Hiland Dominates Waynedale in Early Season Showdown at The Perry Reese Center.
Hiland asserted their dominance over the Waynedale Golden Bears with a commanding 52-28 victory. Known for their rich basketball tradition, Hiland’s disciplined defense and offensive execution were on full display, as they controlled the game from start to finish.
First Quarter: Defensive Lockdown
Waynedale struggled to find their rhythm early, plagued by turnovers and missed opportunities, including several air-ball layups and off-the-mark shots. Hiland capitalized on these mistakes, jumping out to a 17-4 lead. The Hawks’ defense was relentless, setting the tone for the rest of the game.
Second Quarter: Hiland Holds Strong
Despite their defensive efforts to keep Waynedale under double digits, Hiland saw the Golden Bears find some offensive momentum. At halftime, the Hawks led 26-11. Joplin Yoder, an Ashland University commit and key player for Hiland, saw limited minutes in the second half due to foul trouble.
Reflecting on the situation, Hiland Head Coach Brady Schlabach noted, “It was good for us to go through foul trouble, especially with Joplin. Our relationship with Ashland is to look up to them and be like them. The hard work pays off. Joplin shot 46,000 shots and did 45 hours of ball handling over the summer, so she’s a hard worker.”
Third Quarter: Total Control
The third quarter was a defensive clinic for Hiland. Waynedale’s offensive woes continued, as they remained scoreless until the final minute, only managing to break through with a three-pointer and a layup. Hiland punctuated their dominance with a buzzer-beating shot to close the quarter ahead 42-16.
Fourth Quarter: Sealing the Victory
Waynedale showed brief flashes of life, opening the final quarter with a three-pointer to cut the deficit to 42-19. However, Hiland responded decisively, maintaining their lead and cruising to a 52-28 win. This victory marks the Hawks’ second consecutive triumph over the Golden Bears, dating back to last season.
Player Highlights
For Hiland, Evie Mast led all scorers with 14 points, followed closely by Joplin Yoder with 12 points despite limited playing time. On the Waynedale side, Natalie Clever managed 9 points, while Brooke Compston added 6.
Looking Ahead: A Tough Test
With this win, Hiland improves to 1-1 on the season, while Waynedale falls to 1-2. The Hawks now turn their attention to a pivotal matchup against state-ranked Chippewa next Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Coach Schlabach emphasized the importance of preparation for the upcoming challenge: “Chippewa — it’s gonna come down to the team that makes the most plays. We need to get downhill and score, and we have to get stops. Obviously, the Regan girls will be the ones we need to stop.”
Berlin Hiland alumni Zoe Miller has eclipsed her 1000 point as an Ashland Eagle. She recently hit 1000 career total points last season.
Zoe Miller has emerged as a key contributor to Ashland University’s women’s basketball program, showcasing her talent, leadership, and academic excellence. Her impact on the court and in the classroom has earned her numerous accolades, helping her team to a national championship in her first season.
During the 2023-24 season, Zoe was recognized as a WBCA Honorable Mention All-American and earned D2CCA Second-Team All-Midwest Region honors. She ranked second in NCAA Division II in field-goal percentage, shooting an impressive 61.2%. She averaged 13.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while maintaining a 41.5% shooting percentage from beyond the arc. Her academic excellence was acknowledged with a CSC Academic All-District selection, and she earned First-Team All-Great Midwest Athletic Conference honors. Zoe also achieved Great Midwest Academic All-Conference recognition.
Playing in all 37 games, including five starts, Zoe played a crucial role in Ashland’s national championship run. She earned Second-Team All-Great Midwest honors, averaging 12.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 20.3 minutes per game, with shooting percentages of 60.1% from the field and 42.2% from three-point range.
Before joining Ashland University, Zoe played at Bowling Green State University during the 2021-22 season, appearing in 23 games with five starts. She averaged 8.1 points and 3.0 rebounds per game, shooting 46.8% from the floor.
