JEROMESVILLE — Ben Ferguson knows his Falcons will have their hands full.
No team playing in this week’s state tournament has as many losses as Hillsdale’s Division VII semifinal opponent. But Kalida’s 16-11 record is deceiving.
The Wildcats are 14-1 against Division VII opponents, including five straight postseason victories.
“Don’t let the record fool you,” Ferguson said Thursday. “They play a monster of a schedule.
“We tried to upgrade our schedule this year. They did what we wanted to do times 10.”
Kalida’s only loss to a Division VII opponent was against unbeaten Delphos St. John’s. The Blue Jays will play Malvern in Friday’s early semifinal game inside Wright State’s Nutter Center.
Kalida’s schedule includes games against two Division III opponents (Lima Shawnee, Wapakoneta) and a Division IV opponent (Van Wert).
“I preach to these guys about our schedule,” Kalida coach Ryan Stechschulte told the Lima News after Saturday’s regional final win over Mountpelier at Bowling Green’s Stroh Center. “Before we played five teams through the regionals, we had one loss to a team in (Division VII) and that was to Delphos St. John’s.”
Hillsdale only had three Division VII opponents on its regular season schedule and won all three games. The Falcons played in a holiday tournament in Florida and lost in the championship game to Spoto (Fla.), a school with an enrollment of 1,900 students.
“The competition we played there was unbelievable,” Ferguson said. “It absolutely has helped us with our tournament run.”
Ferguson’s son, sophomore point guard Lowen Ferguson, averages a team-leading 17.3 points and 5.2 assists per game.
Junior swingman Kael Lewis averages 16.5 points and 9.8 rebounds a game. Twin brother Knox is good for 19.7 points and 8.2 boards a night. Seniors Hayden McFadden (9.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg) and Troy Bennett (7.2 ppg) round out the starting five.
Sophomore guard Owen Grive leads Kalida at 10.6 points a game. He’s joined in the backcourt by guards Logan Kerner (6.1 ppg) and Nate Kahle (4.8 ppg). Forwards Jaxon Hoffman (6.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg) and Parker Vorst (5.3 ppg) round out the starting five.
The Wildcats are in the Final Four for the sixth time in program history. Kalida’s last state tournament appearance resulted in a runner-up finish in 2009.
Hillsdale is making its first ever appearance in the Final Four.
“It’s exciting for the kids,” Ferguson said, “but there is still work to be done.”