Knights, Big Green earn district berths

Van Wert independent

Crestview and Ottoville won sectional titles over the weekend at the Division IV tournament at Van Wert.

The Lady Knights defeated a scrappy Delphos St. John’s team 45-29, while Ottoville edged Kalida 58-53 in the first game of the evening.

Crestview used runs in the second and fourth periods to eke out a victory over the Lady Blue Jays on Saturday. Both teams were tied at 6-all at the end of the first quarter, but the Knights outscored St. John’s 13-6 in the second quarter to lead by seven, 19-12, at the half.

Crestview extended its lead by a point in the third stanza with an 11-10 run that put the Knights up 30-22 with one quarter left to play.

Crestview then put the game out of reach with a 15-7 run in the final quarter and again earned a berth in district tournament play.

Lindsay Motycka led the Knights with 16 points, while Mackenzie Riggenbach and Emily Bauer added 8 points each for Crestview. St. John’s was led by Jessica Geise, who had 17 points for the Lady Blue Jays.

Ottoville had a tougher time with the Wildcats. The Big Green got off to a good start, outscoring Kalida 15-6 in the first quarter for a nine-point lead.

The Lady Wildcats returned the favor in the second period, though, going on an 18-11 run that brought within a basket, 26-24, at the half.

That margin continued in the third quarter, with both teams scoring 18 points, but Ottoville managed to hit enough of its free throws down the stretch to get the win.

The Big Green had three players in double figures, led by Taylor Mangas’ 16 points. Both Brooke Mangas and Lexie Wannemacher added 11 points for Ottoville. The Lady ‘Cats were led by Jacquelyn Gardner and Brittany Kahle, who both had 17 points in the contest. Kylie Osterhage added 12 points for Kalida.