VW Cougars win sectional championship

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor

FINDLAY – For the second time in three nights, the Van Wert Cougars took care of business at the Division II sectional at Findlay High School.

The Cougars defeated Maumee 58-40 in Wednesday’s semifinal, then all five starters finished in double figures as Van Wert ousted Western Buckeye League foe Bath 72-61 to claim a sectional title on Friday night.

“I really thought our team was a tournament type team,” Van Wert head coach Mark Bagley said. “Tonight, with five guys in double figures, that was a huge testament to our balance right now, and we’re getting more balanced.”

Van Wert led 13-11 after one quarter and the Cougars pushed their lead to 18-13 in the second quarter before the Wildcats went on an 8-0 run to seize a 21-18 lead. However, the Cougars got back on track with 10 unanswered points, including two triples by Jacoby Kelly to lead 28-21 at halftime.

Van Wert kept the ball rolling in the third quarter with an early 11-2 run, including treys from Kelly, Drew Bagley and Owen Treece that gave the Cougars a 39-23 advantage.

Van Wert led 46-35 to begin the fourth quarter, and both teams scored 26 points in the period. The Wildcats managed to trim the deficit to seven, 68-61 with under a minute left, but Kelly iced the game with four foul shots.

Kelly led Van Wert with 18 points, while Nate Place scored 15. Drew Bagley finished with 14, Blake Henry 12 and Owen Treece 11. Jonathan Lee accounted for two points off the bench.

Chad Frey led Bath with 23 points, while Harrison Gough had 17.

“It was fun to watch,” Bagley said of his team winning the sectional championship and cutting down the nets. “They were like kids in a candy store.”

The win means Van Wert (13-10) will play undefeated A.P. poll champion Wauseon (23-0) in the district semifinals at Ohio Northern University at 8 p.m. on Wednesday night. The Indians defeated Celina 51-19 on Friday night.

“There’s no greater thrill than to prepare for the best,” Bagley said of Wednesday’s challenge. “As a coach you want to play the best, and we’re going to play the best on Wednesday night. We’re excited about that.”