Kalida boys shut down Van Wert 60-29

Van Wert independent sports

KALIDA — Van Wert struggled offensively and defensively in a 60-29 at Kalida on Tuesday night.

The Cougars found themselves down 16-0 at the end of the first quarter, with Gabe Hovest and Luke Erhart accounting for 14 Kalida’s points. Van Wert’s first points came on a pair of Owen Treece free throws early in the second period, and the team’s first basket was scored by Clayton Proffitt nearly halfway into the second stanza.

Kalida led 28-7 at halftime, then the Wildcats expanded the advantage to 43-20 at the end of the third quarter. Much of the fourth quarter was played by reserves from both teams.

Treece led Van Wert with 12 points, with eight of those coming in the third quarter. Clayton Proffitt finished with eight, including five of Van Wert’s seven second quarter points.

The Cougars were 11 of 32 (34 percent) from the floor and 3 of 7 from the foul line with 14 rebounds and 23 turnovers, including eight in the first quarter. Kalida was 22 of 42 (52 percent) from the field and a perfect 8 of 8 from the free throw line, 22 rebounds and only seven turnovers.

Kalida (8-6) had three players in double figures, led by Hovest’s 20. Evan Roebke and Erhart finished with 13 and 12 respectively.

Van Wert (3-9) will play twice at home this weekend – against No. 5 Shawnee on Friday and against Coldwater on Saturday.