Hiland’s Kaufman, Bonifant announce collegiate commitments
Bonifant has signed on to play at national D-II powerhouse West Liberty University, while Kaufman will take his game to Findlay University, where he, too, will do D-II battle.
“Those are two incredibly great, traditionally solid basketball programs, and they are getting two quality young men,” said Hiland coach Mark Schlabach. “We’ve had a lot of good players come through here, and these two are some of the best. They have given our young kids something to aspire to. Dylan has really been a leader by example his whole career. He plays harder than anyone. Seger is more vocal, and really has the leadership ability to talk to guys and make them understand what needs to be done to get better.
“There’s no question that Dylan and Seger were given a lot of God-given talents, but there are a lot of 6-foot-4 and 6-foot-7 guys walking around that didn’t get scholarships. They have earned this. They have earned it through hard work, through dedication and a passion they have for the game. Those things are things people may not realize. They are extremely hard workers and, more importantly, they are extremely great young men.”
Over the past three years in high school, the community has watched both of these players grow and blossom, and since their first games on the varsity floor, most everyone who has watched them play has seen many highlights and moments of greatness. Their early success has led to a huge recruitment following from the college ranks, and that has put added pressure on both of them over the years, as countless college scouts have come to see them play.
So it was gratifying for both to finally settle on a school they felt comfortable with attending.
“It seemed right when I went there to visit,” said Kaufman of Findlay. “I enjoyed the coaches, and the campus was beautiful. I got to spend some time with the guys on the team, and they all seem to really enjoy their time there.”
Kaufman said that his time at Hiland under Schlabach has done well in preparing him for the next level of play, saying of his time at Hiland, “Hiland, I’d like to think, is one of the hardest places to practice, because our practices really prepare us for the college level of play. At least I hope so, or I could be in for a rude awakening. I’m just glad for how hard coach pushes us to strive to be our very best.”
After being wined and dined by countless colleges since his freshman year, Kaufman said that he won’t miss the hectic pace of the rat race that is the recruitment game, and he said now that it is a thing of the past, he can get down to what really matters.
“All we have to do now is worry about winning State again,” said Kaufman. “You don’t have to worry about stats, about who is watching you, whether some school is at your game or not. It’s just about winning now, and that’s fun. I’d always wonder who was at the game and who I had to impress. That’s over, thankfully.”
Bonifant agreed with that assessment.
“In the summer my dad and I were talking about how we wanted to wait until spring to sign, and it was coming into fall and it was already weighing heavy on my shoulders,” said Bonifant. “I didn’t know if I could take that all season, so now that I got it out of the way, I am kind of excited about the upcoming high school basketball season, where I can just go out, play hard and enjoy it without worrying about all this other stuff. It’s going to be fun.”
Bonifant, while attending Hiland and winning a title, said that all of his formative years were well spent honing his craft, from his days with his basketball coaching father to his time at Strasburg.
“I was going to two practices every day when I was young, and I loved it,” said Bonifant. “That molded me and helped me understand and love the game, and I am very comfortable with a basketball in my hands.”
Bonifant knows his strengths and weaknesses, noting that he has to improve his foot speed and quickness to make an immediate impact at the college level. But he believes he has the leadership skills to step in and play quickly.
“You’ve got to be willing to step up and be a leader, even at that level as a freshman,” said Bonifant. “You have to come in with a little swagger, but I know there is plenty I can learn yet.”
As for their leadership skills, the way they play the game has a huge bearing on the younger players who are coming up in the Hiland system. Sophomore Todd Ropp, who stepped in and played varsity minutes as a freshman last season, said he has learned a lot from them in the short time he has been their teammate.
“These guys have led by example, in games and in practice,” said Ropp. “It helps a lot as a younger player to see that kind of wok ethic. You know that they will make you as a player better, and it’s been important to see that knowing that at some point I will be the one being expected to lead. They have done a great job of leading and showing that hard work pays off.”
The career numbers for the two players are staggering, considering both have been starting since their freshman seasons. In three years, Kaufman has averaged 16.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.1 steals per game, while shooting 50 percent from the floor. Bonifant has averaged 14.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.5 blocks per contest, while shooting at a blistering 59 percent clip.
In their sophomore year, Kaufman earned second team All-Ohio honors while Bonifant was a third-team pick at Strasburg. Last year, the Hiland teammates were honored as well, Kaufman being named the Div. IV Player of the Year, while Bonifant was tabbed honorable mention All-Ohio, an amazing feat considering he did not start one game for the Hawks as he learned Schlabach’s system.
Published: November 17, 2011
