Knights defeat rival Lancers, alone in 1st

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor

In front of a jam-packed gym at Lincolnview High School, the Crestview Knights took sole possession of first place in the Northwest Conference with a 59-46 win against the Lancers on Friday night.

The Knights (13-3, 5-0 NWC) started each of the four quarters strong against their Van Wert County rivals by racing out to a 9-2 first quarter advantage, followed by a 6-1 scoring run to begin the second period and 7-0 runs to start the third and fourth quarters.

“That’s something you talk about and sometimes you do it, sometimes you don’t and we were fortunate that we were able to do it,” Crestview head coach Jeremy Best said. “I really liked our focus tonight. The look in our eyes, the guys were all together and trusting each other and we hope that continues.”

Crestview’s Derek Stout and Javin Etzler opened the scoring with a bucket each and after Zane Miller’s first basket got the Lancers (10-6, 4-1 NWC) on the board, Derick Dealey drained a trey then Wade Sheets connected for two and a 9-2 lead. Stout went on to score two more baskets in the quarter, and Crestview enjoyed a 17-8 advantage entering the second period.

Sheets opened the second quarter with a bucket, then Etzler knocked down two free throws. Ethan Kemler hit a foul shot for Lincolnview, but Grant Schlaugbaum quickly countered with a jumper to make it 23-9 with 5:34 left in the period. Miller nailed a triple for Lincolnview, but Etzler electrified the crowd with a two handed dunk off a missed shot.

After a Lancer timeout Sheets hit a short jumper, but Miller answered with another trey to make it 27-15. Etzler scored again, then Chayten Overholt drove the lane and beat the halftime buzzer with a layup.

“When you look at all six of our losses, we got down by double figures,” Lincolnview head coach Brett Hammons said. “We’ve been able to battle back but it’s always too little too late, but we know our guys are always going to fight.”

The Knights began the third period with back-to-back buckets by Stout, then Dealey drilled his second trey of the game to put Crestview up 36-17 90 seconds into the quarter. After a Lincolnview timeout, the Lancers outscored the Knights 8-3 during the remainder of the quarter, on the strength of two baskets each by Tristin Miller and Overholt.

With a 39-25 lead to begin the fourth quarter, Sheets hit two baskets and a foul shot then Stout connected from the floor to push Crestview’s lead to 46-25. Kemler scored, then Overholt drained a triple to pull within 16, 46-30. Later in the quarter, Lincolnview trimmed the deficit to 54-44, but Stout three foul shots to end any hope of a Lancer comeback.

“Wade, Derek and Javin are a tough matchup for anyone,” Hammons said. “It’s tough for us to matchup with 6-7, 6-5 and 6-4 when we have 6-2, 5-6 and six foot.”

“Credit their guards, they made more plays than us tonight and they hurt us,” Hammons added. “We tried to switch guys, but by the time we started to play our type of basketball it was too late.”

Sheets and Etzler each scored 18, Dealey scored 11 and Etzler finished with 10 points and nine rebounds for Crestview.

Zane Miller led Lincolnview with 12 points, while Tristin Miller added 10. Overholt and Kemler each finished with nine, with eight of Kemler’s points coming in the fourth quarter.

Best was pleased with how Crestview’s defense held Lincolnview’s potent offense in check for much of the game.

“Our team defense was good and we chased them into screens and they curled into our help,” Best said. “I would have like to have finished the game a little better but I can’t our effort, and give Lincolnview credit too.”

“It’s just a cool night,” Best said of the atmosphere. “They’re passionate about their Lancers and we’re passionate about our Knights, and it’s always a special game.”

While disappointed with the loss, Hammons said he’s confident the Lancers will regroup.

“We need to learn from this game,” Hammons said. “We still have six more regular season games left and we still have a chance for a conference championship, so we need to keep battling.”

Both teams are back in action tonight – Lincolnview will travel to Delphos St. John’s (9-6) while Crestview will head to Hicksville (15-1).

Scoring summary:

Lincolnview 8 9 8 21 – 46
Crestview 17 12 14 20 – 59

Lincolnview: Caden Ringwald 2-2-6; Ethan Kemler 4-1-9; Chayten Overholt 4-0-9; Tristin Miller 4-0-10; Zane Miller 4-2-12

Crestview: Wade Sheets 8-1-18; Javin Etzler 4-2-10; Derek Stout 7-4-18; Grant Schlaugbaum 1-0-2; Derick Dealey 3-3-11

JV: Lincolnview 45-31