Cougars lose to O-G to end WBL season

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

OTTAWA – It wasn’t the regular season-ender Van Wert Coach Dave Froelich was likely seeking as Ottawa-Glandorf held off the Cougars down the stretch for a 63-55 Western Buckeye League boys’ basketball victory on Friday.

Van Wert got out to a 12-11 lead in the first quarter, but the Titans parlayed a 19-15 second quarter into a three-point lead, 30-27, at the half. Both teams scored 19 points in the third quarter, but it was a technical foul assessed to Froelich for questioning a call that appeared to give O-G back the momentum the Cougars had midway in the period that was a factor in the game.

A 14-9 fourth-quarter advantage for the Titans ensured their victory.

O-G’s size inside was also a factor in keeping the Cougars from penetrating to the basket, as Van Wert’s shooting statistics show. When the Cougars are penetrating, they’re making high-percentage baskets and two-point shooting is generally above 50 percent. Friday’s statistics show Van Wert making just 16 of 36 two-point attempts (44.4 percent). The Titans were 24 of 47 from two-point range (51.1 percent).

Another problem O-G’s size inside presented to the Cougars was rebounding. The Titans’ dominance on the boards limited Van Wert put-back opportunities, while O-G had a number of second chances for baskets on the night. The Titans had 29 rebounds to just 16 for Van Wert. The Cougars also had more turnovers, 14-11, than O-G.

Van Wert did well from three-point range, though, knocking down 6 of 10 (60 percent), while the Titans made 2 of 5 three-point attempts (40 percent). The Cougars were also clicking at the free-throw line, where they hit 5 of 6 from the line (83.3 percent), compared to 9 of 14 (64.3 percent) for O-G.

Reggie Phillips led Van Wert with 17 points on the night, while Jacob Myers added 16 points and Joey Hurless and AJ Smith scored 9 points. The Titans had three players in double figures, led by Michael Rosebrock’s 16 points. TJ Metzger added 15 points for O-G, while Logan Koch had 12 points for the Titans.

O-G’s scoring was also more diverse than the Cougars’, with nine Titans getting on the scoreboard, versus just five for Van Wert.

With the loss, the Cougars finish the regular season at 14-6 and 6-3 in the WBL. Ottawa-Glandorf, which was tied with Van Wert for third-place in the league, now has second place to itself at 7-2, while the Titans are also 14-6 overall. Van Wert remains in third place.

With Elida’s victory of league leader Defiance on Friday, those two teams now share the league’s top spot at 8-1. The Bulldogs’ only loss in the league came at the hands of Van Wert.

Next up for the Cougars is the Division II Sectional Tournament at Lima Senior, where Van Wert will play WBL foe Celina in the second game this coming Wednesday, February 29. Game time will be approximately 8 p.m.

Elsewhere around the county, Crestview was a winner over Ada, 68-56, while the Lincolnview Lancers downed Allen East 67-53.