Wayne Trace outduels Crestview 47-32

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor

CONVOY — Both teams struggled from the floor, but Wayne Trace made up for it at the foul line in a 47-32 win over non-conference rival Crestview at Ray Etzler Gymnasium on Saturday night.

While hitting just 29 percent (12-42) of their shots, the Raiders were 19-22 (86 percent) from the foul line, including 13-16 in the second half.

“I’ll take that stat every night,” Wayne Trace head coach Jim Linder said of his team’s free throw shooting. “Things weren’t going real well – we had to grind it out, got to the hole and got to the foul line. When we got there we knocked them down and that’s where we won the game.”

Meanwhile, Crestview was 4-7 from the free throw line. The Knights also shot 29 percent from the floor (14-38), but were unable to convert from beyond the three point line and committed 23 turnovers, with 16 of those coming in the first half.

“Wayne Trace did a good job of forcing us into too many turnovers and we shot 0-12 from three point range,” Crestview head coach Doug Etzler said.

Reid Miller scored eight points in the first quarter and the Raiders led 14-8 at the end of the period. The 5-10 senior guard added four more in the second quarter and Jace Vining added five to boost Wayne Trace to a 28-13 halftime lead. All five of Crestview’s second quarter points came from Kalen Etzler, who finished with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

“To me the difference tonight was Reid Miller,” Linder said. “He put us on his shoulders and got to the hole, hit some free throws, took control of the game and played like a senior point guard. He was real good tonight.”

Miller led Wayne Trace with 17 points and seven rebounds while Vining added 10 points.

Eight of Crestview’s nine third quarter points came from the floor while five of Wayne Trace’s points in the period came from the free throw line, including two each by Trevor Speice and Nate Gerber.

Carson Kreischer scored six of his team high 12 points in the fourth quarter, while JJ Ward and Carson Hunter each added a bucket for the Knights (9-11) in the final period.

“I’m proud of the effort we gave tonight but we need to play a more sound game to get in the win column,” Etzler said.

Both teams will return to action at home on Friday. Wayne Trace (15-5) will host Hicksville while Crestview will entertain Paulding.

Scoring summary

Crestview 8 5 9 10 – 32
Wayne Trace 14 14 7 12 – 47

Crestview: Kalen Etzler 3-4-10; Kaden Short 1-0-2; Carson Hunter 1-0-2; Carson Kreischer 6-0-12; JJ Ward 2-0-4; Nathan Litchle 1-0-2

Wayne Trace: Cameron Sinn 1-4-6; Reid Miller 6-3-17; Trevor Speice 0-2-2; Nate Gerber 1-3-5; Cale Crosby 0-2-2; Jace Vining 2-5-10; Alex Reinhart 2-0-5

JV: Wayne Trace 56-34