It certainly was for the Hiland High girls' basketball team.

Hiland took last year's disheartening loss to Columbus Africentric in the Division IV regional championship game and turned it into the program's fourth title this decade following a 44-37 win over the same Africentric bunch in the 2008 state title tilt at Value City Arena on Monday.

Hiland (27-1), ranked No. 2 in the state coming in, knocked off the No. 1 Nubians for their fourth championship and third in the last four seasons. It was the fourth straight time the two teams had hooked up in the tournament.

Africentric, which stopped the Hawks in their bid for a "threepeat" last season in the regional championship, ended up with 25-2 ledger.

Defense, rebounding, fundamental play combined with a huge 24-0 run that spanned the first and second quarters keyed the Hawks to their fourth championship.

After losing to Africentric in last year's regional title game, the Hawks had plenty of time to stew.

"Losing last year stunk," admitted senior Jena Stutzman, who led the Hawks with 14 points. "It was a lot of motivation. We knew that defense and rebounding was going to win us a state championship."

Sophomore Hilary Weaver, who was next in line with eight off the bench, said last year's loss to the Nubians has been in their minds.

"We were really hungry and we wanted to get back," said Weaver. "Especially coming and watching the team that beat us win a state championship. That really hurt."

Hiland coach Dave Schlabach, who is a perfect 4-0 coaching in the title game, said losing is always a motivational factor.

"We didn't specifically talk about an Africentric rematch, but I know the kids discussed it and it was a big motivating factor for them."

Africentric jumped out to a 13-5 lead at the end of the first quarter as Hiland turned the ball over six times and was on top 15-5 early in the second quarter before the Hawks clamped down on defense and began hitting shots.

Thirteen minutes later, Hiland was on top 29-15 and Weaver's second triple of the game at the end of the third quarter gave the Hawks a 32-17 lead going to the final eight minutes of play.

Stutzman fueled the run offensively with two triples and three regular buckets.

"She just loves to play basketball," said Schlabach of Stutzman. "She took a lot less shots as a senior than she did as a junior. We tried to give confidence in our other kids and that's why we had so many other kids make plays for us."

Africentric coach Will McKinney said his team's shots didn't fall and Hiland's did.

"Hiland did a great job defensively," assessed McKinney. "Their defense was really good.

"During that stretch they started knocking down shots and we couldn't get the ball in the basket. When you don't score with the basketball, it's hard to use you defensive pressure. It was frustrating."

Hiland made 39 percent of their shots with a 16-of-41 effort, while Africentric was 16 of 50 for 32 percent.

Tyeasha Moss led the Nubians with 15 points, including 10 in the final frame. Ashar Harris was next with seven points and 11 rebounds.

Schlabach said his team was well prepared for the Nubians and the delay of two days by the inclement weather may have been a blessing in disguise.

"For three days, we were able to watch a lot of game film," said Schlabach. "Nothing they did surprised us."

Schlabach would have liked to have seen his team get off to a better beginning.

"It wasn't the ideal start we were looking for," admitted Schlabach. "We've been in that situation before, but our kids believed."

Stutzman was assigned to help slow down Moss, the Division IV Player of the Year. The Xavier-bound senior was 7 of 23 shooting from the floor.

"She's a great shooter," said Stutzman of Moss. "I just tried to keep a hand in her face and not let her get any open looks."

Hiland took its 15-point lead into the final frame, but Africentric scored the first six points of the fourth quarter to get back into the game.

Moss led the comeback with her 10 points as the Nubians turned up the defensive pressure.

However, it was too late as the Hawks were able to maintain their lead.

Africentric got to within seven points with 30 seconds left, but Stutzman's two free throws with 18 ticks left sealed the deal.

"All three of them are awesome," said Stutzman of her three state titles. "Obviously, as a senior the last one is going to feel the best because you led your team."

Schlabach said which of the four state titles he likes is like which one of your children do you love the best.

"We just want our kids to experience this," said Schlabach. "The couple things I don't like about coaching is watching my kids get hurt and watching our seniors play their last game, but it sure doesn't hurt near as bad when you win a state championship."