inside you tube for WTUZ and it should come up
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blackshooky
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OHBuckeyesIO
- Waterboy
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Re: Monroe Central 24-25
MC vs Hiland this Friday 7pm at Cambridge
I'm a little surprised by both scores tonight. Of course neither score means anything for Friday, but Hiland looked a little off at times tonight, obviously the injury did not help. Hopefully he's ok. Caldwell had some breakdowns you just can't afford, but that's what Hiland does to you.
I'm a little surprised by both scores tonight. Of course neither score means anything for Friday, but Hiland looked a little off at times tonight, obviously the injury did not help. Hopefully he's ok. Caldwell had some breakdowns you just can't afford, but that's what Hiland does to you.
Last edited by OHBuckeyesIO on Wed Feb 26, 2025 6:22 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Monroe Central 24-25
How big is the gym at Cambridge? Thinking of driving up for this one if I don't have to get there an hour early to get a seat.
Go Blue
Re: Monroe Central 24-25
Never felt the lead was ever in danger. T Howell has had many great games but he looked so smooth and in control in this one. Anytime Malvern had a little run he took control got a bucket when we needed it. And Malvern is a good team.
Also shout out to the MC fans for filling the stands. I couldn’t make it tonight, nobody can say Nole fans don’t travel well.
Also shout out to the MC fans for filling the stands. I couldn’t make it tonight, nobody can say Nole fans don’t travel well.
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OHBuckeyesIO
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Re: Monroe Central 24-25
Not sure on actual capacity but it was pretty well full for MC and Rosecrans last year
Re: Monroe Central 24-25
I'm with you. Somewhat surprised.OHBuckeyesIO wrote: Tue Feb 25, 2025 10:35 pm MC vs Hiland this Friday 7pm at Cambridge
I'm a little surprised by both scores tonight. Of course neither score means anything for Friday, but Hiland looked a little off at times tonight, obviously the injury did not help. Hopefully he's ok. Caldwell had some breakdowns you just can't afford, but that's what Hiland does to you.
I thought MC always had control of that game. I think the Hornets got the game to 6 early in the 3rd and never got any closer. Malvern got stuck on 26 points for a LONG stretch - just couldn't score.
MC does a bunch of things really well. They get loose with the ball at times, but Hiland will have have their hands very full.
Hiland was off with their offensive execution. Credit a gritty Caldwell bunch and I liked the box and 1 they put on Wigton. PG Alex Miller left the game with what looked like an ankle, which helped the box and 1 work better. But Hiland had some kids step up, Caleb Yoder in particular. It looked like that once Miller was injured, Hiland just wanted to shorten the game, get out of there, and regroup.
Looks like a butt-puckerer is coming in the final. Enjoy.