Hoops preview: Cougars, Lancers, Knights

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor

Boys’ basketball teams at Van Wert and Lincolnview will be in action twice this weekend, while Crestview will face an undefeated opponent on Friday night. Below are brief previews of this weekend’s games.

Van Wert at Wapakoneta, vs. Wayne Trace

The Cougars (1-3, 0-1 WBL) have lost three straight entering Friday night’s Western Buckeye League game at Wapakoneta. Van Wert currently averages 53.5 points per game and allows 58 points per outing.

Owen Treece leads the way with 23.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. Tanner Barnhart averages 6.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game, while Jake Hilleary adds 6.3 points and three rebounds per outing. Clayton Proffitt (5.3 ppg) and Keaton Brown (4.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg) round out the majority of scoring for the Cougars.

Wapakoneta (2-3, 0-1 WBL) has lost two straight. The Redskins average 55.8 points per game and give up 58.8 points per game. Two players average double figures – Reed Merricle (12.4 ppg) and Trey Ware (10.2 ppg). Noah Ambos (8.2 ppg), Braeden Goulet (8.0 ppg) and Garrett Siefring (7.6 ppg) round out a balanced attack.

Wapakoneta has won seven straight in the series, with Van Wert’s last win coming during the 2011-2012 season.

Wayne Trace (3-2) enters the weekend on a three game winning streak, and the Raiders will host Miller City Friday night. Nate Gerber leads the team with 20.4 points per game, while Jace Vining adds 11 per outing. Reid Miller averages 8.2 points per game, Cameron Sinn chips in with eight points per contest, and Alex Reinhart averages 7.2 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.

Both games will air live on WERT 1220AM/104.3FM.

This weekend marks the first of four consecutive double weekends for Van Wert.

Lincolnview vs. Spencerville, vs. Fort Jennings

The Lancers (2-1) will try to shake off Saturday’s loss to Wayne Trace with a pair of home games – Northwest Conference foe Spencerville on Friday and Fort Jennings on Saturday.

Lincolnview enters the weekend averaging 51.3 points while allowing 53 points per game. Creed Jessee is the team’s leading scorer, averaging 13.7 points per game, followed by Aaron Cavinder (9.7 ppg), Landon Price (7.3 ppg), Clayton Leeth (7.0 ppg), Collin Overholt (6.7 ppg) and Jake Bowersock (5.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg).

Spencerville is 1-5 (0-1 NWC), with the lone win coming against Fort Jennings. The Bearcats, who have lost two games by a combined four points, are scoring an average of 48.7 points while giving up 50 points. Dalton Prichard leads the team in scoring with 11.7 points per game, with Josh Hemline right behind at 11.5 points per outing. Eli Harter (8.8 ppg), Jackson Goecke (7.6 pig) and Keegan Goecke (5.0 ppg) round out the scoring.

Lincolnview won last year’s game 47-32.

Fort Jennings (0-6) lost to Crestview on Tuesday and will host Ayersville on Friday. The Musketeers average 43.2 points per game while allowing 60.8 points per contest. Evan Hoersten is the team leader, averaging 14.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, while Zach Schulte averages 11.3. Nick Trentment (6.0 ppg) and Carson Kazee (5.8 ppg) round out the majority of the scoring.

The Lancers won last season’s matchup 64-40.

Crestview vs. Bluffton

Crestview improved to 2-4 with Tuesday night’s 61-36 win over Fort Jennings and now, the Knights will face Bluffton (4-0, 1-0 NWC) on Friday.

Crestview is averaging 48.7 points per game and allows 49.2 points per game. In four games, Kalen Etzler is averaging 17.8 points per game, while Carson Kreischer averages 11 points per contest.

As a team, Bluffton averages an impressive 69 points per game while allowing opponents to score an average of 44.8 points. Luke Denecker averages a team high 21 points per game, while Mason Soper put up 18 points per game. Jared Piercefield contributes 9.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game and Baylor Garmatter chips in with 6.3 points per game. The Pirates are out-rebounding opponents by an average of 36-25.

Bluffton won last year’s game 43-41. It was the only loss of the season for the Knights, who went on to win the Division IV state championship.

Friday’s Bluffton at Crestview game will air live on 99.7FM WKSD.