Hoops preview: Cougars, Lancers, Knights

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor

With the holidays in the rear view mirror, things are back to normal in terms of basketball practices and games. Van Wert, Crestview and Lincolnview each have two challenging games on the schedule this weekend. Below are brief previews of the games.

Van Wert vs. St. Marys Memorial, Marion Local

The Cougars (2-6, 1-1 WBL) have been off since December 28, and they’ll jump back into things against much improved St. Marys Memorial on Friday and a Marion Local team that got a late start because of the football team’s success.

Entering the weekend, Van Wert is averaging 54 points and giving up 59 points per game. Owen Treece remains the team leader in points scored, averaging 23 per game to go along with four rebounds and four assists per game. Jake Hilleary averages 6.6 points nearly six rebounds per game, while Keaton Brown is averaging 5.8 points and four assists per game. Clayton Proffitt averages 5.5 points per game.

The Roughriders (7-2, 1-1 WBL) are led by 6-6 senior Ethan Steger, who averages 15.9 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, followed by Van Wert transfer LeTrey Williams, who averages 9.6 points per game. Jadin Davis is the team’s third leading scorer at 9.1 points per game. 6-8 Freshman Austin Parks averages four points and nearly six rebounds.

As a team, St. Marys Memorial averages 51 points per game and allows just 38 points per contest.

Van Wert won last year’s game 44-43.

Marion Local (2-6) didn’t start the season until December 20 and began 0-4. The Flyers, who will host Parkway on Friday, average 39.5 points and give up 46.5 points per game. Alex Eyink and Bruce Moeller are the leading scorers, averaging 8.6 points per game, while Matt Everman puts in 5.1 points per game.

Opponents have outrebounded Marion Local 24-18.

Last year, the Cougars topped the Flyers 69-61.

Both of this weekend’s games will air on WERT 1220AM/104.3FM.

Lincolnview at Columbus Grove, at Miller City

Another challenging weekend is in store for the Lancers, who have lost three of the last four games.

Entering Friday night’s game at unbeaten and state ranked Columbus Grove, Lincolnview (5-4, 1-0 NWC) is averaging 51 points and allowing 53 points per game. Creed Jessee leads the Lancers with 13.2 points per game, while Collin Overholt is averaging 8.2 points per game. Aaron Cavinder adds 7.8 points per game, followed by Landon Price (6.3 ppg).

The Bulldogs (8-0, 2-0 NWC, No. 12 with Minster in Division IV) have outscored opponents by an average of 26 points per game, 68-42.
Blake Reynolds, who poured in 30 points against Van Wert last Saturday, is averaging 19.1 points and nine rebounds per game, while Tayt Birnesser averages 13.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per outing. Gabe Clement also averages double digits, 10 points per game.

Columbus Grove won last year’s game 55-45.

Miller City enters the weekend 5-4 and will host Continental on Friday night. The Wildcats currently average 49.7 points per game and allow 48 points per game. Individual statistics were not available.

Lincolnview won last year’s game 61-48.

Crestview at Allen East, vs. Arlington

The Knights (3-7, 0-2 NWC) snapped a three game losing streak with Saturday’s 52-48 win over Tinora.

Friday night will mark the halfway point of the regular season and Crestview enters the weekend scoring an average of 44.8 points per game while giving up 50.5 points per game. Individual statistics were not available.

Allen East (4-7, 0-2 NWC) opened the season 3-1, then lost six straight before last Saturday’s 80-36 win over Temple Christian. The Mustangs average 52.6 points and allow 52.3 points per game.

Bradden Crumrine is the team’s leading scorer, averaging 9.5 points per game, followed by Mason Dotson (8.7 ppg) and Logan McCluer (8.1 ppg). Cole Fletcher leads the Mustangs in rebounding with six per game.

The Knights won last year’s game 50-38.

Arlington opened the season 5-0 and is currently 8-3. The Red Devils, who will play at Liberty-Benton on Friday, average 59.6 points per game, while giving up 48.7 points per contest.

Jaret Vermillion averages 18.6 points and 5.3 assists and 2.8 steals per game while Zavier Thornton contributes 12.3 points per outing.

Crestview beat Arlington 57-48 last season.