Sports

OXFORD — The Talawanda High School hockey team is back among Ohio's elite this season, loaded with speed, skills and experience.

What can be said about the Braves, who are 12-2-1 overall, 10-0-1 over their last 11 games and ranked seventh in the state by United States High School Hockey Online?

"I don't know if I've got enough adjectives," said John Neeb, in his first year at the THS helm. "They're incredibly talented, they're hockey smart and they're hard-working, that's for sure.

"I can take very little credit for the success we've had this year," he added. "I think they do as they've been trained for 12, 13 years. There's been a concept of start 'em up and get out of their way, they know what they're doing already."

Senior forwards Drew Hoover (29 goals) and Braden Park (10 goals) lead a high-powered offense that's found the back of the net 87 times this year.

With senior Ben Eckhoff and junior Erik Humfleet keying the defense and senior Allan Dowler providing top-notch goaltending, Talawanda hasn't lost since back-to-back defeats against St. John Vianney from St. Louis and Gates Mills Gilmour in November.

"We hadn't built our chemistry yet," Eckhoff said of the losses. "We were just kind of off a little bit, and that made the difference.

"This is one of the most talented teams that Talawanda's had," he continued. "I think we're at the same skill level as most of the top teams in Ohio. Anything less than the Final Four would be somewhat of a disappointment. I just feel like we're too good and too talented that we should go most of the way."

The Braves, leading the Southwest Ohio High School Hockey League's South Division with a 5-0-1 mark, have only been to the Final Four once (in 2004). They were upset by St. Xavier in last year's district quarterfinals.

Hoover said the team's goals are simple.

"Win states and have fun, too," he said. "I think we're stressing too much right now. We just need to keep in mind that sports are for fun."

Talawanda is back in action Saturday, Jan. 10, hosting Beavercreek at Goggin Ice Center.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2194 or rcassano@coxohio.com.