DAYTON — Hiland couldn't match Richmond Heights' talent during Saturday's Div. IV state semifinals. 

The Spartans were overwhelming, beating the Hawks by 38 before dismantling Tri-Village 50-29 in the state championship game. They were a force to be reckoned with and might have competed for a title in higher divisions as well. 

But even in defeat, one thing shone through for Hiland — toughness. 

Sure, that's always the cliché about the small-town team that achieves big things. Sometimes it's true, sometimes its overexaggerated. 

It's wasn't hyperbole for these Hawks. 

Take Dylan Weaver, for example. 

The Hiland senior suffered a high ankle sprain during the Hawks' regional final win on Friday, March 11, a week before the state semifinals.

This wasn't a normal ankle sprain every basketball player has grimaced through. It's type of sprain that keeps professional athletes, who have access to the best doctors, trainers and medicine, out for weeks. 

Weaver was in a walking boot all week. Even the day before Hiland's matchup with Richmond Heights, Weaver's leg remained in the boot, hoping that every hour of recovery would give him a chance to play in Dayton. 

And guess what? When Hiland took the court for warmups Saturday morning, there Weaver was, trading his walking boot for an ankle brace and a basketball sneaker. He played 17 minutes of high-level basketball on an ankle which many people couldn't use to walk. 

"I knew (and) all his teammates knew he was going to give us everything he could," Hiland coach Mark Schlabach said. "And he did. I'm proud of him." 

During the game, Grant Miller tweaked his ankle while playing defense. He looked to bench for a moment, but quickly shook his head. Even while trailing by double digits, he wasn't coming out of the game he worked so hard to play in for years. He grimaced and went back to playing. 

"We have the toughest kids, man," Schlabach said. "Kids at other schools tweak and ankle and don't practice. Our kids are so tough. They practice through everything. Our No. 1 most important trait in our program is toughness and they show it every day." 

Chris Shetler is another Hawk who overcame previous injury to lead Hiland's run to the state tournament. His lower-leg/ankle injury before the 2020-21 season is the type that ends basketball careers. His tibia was fractured and his ankle ligaments shredded. 

"His ankle doesn't move," Schlabach said. "It was a bad enough injury where (the doctors) weren't sure if he was going to play any sport again." 

But Shetler has been on the court all season, and was on the court Saturday against Richmond Heights. His injury may have limited him at times, but never stopped him. 

Hiland's mental and physical toughness was something Richmond Heights was well aware of as it prepared for the Hawks. 

"Coming in, we knew they were scrappy and tough," Richmond Heights coach Quentin Rogers said. "One thing about them is they have a culture. They've won, both girls and boys. We didn't take them lightly. We knew they were going to come after us." 

The Hawks indeed went after the Spartans, going into halftime trailing by five, but ultimately ran of gas against a bigger and better team. 

Hiland may not have any teams in the future with multiple Division I college prospects like they saw against Richmond Heights. 

But with the culture of toughness they've built in Berlin, the Hawks' 12th final four appearance will not be their last.