Knights, Wildcats win district semi games

DAVE MOSIER/independent sports

ELIDA — It took an overtime for Crestview to get past Columbus Grove during the two Northwest Conference rivals’ regular season game. This time, the Knights blew past Grove 65-34 to waltz into the Division IV district finals game at the Elida Fieldhouse on Tuesday.

The Knights set the tone early, outscoring Columbus Grove 22-6 in the first quarter – a lead they would never lose. Both teams scored 14 points in the second quarter and Crestview maintained its 16-point lead, 36-20, at the half.

The Knights added to their lead in the third quarter on a 16-9 run that put them up by 24 points, 52-29, at the three-quarter mark. Crestview closed out the game by outscoring the Bulldogs 13-5 in the final quarter.

The Knights had four players in double figures, led by Damian Helm’s 14 points. Connor Lautzenheiser and Tyson Bolenbaugh both added 12 points, while Isiah Simerman scored 11 points for Crestview. Columbus Grove had two players in double figures, as Jace Darbyshire and Will Vorhees each scored 12 points for the Bulldogs.

Crestview shot nearly 50 percent from three-point range, hitting 7 of 15 shots from behind the arc (46.7 percent). The Knights made 18 of 33 two-point attempts (54.5 percent) for a combined field goal shooting percentage of 52.1 (25 of 48).

Columbus Grove made 4 of 13 three-point attempts (30.8 percent) and was 9 of 25 from two-point range (36 percent) for a combined field goal ratio of 34.2 percent (13 of 38).

Crestview was 8 of 13 from the free throw line (61.5 percent), while the Bulldogs made 3 of 7 free throw attempts (42.9 percent).

The Knights also brought down more rebounds, 29-22, and had fewer turnovers, 10-18, than Columbus Grove.

In the other Division IV semifinal at Elida, Miller City edged Delphos St. John’s 39-36 to earn a district finals berth.

The Wildcats led 6-3 at the end of the first quarter, and were up by five, 15-10, at the half. The Blue Jays then went on a 13-8 run in the third quarter to tie the game at 23-all heading into the final quarter.

The fourth quarter was nip and tuck all the way, combined with a series of miscues and missed shots, but Miller City prevailed for the victory.

The Wildcats were led by Adam Drummmelsmith’s 14 points, while Adam Niese added 10 points for Miller City. St. John’s had no players in double figures, but Andy Grothouse had 9 points to lead the ‘Jays.

Neither team had an impressive shooting percentage. Miller City was 13 of 43 from the field (30.2 percent), while the Blue Jays made 14 of 49 field goal attempts (28.6 percent).

St. John’s made half of its free throws (4 of 8), while the Wildcats were 9 of 13 from the line (69.2 percent).

The rebounding edge went to Miller City, who had 35 boards to 32 for the ‘Jays, while St. John’s had fewer turnover, 13-10, than the Wildcats.

Crestview will now play Miller City Friday for the Division IV Elida District title.