The Van Wert County Courthouse

Thursday, Mar. 28, 2024

Knights beat LCC for 4th straight win

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor

CONVOY — Crestview used solid defense and a balanced offensive attack to pull away from Lima Central Catholic 52-38 at Ray Etzler Gymnasium on Friday night.

With Rossy Moore scoring seven points, the Thunderbirds led 14-12 after the first quarter, but Crestview’s Nathan Lichtle came off the bench to score five of his eight points in the second period, while Kalen Etzler added four to lead the Knights to a 27-22 halftime lead.

Crestview’s Nathan Lichtle puts up a three point shot during Friday’s game against Lima Central Catholic. Wyatt Richardson/Van Wert independent

“We got off to a shaky start offensively but overall our defense kept us in it until we could settle down offensively,” Crestview head coach Doug Etzler explained. “Defensively we did a good job of keeping the ball out of the paint and also helping each other on screening situations.”

The third quarter was a low scoring one, with Etzler scoring four of Crestview’s six points, while Lima Central Catholic was held to just two points on a pair of free throws by Moore. The Thunderbirds also suffered a blow when Biggz Johnson picked up his third foul.

“It helped us that Biggz picked up his third foul,” Etzler said. “He was a handful and with him on the bench I think we became very confident defensively.”

12 of Crestview’s 19 fourth quarter points came from the foul line, including five by Kaden Short and two each by Etzler and Gavin Etzler. Lichtle also hit a trey in the period.

Kalen Etzler led the Knights with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Short finished with 10 points. Lichtle and Brody Brecht each chipped in with eight and Carson Kreischer scored seven. As a team, Crestview was 16-37 (43 percent) from the floor and 15-21 from the free throw line, with 24 rebounds.

Moore led all scorers with 16, while Johnson added 13. The Thunderbirds were 13-37 from the floor, including just 1-9 from three point range, and 11-19 from the foul line, while pulling down 20 rebounds.

Since losing to Delphos Jefferson on January 17, the Knights (8-9) have won four straight heading into tonight’s game at Hicksville.

“Since Jefferson we have done a much better job offensively of handling physical defenses and running our sets well to get good shots,” Etzler said. “Our guys are gaining confidence and really trusting each other. Different guys are stepping up each night.”

Scoring summary

Crestview 12 15 6 19 – 52
Lima CC 14 8 2 14 – 38

Crestview: Kalen Etzler 4-5-14; Kaden Short 2-5-10; Gavin Etzler 1-2-5; Brody Brecht 3-2-8; Carson Kreischer 3-1-7; Nathan Lichtle 3-0-8

Lima Central Catholic: Biggz Johnson 4-5-13; Rossy Moore 5-5-16; Nathan Stolly 1-0-2; Shaun Thomas 1-0-2; Michael Riepenhoff 2-1-5

JV: Crestview 45-40

POSTED: 01/31/20 at 11:54 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports