Knights win sectional crown over O’ville

Van Wert independent sports

The Crestview Knights got out quick on Ottoville, but basically just played more consistently than the Big Green to earn a Division IV sectional tournament title on Friday at Van Wert.

The Knights were up by 12, 17-5, at the end of a quarter, but Ottoville rallied to outscore Crestview 17-9 in the second quarter to trail by four, 26-22, at the half. The Knights again had a big quarter in the third, though, as they went on a 14-2 run to make it a 16-point game, 40-24, at the three-quarter mark. The Big Green took the final stanza, 12-8, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Crestview’s big lead.

With the win, the Knights are now 20-3 on the year, while Ottoville ends its season at 9-15 overall.

Damian Helm led Crestview offensively with 14 points, while Tyson Bolenbaugh added 12 for the Knights. Luke Schimmoeller was Ottoville’s top scorer, with 12 points.

Crestview was 14 of 29 from the field (48.3 percent), while the Big Green made 11 of 28 field goal attempts (39.3 percent). The Knights were 15 of 26 from the free throw line (57.7 percent), while Ottoville made 10 of 15 free throws (66.7 percent).

Crestview will next play at Elida in a Division IV district semifinal game on Tuesday, starting at 8 p.m.