Cougar basketball awards

After a 19-7 (8-1 WBL) season that included sectional and district championships and a trip to the Division IV regional semifinals, the Van Wert boys basketball program held its annual awards program Tuesday night. Show above, left to right, are: Kaiven Welch: “Pride Award”; Keaten Welch: Third Team All-WBL; Cohen Bragg: Second Team All-WBL, Honorable Mention All-Northwest District; Zach Crummey: “Chairman of The Boards”, Second Team WBL, Honorable Mention All-Northwest District; Xavier Kelly: “Cougar Award”, First Team All -WBL, Second Team All-Northwest District, Second Team District 8, Honorable Mention All-Ohio; Griffin McCracken: “Claw Award”, Third Team All-WBL, and Caden Collins: “Grit Award”, Honorable Mention All-WBL. Photos submitted

Van Wert coaches presenting the District Championship trophy and game ball to the seniors: Coach Helm, Coach Best, Griffin McCracken, Kaiven Welch, Coach Shindeldecker, and Coach Altimus.

Members of the “Sweet 16” team, consisting of members of both the cheerleading and basketball teams, received commemorative plaques from Coach Best and Cheer Coach Jacque Welch.

No high school shot clock proposal, yet

Editor’s note: this story has been updated with a statement from OHSAA Director of Media Relations Tim Stried.

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports

Despite other published media reports, a formal shot clock proposal has not been submitted to the Ohio High School Athletic Association. However, it certainly appears as though it’s in the works.

Joe Balogh, a longtime boys basketball coach at Ontario High School who amassed 598 wins at the school near Mansfield, is the executive director of the OHSBCA. He said this week that the group discussed a proposal with OHSAA basketball administrators but confirmed no formal proposal was submitted. He did indicate that a test run of sorts took place at three events during the 2025-2026 season, as well as at an event the previous season.

“Two years ago, our association held a shot clock event in December over three days at the Canton Fieldhouse where we had both girls and boys teams compete,” Balogh explained. “This past year we again held our event at the Canton Fieldhouse in December and then also expanded it to any events held over Martin Luther King weekend that got approval from our association and the OHSAA. We had three events apply and all three were approved (The Classic in the Country at Berlin Hiland, The Battle in the 614 at Ohio Dominican, and the MLK Classic at Fort Loramie).”

Balogh added the OHSBCA is expanding the shot clock to any multi-team event that applies and is approved by the OHSBCA and the OHSAA during the 2026-2027 then after that, if all goes as planned, a 35-second shot clock will become statewide the following season.

“As we evaluated this process our hope is that in 2027-2028 the shot clock would be an option for schools to use during the regular season and then in 2028-2029 it would be implemented for regular season play and tournament play.”

While the proposal has yet to be submitted, Balogh said the shot clock would be used at the girls and boys varsity level, but schools would be allowed to use it at the junior varsity and freshmen level.

Tim Stried, Director of Media Relations with the OHSAA said the OHSAA won’t have any comment on the proposal until it is formally presidented to the board of directors. He did offer a statement on what would follow.

“After it is proposed, the board will vote on the proposal at a future meeting, with a simple majority being required to pass the proposal,” Stried explained. “There are nine voting members on the board, so five yes votes are needed. Certainly some coaches and administrators are in favor with the proposal, but I can tell you that not all coaches and administrators are in favor with the proposal.”

If eventually implemented, Ohio would join a growing number of states that use a shot clock. 32 states had shot clocks this past season and three others, Illinois, Kentucky and Pennsylvania will implement it by the 2028-2029 season or before.

First Team All-American!

She was an All-Ohioan while at Crestview and now, Cali Gregory is a first team NAIA All-American. The 5-10 sophomore guard plays for the University of St. Francis, Fort Wayne and this past season, she averaged a team-high 16.7 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, while converting nearly 46 percent of her three point attempts. Gregory led the USF Cougars to a 30-5 record and to the quarterfinals of the NAIA women’s basketball tournament. USF Athletics photo

Crestview wrestling awards

The Crestview High School wrestling program recently concluded its season with head coach Jake Sawmiller and his coaching staff recognizing the team’s accomplishments throughout the season. Scholar-athlete awards (above, left to right): Luke Sawmiller, Grant Grubb, Dakota Thornell and Violet Dirr. Special awards (below): Grant Grubb (Most Near Falls), Hudson Buuck (Most Pins, Most Team Points Scored, Coaches Award), Violet Dirr (Coaches Award), Dakota Thornell (Most Reversals), Bentlee Feasel (Coaches Award), Joe Gerardot (Most Reversals), Luke Sawmiller (NWC Champ, Most Takedowns, Most Near Falls, Most Wins, Most Valuable Player). Not pictured: Dylan Cress (NWC Champ, Coaches Award). Photos submitted