In high school, Zoe was a two-time First-Team All-Ohio selection in Division III. She was named East District Division III Player of the Year as a sophomore and earned Co-Player of the Year honors as a junior. She also dominated her conference, earning Inter-Valley Conference Player of the Year recognition. During her junior season, Zoe averaged 15.6 points and 10 rebounds per game, shooting 47.1% from the field and 33% from three-point range. She played a crucial role in her high school team’s success, helping them win league championships in each of her first three seasons and contributing to a 25-year conference title streak.
In honor of us making our first trip to Hiland this Wednesday let’s take a look at Perry Reese Jr.: A Legacy of Triumph and Transformation in Ohio Basketball
In the annals of Ohio sports history, few figures have left a legacy as transformative and inspiring as Perry Reese Jr. Born on August 29, 1952, in Canton, Ohio, Reese defied societal barriers and transcended racial and religious divides to become a revered high school basketball coach. His journey from a young African American man navigating rural Holmes County to a Hall of Fame inductee in 2023 is a story of resilience, innovation, and profound impact.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
A graduate of Canton Timken High School in 1970, Reese attended Muskingum University, earning his degree in 1974. He began his coaching career at Guernsey Central Catholic High School from 1979 to 1983. There, he honed his craft and gained the respect of peers, earning an opportunity to represent National High School Coaches at a camp and clinic in Leeds, England, in 1983. Later that year, Reese joined the Berlin Hiland basketball program in Holmes County as an assistant to Hall of Fame coach Charlie Huggins.
Overcoming Challenges in Holmes County
Reese’s arrival at Berlin Hiland in 1983 was met with skepticism. As an African American Catholic in a predominantly white, Amish, and rural community, Reese faced inherent racism and cultural barriers. But through his work ethic, character, and dedication, he broke down those walls, becoming a trusted figure in the community.
When Reese took over as head coach in 1984, the Hiland Hawks experienced immediate success, going 49-4 in his first two seasons and reaching the state semifinals in 1986. However, the program faced a downturn shortly after, culminating in a challenging 3-18 season. Undeterred, Reese revolutionized the team’s approach, replacing the slow-paced style with a high-energy, up-tempo system that became his trademark.
A Legacy of Excellence
Reese’s bold changes paid off, as Hiland flourished under his leadership. Over 16 seasons, his teams amassed a remarkable 304-85 record, achieving an extraordinary 78.1% win rate. His tenure included 11 conference titles, 11 sectional championships, five trips to the state tournament, and a Division IV state championship in 1992. That title run, highlighted by a dramatic comeback win over Lima Central Catholic and a victory against Gates Mills Gilmour Academy, remains etched in Ohio basketball lore.
Reese’s influence extended far beyond the court. Sports Illustrated chronicled his transformative impact on the community in an article titled “High Education: How Perry Reese Jr. Changed an Ohio Community Forever.” The piece stands as one of the publication’s most celebrated stories, underscoring his ability to unite a divided community through the universal language of sport.
Accolades and Contributions
Reese’s contributions were widely recognized during his career. He earned numerous coaching honors, including:
Associated Press Coach of the Year: 1990, 1999
Division IV Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the Year: 1990
East District Coach of the Year: 1985, 1986, 1990, 1993, 1995, 2000
IVC and District 5 Coach of the Year: Five times
Reese also served as a district director of the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association and held various coaching roles in volleyball and track. His dedication to his players went beyond basketball, as he instilled values of discipline, teamwork, and perseverance, leaving an indelible mark on their lives.
An Enduring Impact
Perry Reese Jr.’s career was tragically cut short when he passed away from cancer in 2000. Yet, his legacy endures. He remains a symbol of excellence, perseverance, and unity, embodying the virtues of teaching and education. His impact on the Hiland basketball program and the Holmes County community is a testament to his unwavering commitment to his players and his belief in the power of sport to transcend barriers.
Reese’s life and career are a reminder that true greatness is not measured solely by victories but by the lives touched and the communities transformed. Perry Reese Jr. was more than a coach; he was a mentor, a leader, and a pioneer whose legacy will continue to inspire for generations to come.