Jefferson, Spencerville sectional winners

DAVE MOSIER/independent sports

Girls’ sectional tournament action began Tuesday evening, with victories by Delphos Jefferson and Spencerville in the Division IV sectional held in the Cougar’s Den.

The Lady Wildcats got off to a good start with a 52-38 victory over Lincolnview in the first game of the night.

The game was close in the first quarter, with Jefferson leading by just a point, 14-13. The Lady Jeffcats did better in the second quarter, though, doubling the score on Lincolnview with a 12-6 run that put them in front by seven, 26-19, at the half.

The Lady Lancers did a better job on defense to start out the second half and outscored Jefferson 8-7 in the third quarter to trail by six, 34-28, as the fourth and final period began.

With Lincolnview forced to foul to stay in the game, the Wildcats went to the line often, and made enough of their free throws to earn the victory. Jefferson was 14 of 25 from the charity stripe (56 percent), while the Lady Lancers had a better shooting percentage, but far fewer attempts, hitting 5 of 6 free throw attempts (83 percent).

Delphos was led by Kennedy Boggs’ 20 points, while Courtney Lewis added 12 points and Megan Gilden 9 points for the Jeffcats. Lincolnview was led by Julia Thatcher’s 15 points.

The second game was much closer — and more exciting — as Spencerville held off Parkway for a 61-55 sectional tournament victory.

The Lady Bearcats led by three, 15-12, at the end of the first quarter, and outscored Parkway 14-13 in the second quarter to lead by four, 29-25, at the half. Spencerville upped the lead to six points, 41-35, heading into the final stanza, but had to beat back a Lady Panther rally in the fourth quarter to preserve the victory.

The Bearcats were led by Cortney Miller’s 22 points, while Emilee Meyer scored 10 points and Abby Freewalt added 9 counters for Spencerville. Parkway was led by Becca Harshman, who led the game offensively with 24 points, while Megan Fisher had 17 points and Haley Burtch added 10 for the Lady Panthers.