Crestview cheer awards

Crestview High School’s cheerleading programs recently concluded their respective seasons with cheerleading coaches Rachel Garay and Elaina Lance recognizing various accomplishments throughout the fall and winter sports seasons. Cheer scholar-athletes (above, left to right): Caroline Marks, Graylie Grose, Kaci Gregory, Paylin Gray, Rachel Hedden, Jyrzee Craft, Emily Foudy. Absent: Cylee Grubb and Karley Hicks. Special awards (below): Caroline Marks (Varsity Football Most Spirited), Kara Sheaffer (JV Football Most Spirited), Paylin Gray (Varsity Basketball Most Improved), Lana Buckner (JV Basketball Most Spirited), Addysun McDougall (JV Basketball Most Improved), Evelyn Petrie (JV Football Most Improved), Emily Foudy (Varsity Football Most Improved). Absent: Cylee Grubb (Varsity Basketball Most Spirited), Isabella Delgado (JV Basketball Most Improved). Photos submitted

Random Thoughts: strictly shot clock

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports

This week’s installment of Random Thoughts centers completely around a high school shot clock, which is a step closer to reality in Ohio.

Not official, but it may be coming

High school shot clock fans – rejoice. It appears it may be on the horizon in Ohio.

During the OHSAA boys basketball state tournament, the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association shared a shot clock proposal to the OHSAA, sort of. OHSAA Director of Media Relations Tim Stried said it wasn’t a formal proposal, but rather information about a proposal.

An initial report from a different media outlet stated if eventually approved, a 35 second shot clock would possibly be used starting with the 2028-2029 season. OHSBCA Executive Director Joe Balogh has not yet returned a request for comment.

If you’ve read this column before, you know I’m not exactly in favor of a shot clock at the high school level but I’ve also stated it was just a matter of time.

Personally, I don’t think it’s necessary. I’ve heard the argument “it’ll make the game better” but no one has explained exactly how it will do that. I’ve heard people complain about teams with a slim lead draining time off the clock late in a game, saying a shot clock will end that. Of course that’s true, but it’s also taking away a strategy.

I will concede that much of the time the average possession seems to last less than 35 seconds, so it may not be a huge factor. However, what’s wrong with a team that can’t find a good shot reseting the offense? How is it better to force up a bad shot before the shot clock expires?

It’s my opinion that in some cases, it’s going to widen the gap between better teams and teams that are struggling. I could be wrong. I’ve been wrong before and I’m sure I’ll be wrong again.

Regardless, I’ll be shocked if the proposal, if and when it’s formally submitted, isn’t approved by the OHSAA.

College

Another argument I hear from shot clock proponents is “it’ll help get kids ready for the collegiate level.” What? Something like three percent of all high school basketball players go on to play college ball, and that’s Division I-III and NAIA. 97 percent don’t. Sorry, but that’s not a valid reason.

VW independent baseball, softball recap

VW independent sports

Baseball 

Van Wert 7 Spencerville 0

SPENCERVILLE — Conner Harris and Wyatt Scott teamed up to hold Spencerville to just one hit as Van Wert blanked the Bearcats 7-0 on Monday. Harris gave up the hit, a first inning single, while striking out six and walking three in five innings. Scott pitched the remaining two innings and struck out three and walked one, as Van Wert improved to 2-0 on the season.

At the plate, Cam Werts had a two-RBI single in the top of the fifth and Scott hit a two-run homer in the sixth. Griffin McCracken paced the Cougars with three hits, while Trevor Halker added a pair of hits.

Van Wert is scheduled to host Lincolnview on Thursday.

Softball

Lincolnview 18 Minster 0 (five innings)

Ila Hughes shut down Minster with a no-hitter with seven strikeouts on Monday and Lincolnview cruised by the Wildcats 18-0 in five innings.

The Lancers scored early and often with three runs in the first inning, including a two-RBI single by Kassidy Hammons in the second, and two-RBI singles by Cassidy Rank and Emme Stevens, and a two-run homer by Ansley Schwab in a nine-run third inning.

Lincolnview (3-0) will host Tinora today.

Parkway 11 Van Wert 1 (five innings)

ROCKFORD — Parkway scored three runs in each of the first two innings and from there the Panthers went on to beat Van Wert 11-1 in five innings on Monday.

Van Wert’s lone run came in the top of the second, when Layla Sudduth stole home. Brittyn Bruns led Parkway with four hits and three RBI. Madelyn Stover and Bryn Schoenleben each drove in two runs for the Panthers (3-0).

Parkway will host Botkins today and Van Wert will host Lincolnview on Wednesday.

