HEALTH-FITNESS
Instant classic Regina to visit Hiland in battle of small-school powerhouses
By CHRISTY JOHNSON
Daily Record Sports Writer
BERLIN -- Tipoff for one of the biggest regular-season girls basketball matchups the area has ever seen is set for Thursday night at Perry Reese Community Center in Berlin.
At one end of the court will be local powerhouse and last year's Div. IV runner-up Hiland (15-1). At the other will be reigning Div. III champion South Euclid Regina (14-2).
Both teams have had plenty of postseason success. Hiland has won four Div. IV titles, while Regina has six in Div. III.
So why are these two teams, from different backgrounds and divisions meeting up to duke it out?
The answer isn't as simple as giving area fans the chance to see state-caliber girls basketball in early February, though that's a plus.
Each season, Hawks' coach Dave Schlabach tries to beef up his four-game non-conference schedule with the most competitive teams in Ohio, so it is no surprise the Royals were on his short list.
Not only are the Royals ranked second in Div. III in the Ohio AP poll, they may be the best team the Hawks have ever faced in the regular season -- aside from Potter's House (Jacksonville, Fla.), which beat Hiland 77-54 at the Classic in the Country Jan. 16.
"We think that Regina is one of the best teams in the state in any division," said Schlabach, whose team has never faced the Royals. "We like to see what we are made of. Games like this test our kids' toughness. It will be a good challenge for us. We are preparing for Thursday like we would prepare for a regional game."
Hiland will also be gearing up for Regina much like they did for Potter's House, as the two teams have similar styles of play.
"We can't just focus on one kid, we have to try and defend everyone," Schlabach said. "They put the most experienced athletes in every position on the floor."
Regina is led by arguably the best point guard in the state, Tay'ler Mingo.
Mingo, a 5-foot-7 senior, is committed to Florida State and is averaging 16.4 points per game for the Royals. Mingo is followed in scoring by 5-foot-8 sophomore guard Nirra Fields (14.6 ppg.), and 6-3 Ole Miss signee Pa'Sonna Hope (9.6 ppg).
"They have size and speed," Schlabach said. "Every kid they play will end up at a Div. I college program."
Hiland is not short on Div. I college talent, either. Hawks' point guard Hilary Weaver is committed to Lehigh University, while shooting guard Noelle Yoder has signed with Bowling Green.
Yoder, the team's leading scorer (18.6 ppg), has missed the past three games after suffering an MCL sprain in her left knee. She's expected to be back on the court against Regina.
"We've rested her for the past 10 days, but she wouldn't let me keep her out of these two games this week," said Schlabach, who added Yoder is around 75-80 percent healthy.
Weaver is a force all her own on the court, and currently averages 15.4 points and 8.1 assists per game. Seniors Katelyn Stuckey (9.4 ppg.) and sophomore McKenzie Miller (9.3 ppg.), help keep the team balanced.
While the Hawks have only lost one game this season, Schlabach said his team still has a way to go before the postseason begins.
"We're not as good right now as we were a year ago," Schlabach said. "But we're getting there. I think we made huge strides at the Classic and the kids are starting to believe in themselves."
The winner will have all-time bragging rights because this is assured of being a one-game series. Regina announced in October that it will close due to financial reasons after this school year.
Christy Johnson can be reached at 330-287-1624 or cjohnson@the-daily-record.com