Knights, Cougs win Tip-Off Tourney tilts

DAVE MOSIER/independent sports

The Crestview and Van Wert girls will meet in the championship game of the McDonald’s Tip Off Classic on Saturday after both the Lady Knights and Lady Cougars won preliminary games Thursday night.

Crestview had perhaps the tougher task in beating three-time champion Ottoville 45-39 in the first game of the night.

It didn’t look like this was going to be the Knights’ year to do that, either, as Ottoville jumped out to a 15-8 first-quarter lead and extended the lead to nine points, 28-19, at the half. But Crestview’s defense shut down the Big Green in the third quarter and the Knights outscored Ottoville 14-3 to take a two-point lead, 33-31, heading into the final period of play.

Crestview kept its composure and hit its free throws down the stretch to earn the win and a chance at the Tip Off title after a disappointing 34-30 loss to Ottoville last year.

Lindsey Motycka led the Knights with 16 points, while Emily Bauer added 15 counters for Crestview.

The Lady Cougars had an easier time of it with Wayne Trace, but it wasn’t a walkover, by any means.

Van Wert led by just a point, 11-10, at the end of the first quarter, and was up by just four, 25-21, at the half.

Like the Knights, though, the Cougars opened it up a bit in the third quarter, outscoring Wayne Trace 16-12 to lead by eight, 41-33, at the end of the quarter.

Van Wert closed it out in the final stanza, outscoring the Lady Raiders 18-17 for the win.

The Cougars had three players in double figures, led by Erin Morrow’s 16 points. Claire Butler added 13 points for Van Wert, while Alexis Dowdy scored 12 points for the Lady Cougars.

Wayne Trace was led by Erin Mohr, who scored 22 points in the game to lead all scorers. Brenda Feasby added 11 points, and Shayna Temple scored 10 points for the Lady Raiders.

Wayne Trace and Ottoville will square off in the consolation game on Saturday, while Crestview and the Cougars go head to head for the Tip Off title in the nightcap.