Cougs, Ottoville get Tip-Off Tourney wins

DAVE MOSIER/independent sports

Van Wert and Ottoville girls were the winners on the first night of the McDonald’s Girls’ Tip-Off Tournament held Friday night in the Van Wert High School gymnasium.

Ottoville and Wayne Trace squared off in the first game, with the Lady Big Green taking an easy victory, 76-34, in the contest.

Ottoville leaped out to a 26-4 first-quarter advantage and never looked back, led by 18-point performances by Lauren Koch and Abby Siefker. Both had seven deuces on the night, while Koch also had a trey and was 1-for-1 at the foul line, and Siefker was 4 of 5 at the charity stripe. Krystal Wannemacher led the Lady Raiders with 12 points, while Ashley Saylor had 9 points for Wayne Trace.

After the quick start, the Big Green outscored Wayne Trace 20-12 in the second period to lead 46-16 at the half. That lead ballooned to 42 points, 64-22, heading into the final stanza when Ottoville had an 18-point offensive output in the third quarter to just 6 points for the Lady Raiders.

Both teams scored 12 points in the fourth quarter to maintain the 42-point margin of victory.

The Lady Cougars had a much tougher time in the second game against cross-county rival Crestview.

In fact, the first quarter was the difference in the game as Van Wert outscored the Lady Knights 14-6 and then tied them in each of the final three periods for a 42-34 win.

The Cougars were led by two players in doubles figures. Alex Morrow had 20 points to lead Van Wert, while Brooke Keber added 10 points for the victors. Danica Hicks was the Knights’ top scorer, with 18 points and was the only Crestview player in double figures.

The Knights and Raiders will now play in the consolation game tonight, which is the first contest, while Van Wert and Ottoville will meet in the championship contest.