Cougar boys down Kalida Wildcats

DAVE MOSIER/independent sports

The Van Wert Cougar boys’ basketball team had another positive outing on Tuesday as they defeated the Kalida Wildcats 55-46 in a non-conference game played in the Cougars’ Den.

The Cougars had three players, and nearly four, in double figures in the game, led by a break-out game from 6-3 junior Josh Braun, who scored 15 points for Van Wert. Drew Myers added 14 points for the Cougars, while Connor Holliday scored 10 points and Colin Smith 9 points for Van Wert.

Kalida was led by Devin Kortokrax’s 13 points, while Grant Unferverth added 11 points for the Wildcats.

The Cougars shot well from the field, knocking down 20 of 38 field-goal attempts (52.6 percent), including 3 of 11 from three-point range (27.3 percent). Kalida was 17 of 44 from the field (38.6 percent), while making 5 of 19 three-point attempts (26.3 percent).

Van Wert was 12 of 17 from the free-throw line (70.6 percent), while the Wildcats hit a perfect 7-of-7 from the line (100 percent).

The two teams tied at 11-all at the end of the first quarter, while the Cougars outscored Kalida 12-9 in the second stanza to lead by three points, 23-20, at the half. Van Wert had its best quarter following the break, going on a 21-15 run to lead by nine points, 44-35, heading into the final period of play. Both teams again scored 11 points in the final quarter to bookend the game.

Van Wert led in rebounding, 22-17, while also having two fewer turnovers, 7-9, in a well-played game overall.

With the win, the Cougars are now 5-8 overall on the season, while Kalida falls to 9-5 on the year.

The Van Wert junior varsity team also won, 40-37, and is now 7-6 on the season. Thane Cowan scored 9 points to lead a balanced Cougar offense, while two Kalida JV players were in double figures, lead by Noah Lambert’s 11 points. Collin Nartker added 10 for the Wildcat JVs.