Cougars down Celina for sectional win

DAVE MOSIER/independent sports

LIMA — The Van Wert Cougar boys had an easier time with Celina than they did during the regular season, handing the Bulldogs a 65-51 setback to advance in Division II sectional tournament action at Lima Senior High School. The win was much more satisfying than the first time the two teams meet in Western Buckeye League action earlier this year when the Cougars escaped with a two-point win, 63-61, at Celina.

Celina stayed with the Cougars for a quarter, trailing by only a point, 11-10, at the end of the first period. However, Van Wert then went on a 22-8 run in the second quarter to lead by 15, 33-18, at the half.

The Bulldogs came out a bit scrappier in the third stanza, outscoring Van Wert 19-15 to trail by 11, 48-37, heading into the final quarter of action, but the Cougars quashed the mini-rally with a 17-14 fourth quarter to take away the win.

Van Wert had three players in double figures, led by Jacob Myers’ 25 points. AJ Smith scored 17 points for the Cougars, while Joe Moonshower added 10 points for Van Wert. For the Bulldogs, Scott Moeder led the offense with 15 points, while Arik Fickert scored 11 points for Celina, which ends its season at 9-12.

The Cougars, not a terribly tall team, nevertheless dominated Celina on the boards, bringing down 28 rebounds to 17 for the Bulldogs. Van Wert had 15 turnovers to 13 for the ‘Dogs.

The Cougars shot well from the field, hitting 5 of 12 three-point attempts (41.7 percent), while making 21 of 37 from two-point range (56.8 percent) for a total field goal percentage of 53.1. Van Wert also did very well at the free-throw line, knocking down 11 of 13 free throws (84.6 percent).

The Bulldogs were 2 of 10 from three-point range (20 percent) and made 16 of 35 two-point attempts (45.7 percent) for a total field goal percentage of 40. Celina made 13 of 19 free-throw attempts (68.4 percent).

The Cougars (15-6) will next play the Lima Bath Wildcats in the Division II sectional championship game at Lima Senior this Friday. The game, the second of the night, will start at approximately 8 p.m.

Tickets are on sale today at Derry Drugs, and can be purchased while the store is open.

Tickets will also be sold in the VWHS Athletic Director’s Office from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on Friday.