Kaufman is glue for defending champs

COLUMBUS

Take a day trip to Holmes County and you’ll think you’ve gone back to another century.

It’s deep in the heart of Amish country. You’ll see a lot more horse-and-buggy outfits than a Cadillac or a Lexus.

It’s an area of interesting dichotomies — on one corner you’ll be able to buy a hand-woven afghan rug, and the next you can get a Big Mac meal.

But it’s also an area full of of charm, and not just in Charm, a little community nestled in the southeast corner of the county.

A few miles north is Berlin, a village that passes as the “big city” for the locals, but is also home to one of the best basketball programs in Ohio.

On Saturday — with 4,000 fans from back home in the stands — the Hiland Hawks, coached by an alum and former all-stater Mark Schlabach, won their third state championship since 1992 — and second consecutive — with a 68-36 victory over previously-unbeaten Jackson Center in the Division IV state championship game.

The Hawks did it with a suffocating defense, holding Jackson Center to 24 percent shooting. That effort led to a fluid transition game and uncanny efficiency on the offensive end. Hiland shot 54 percent from the field, led 15-5 after the first quarter and never seem threatened.

Hiland had eight seniors on it’s roster and started five of them. Everyone has a role — Seger Bonifant is the defensive stopper, Neil Gingerich is the shot blocker and Jason Miller and Chase Gerber get things set up in the half court.

But it’s Dylan Kaufman who is the glue, bringing all the parts together.

The 6-foot-5 senior, who last week was named state co-player of the year’ finished the weekend with 37 points and seven rebounds. He wasn’t happy with his shooting here despite going 15 of 29.

“I was kind of forcing things [from the outside],” said Kaufman, “so I tried to go to the basket more.”

That experience and maturity is another dichotomy. Kaufman has the kind of mischievous smile that makes you not want to turn your back on him. During the post-game press conference, Schlabach was talking about his team’s “X” factor that allows it to succeed in difficult times. Behind him was Kaufman, rolling his eyes with that mischievous smile.

Perhaps it’s because Kaufman knows all too well about personal difficulty, the real life kind. In February 2007, he was a passenger in a van driven by older brother Dustin that lost control on an icy road and struck a semi tractor trailer. Dylan’s father and grandmother perished in the crash.

Out of the tragedy, Dylan and Dustin have formed a tight-knit bond. Dustin is the coach of Dylan’s AAU team, and serves as his post-game sounding board.

“I miss hearing my dad in the stands, yelling at me,” said Dylan, “but Dustin’s up there, yelling for him.

“I play every game and think of my Dad. I’m in the gym working for him.”

That’s not his only inspiration.

“I think it’s all God. He blessed me with the body and the talent to perform.”

Then he flashes that mischievous smile, just to let you know he’s cool.

“I can’t believe the season’s over. It doesn’t feel like it’s over. I may show up to practice on Monday.”

Rob Todor is sports editor at The Vindicator. Email him at todor@vindy.com