Redskins upset Cougars in WBL contest

DAVE MOSIER/independent sports

WAPAKONETA — For minutes at a time, the Van Wert Cougars’ shooting was nearly as cold as it was outside the gymnasium at Wapakoneta. Van Wert’s icy offense, especially from three-point range, was the difference in the game as Wapak defeated the Cougars 53-46 in a Western Buckeye League matchup played Friday.

Van Wert (9-11, 2-6 WBL) started off well, taking a seven-point lead, 16-9, after a period of play. But the Redskins (5-12, 2-6 WBL) rallied in the second quarter, outscoring Van Wert 18-8 to take the lead by three, 27-24, at the half.

The Cougars shaved a point off the lead, getting to within a basket, 38-36, at the end of three quarters of play, but Wapak outlasted Van Wert in the final period, outscoring the Cougars 15-10 to get the upset.

Connor Holliday led Van Wert with 13 points, while Michael Smelser scored 10 points and Matt Bidlack added 9 points for the Cougars. Kodi Morgan led Wapakoneta with 17 points, including four treys, while Adam Henderson scored 15 points and Corey Crawford had 11 points on the night.

The Redskins also outrebounded Van Wert, 26-21, while the Cougars had fewer turnovers, 9-12.

Van Wert was 17 of 57 from the field (29.8 percent), including just six treys out of 27 attempts (22.2 percent). The Cougars made 6 of 10 free throw attempts (60 percent).

In contrast to Van Wert, Wapak was red hot from the field, canning 21 of 34 field goal attempts (61.8 percent), including 5 of 9 from three-point range (55.6 percent). The Redskins made only 6 of 15 from the line (40 percent).

The Van Wert junior varsity team also lost, 44-32, to the Redskin JVs. Colin Smith led the JV Cougars with 13 points, while Cam Lauck was Wapak’s high scorer with 12.

Van Wert will host Delphos Jefferson this evening in a non-conference game, and finish out the regular and league seasons next Friday at home against St. Marys.