Hiland Basketball Sweeps Early January Games with Balanced Offense

Hiland’s basketball program delivered a strong start to the month with commanding performances in three games during the first week of January. The boys team beat Lexington 68-40 on Jan. 6 and opened the week with a 77-33 rout of Claymont on Jan. 3. The girls defeated Claymont 49-33 on Jan. 5. Across those outings the program combined efficient offense with stingy defense, producing large margins of victory that underline the teams’ depth.

In the boys’ 68-40 win over Lexington, leading scorers included Caleb Yoder, Caleb Mishler and Ryan Zerger. The earlier 77-33 win over Claymont emphasized the same tendency toward balanced attack and aggressive defense, as Hiland scored at a high clip while holding opponents below 40 points in both games. Averaging 72.5 points while allowing 36.5 in the two boys outings, the squad posted an average winning margin of 36 points in those contests, a statistical indicator of control on both ends of the floor.

The girls’ 49-33 victory over Claymont featured standout performances from Macy Mullet, Perryn Mishler and Reagan Zerger. That 16-point margin reflected steady offense and timely defense, with the team converting offensive opportunities while limiting second-chance points. Taken together, the program’s three games yielded an average margin of roughly 29 points, reflecting the scale of Hiland’s successes during this stretch.

For Holmes County residents, the results matter beyond the scoreboard. Strong team showings can lift attendance at home games, sustain interest in youth basketball programs, and build a pipeline of players gaining experience in high-pressure situations. For players, balanced scoring—multiple contributors rather than a single go-to scorer—reduces predictability and improves resilience against defenses focused on neutralizing one star.

As Hiland moves into midseason play, the challenge will be maintaining these efficiencies against tougher conference opponents and on the road. Statistical indicators from the early January games suggest the staff has achieved effective rotations and role clarity, which will be essential for sustaining performance through the second half of the season. Local fans can expect competitive matchups ahead as the program leverages this momentum.