Softball: Cougars, Knights, Lancers win

VW independent sports

Softball

Van Wert 6 Delphos Jefferson 4

Van Wert trailed 4-0 entering the bottom of the sixth inning, but the Cougars exploded for six runs in a 6-4 win over Delphos Jefferson on Saturday. It was Van Wert’s first win of the season and the first loss by the Wildcats.

Emma Haines started the scoring for Van Wert with an RBI single, then a two-RBI double by Emma West pulled the Cougars to within one, 4-3. The next batter, Layla Sudduth gave Van Wert a 5-4 lead with a two-RBI single, then Haley Dunlap doubled in Suddeth to complete the rally.

Delphos Jefferson’s runs came in the second, when Carolyn Mueller doubled in two, then on back-to-back RBI hits in the sixth by Blaire Gable and Megan Kerner.

Grace Kitson led Van Wert with two hits, while West and Sudduth each had two RBI. On the mound, West went the distance and allowed seven hits while striking out eight and walking four. Gianna Lee led Delphos Jefferson with two hits. Claire Brinkman took the loss by allowing all six runs on seven hits with two strikeouts and three walks. 

Van Wert (1-2) will play at Parkway on Monday, while Delphos Jefferson (3-1) will host Kalida on Thursday.

Crestview 7 Antwerp 1

CONVOY — Violet Dirr had three hits and knocked in three runs to lead Crestview to a 7-1 win over Antwerp on Saturday.

Dirr singled in Kaylee Owens in the first inning, then four successive batters opened the floodgates for Crestview in the bottom of the third. A double by Owens in scored Kaci Gregory to give the Lady Knights a 2-0 lead. Dirr drove in Owens, then a double by Dakota Thornell plated Dirr. Thornell then scored on a single by Alli Thatcher, giving Crestview a 5-0 lead. Dirr accounted for Crestview’s remaining runs in the fifth, doubling home Owens, then scoring on a sacrifice fly by Thatcher. Antwerp’s only run came on an error in the fourth.

Thatcher earned the complete game win with one unearned run, six hits, six strikeouts and just one walk.

Crestview (1-2) is scheduled to play at Defiance on Tuesday. 

Lincolnview 6 Wapakoneta 0

Ila Hughes struck out 14 batters to lead Lincolnview to a 6-0 win over Wapakoneta on Saturday. Hughes gave up just two hits and one walk in the victory. She also had a team high three hits and scored three runs.

Lainey Spear’s two-run homerun to center field put the Lancers ahead 2-0 in the first inning, then Bella Hire singled home Hughes in the third. A solo homer by Emme Stevens in the fourh gave Lincolnview a 4-0 lead, then Hughes scored on a single by Spears. Kassidy Hammons wrapped up the scoring in the fifth when she crossed home plate on an error.

Spear finished with a pair of hits and three RBI, while Hire also had two hits.

Lincolnview (2-0) is scheduled to host Minster on Monday.

Cougar baseball team wins season opener

VW independent sports

DELPHOS — It was a pitchers duel in Van Wert’s season opening 2-0 win against Delphos Jefferson on Saturday.

For Van Wert, Jace Huebner and Easton Putman combined to allow just two hits, while Wildcat pitchers Dean Trentman and Isaac Rostorfer did the same. In five innings of work, Huebner gave up two hits, struck out eight and walked three, while Putman allowed no hits over the final two innings while fanning four and walking one. Trentman and Rostorfer each gave up a hit, with Trentman striking out four and walking five, while Rostorfer struck one one batter.

The only two runs of the game came with two outs in the top of the seventh when Huebner scored on a wild pitch, then Putman scored on an error on a fly ball by Cam Werts. Putman then struck out the side to preserve the win.

Huebner, the No. 9 batter, and leadoff hitter Griffin McCracken had Van Wert’s only hits of the game, while Tyler Wiseman and Dalton Welker had Jefferson’s lone hits.

Van Wert (1-0) will play at Spencerville on Monday and Delphos Jefferson (0-1) will host Riverdale on Tuesday.

Softball: Aces rally past Crestview

VW independent sports

HICKSVILLE — Crestview had more hits but Hicksville had more runs as the Aces defeated the Lady Knights 10-8 on Friday.

The game was tied 4-4 after the first inning, 5-5 after two and 6-6 after three. Crestview scored one run in the fourth and fifth innings, but Hicksville answered with two runs in the bottom of the fifth and two more in the sixth inning.

Kaci Gregory had three of Crestview’s 16 hits, while Alli Thatcher, Kylie Williams and Delanie Balliet each finished with two hits. Hicksville finished with nine hits.

Crestview (0-2) will host Antwerp at 1 p.m. today.