The Van Wert County Courthouse

Friday, Mar. 29, 2024

Knights use treys to defeat Paulding

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor

CONVOY — Junior Kalen Etzler scored 21 points and freshman Gavin Etzler added 17 to help Crestview shake off a pair of losses with a convincing 65-51 Northwest Conference win over Paulding on Friday.

Last weekend, the Knights (10-11, 3-4 NWC) struggled from beyond the three point arc, going just 1-25 in losses to Lincolnview and Wayne Trace, but that changed on Friday night.

Kalen Etzler slams in two of his 21 points during Friday’s win against Paulding. Wyatt Richardson/Van Wert independent

In the first quarter alone, the younger Etzler hit three treys and the Ohio State commit added two of his own, then in the second quarter, Kaden Short and Nathan Lichtle each hit one, then Gavin Etzler drilled two more in the third quarter. Kalen Etzler and Lichtle each hit another in the fourth and JJ Ward added a pair in the final period. As a team, the Knights converted 13 treys.

“We struggled last week from three point range, so I’m proud of the way we bounced back tonight and continued to shoot it with confidence,” Crestview head coach Doug Etzler said.

The Knights led 19-12 at the end of the first quarter and 31-25 at halftime, with Blake McGarvey accounting for 10 of Paulding’s 13 second quarter points. McGarvey went on to finish with 18 points.

Peyton Beckman, who was held scoreless in the first half, scored 10 of Paulding’s 13 third quarter points, but the Panthers (6-13, 2-5 NWC) trailed 47-37 entering the fourth quarter. The Knights enjoyed an 18-14 fourth quarter scoring advantage.

“I was proud of the way we moved the basketball and got good shots tonight,” Etzler said. “We had several guys step up and hit shots.”

Paulding will host Bryan this afternoon ( 3 p.m. junior varsity start) and Crestview will finish the regular season at home on Friday against Spencerville.

Scoring summary

Crestview 19 12 16 18 – 65
Paulding 12 13 12 14 – 51

Crestview: Kalen Etzler 9-0-21; Kaden Short 1-0-3; Gavin Etzler 5-2-17; Brody Brecht 2-0-4; Carson Kreischer 3-2-8; JJ Ward 2-0-6; Nathan Lichtle 2-0-6

Paulding: Blake McGarvey 7-1-18; Caleb Manz 2-0-4; Hunter Kauser 4-0-11; Seth Dysinger 1-0-3; Peyton Beckman 4-5-15

JV: Crestview 55-46

POSTED: 02/15/20 at 12:18 am. FILED UNDER: Sports