Lancers shut down Delphos St. John’s

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor

DELPHOS — Lincolnview head coach Brett Hammons wanted better defense from his team and he got it.

Entering the weekend, the Lancers (9-8) had given up an average 57 points per game, but allowed just 40 against Delphos Jefferson on Friday, then clamped down again on Saturday, holding Delphos St. John’s to just 25 percent shooting and 17 points per half in a 40-34 win against the Blue Jays.

“I think our kids battled on both ends of the floor,” Hammons said. “I’m proud of the effort they gave.”

After trailing 17-12 at halftime, Lincolnview fell behind 26-20 in the third quarter, but scored the final five points of the period on a free throw from Jake Bowersock and a pair of buckets by Creed Jessee, and trailed by just one, 26-25 entering the fourth quarter.

A bucket by Bowersock early in the final period gave the Lancers a 27-26 lead and from there, Lincolnview outscored the Blue Jays 13-8, including two key triples by Jessee, who finished with a game high 17 points.

“We did a good job of making some big shots and free throws down the stretch,” Hammons said. “I thought we did a good job of contesting them and making things difficult for them.”

Bowersock tallied eight points and six rebounds, while Aaron Cavinder added six points. The Lancers were 14-43 (33 percent) from the floor and 9-13 from the free throw line with 24 rebounds and just six turnovers.

Delphos St. John’s (11-5) was led by Brady Parrish, who scored six in the first quarter and finished with 14 points and seven rebounds and Aiden Rode, who netted 11 points. The Blue Jays connected on 13-51 shots, including 3-29 from three point range, with Rode and 5-7 foul shots. As a team, Delphos St. John’s pulled down 26 rebounds, with half of those on the offense end and eight turnovers.

Delphos St. John’s will host Van Wert on Tuesday, then will play at Parkway on Friday. Lincolnview will host county rival Crestview on Friday and Coldwater on Saturday.

Scoring summary

St. John’s 10 7 9 8 – 34
Lincolnview 7 5 13 15 – 40

Delphos St. John’s: Isaac Fairchild 2-2-8; Aiden Rode 4-0-11; 7-0-14; Brady Grothaus 0-1-1

Lincolnview: Clayton Leeth 2-1-5; Aaron Cavinder 2-2-6; Collin Overholt 0-2-2; Daegan Hatfield 1-0-2; Jake Bowersock 2-4-8; Creed Jessee 7-0-17