LCC dominates Cougar boys for win

DAVE MOSIER/independent sports

LIMA — The Van Wert Cougars found out why Lima Central Catholic was undefeated, as Van Wert fell 72-40 to the Thunderbirds in a non-conference game played Saturday in Lima.

LCC got out of the box quickly and had a 13-point lead, 20-7, at the end of the first quarter. The score was 41-19 at the half, while the T-Birds were cruising by the end of the third quarter, up by 29 points, 57-28.

Van Wert had its best quarter against LCC’s reserves, but still were outscored 15-12 in the quarter.

The Cougars were led by Ryan McCracken, who was the only Van Wert player in double figures, with 11 points. No other Cougar scored more than six points.

LCC had four players in double figures, led by Tre Cobb’s 17 points. Nick Taflinger and Dantez Walton each scored 13 points for the T-Birds, while Josh Dixon added 11 points for LCC.

Van Wert was 16 of 45 from the field (35.6 percent) including 5 of 19 from three-point range (26.3 percent) while the Thunderbirds made 28 of 52 shots (53.8 percent). The Cougars made just 3 of 10 free throws (30 percent), while LCC was 9 of 11 (81.2 percent) from the line.

Van Wert did have the edge in rebounding, bringing down 33 caroms to 27 for the T-Birds, but also had more than twice as many turnovers as LCC, 11-5.

Van Wert is now 1-7 overall on the season, while LCC is 9-0

The Cougar junior varsity team started the night off right, downing LCC by a basket, 38-36. Bryce Klausing led the Van Wert JVs with 12 points, while Blake Henry added 10 points. LCC’s JVs also had two players in double figures, with Connor Bowker and Mark Janowsky both scoring 11 points for the T-Birds.

The Cougars will play at home this weekend, hosting Shawnee on Friday and Marion Local on Saturday.