SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports
Lincolnview simply had too many weapons and too much depth as the Lancers rolled to a 63-36 win over visiting Upper Scioto Valley Friday night. It’s the first 2-0 start for Lincolnview since the 2020-2021 season.
Lincolnview never trailed in the game. Chayse Overholt drained a pair of early treys to help the Lancers get out to an 8-0 lead. USV managed to whittle the deficit to just two, 11-9, but two free throws and a triple by Max Hammons helped push the advantage to 17-9.
The Lancers led 19-13 to start the second quarter and after USV’s Caiden Lowery scored, Lincolnview rattled off nine unanswered points, all coming from Hammons and Overholt. Overholt scored Lincolnview’s last points of the quarter on a trey with 2:40 left and the Lancers led 31-19 at halftime.
“When he’s making shots he makes our offense even better,” Lincolnview head coach Brett Hammons said of Overholt. “He’s improved defensively and I thought he got after it tonight defensively. He’s just a threat and one thing he did a good job of tonight is when they came out hard at him, he would shot fake, look to go around them and kick it out for some open shots for his teammates. He brings a lot to the table when he’s knocking down shots like he did tonight.”
Overholt finished with a game high 19 points and hit five-of-eight on three point attempts.
A key factor in the first half was rebounding, as the Lancers controlled the board during the first two quarters.
“That was our goal coming into this year,” Hammons stated. “We struggled to rebound the last few years but we have some size. We were able to get physical tonight and rebound the basketball…we limited them to very few second chance opportunities which I thought was huge for us tonight. When we rebound the way we did tonight it allows us to get out in transition and run which we were pretty good at tonight.”
Gavin Evans led Lincolnview with seven rebounds and tallied eight points.
The two teams mostly traded baskets in the third period, but Lincolnview scored the final four points of the quarter on a pair of foul shots by Hammons and a buzzer beating basket by Seth Brant, giving the Lancers a 45-29.
(more…)POSTED: 12/05/25 at 11:12 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
Lincolnview’s Max Hammons (above) fires up a long range jumper during Friday night’s game against Upper Scioto Valley. Below, Zander Coil (3) puts up an off-balance shot against the Rams. The Lancers won the game 63-36 and improved to 2-0 on the season. Photos courtesy of Hanna Young
POSTED: 12/05/25 at 11:12 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
VW independent sports
LIMA — The Bertke brothers were too much for Crestview to handle, as Shawnee defeated the Knights 72-46 on Friday night.
6-6 senior Beckett Bertke finished with 22 points, including 10 in the third quarter, and 6-7 junior Trevick Bertke added 15 points, all but two in the first half. In addition, Luke Marshall scored 10 points in the first half and finished with 12.
The Indians (2-1) led 17-9 after the first quarter, then outscored the Knights 24-13 in the second quarter to take a 41-22 lead into halftime. Trevick and Beckett Bertke each scored seven points in the second stanza and Marshall drilled a pair of treys. Shawnee led 59-43 after three quarters.
Cash Hammons led Crestview with 15 points, including three triples, and Hudson Perrott added 12 points, nine via treys.
Crestview (0-2) will host Parkway today, with the junior varsity contest tipping off at 5 p.m.
POSTED: 12/05/25 at 11:11 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
VW independent sports
Here are scores of area boys high school basketball games played on Friday, December 5.
Allen East 51 Temple Christian 47
Defiance 59 Paulding 51
Fort Jennings 52 Antwerp 47
Hicksville 70 Continental 48
Lima Central Catholic 70 New Knoxville 43
Lima Sr. 90 Start 51
Lincolnview 63 Upper Scioto Valley 36
Miller City 68 Holgate 42
Minster 64 Jackson Center 47
New Bremen 46 Celina 38
Ottawa-Glandorf 40 Bluffton 30
Patrick Henry 66 Ayersville 44
Shawnee 72 Crestview 46
Spencerville 55 Elida 36
St. Marys Memorial 49 Perry 43
Tinora 44 Delta 26
Wayne Trace 48 Bryan 35
POSTED: 12/05/25 at 11:00 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
VW independent sports
KENTON — Van Wert’s girls varsity bowling team defeated Kenton 2569-2212 at Hillcrest Lanes on Thursday. Top bowlers for Van Wert (2-0, 1-0 WBL) were junior Aydreigh Hanicq (226-210-436 series) Junior Makayla Wannemacher (187-220-407). Senior Reagan Horine had a 190-191-381 series.
The junior varsity girls defeated Kenton 1289-1202. Sophomore Bailey Lane led the way with a 159-130-289 series. Senior Hannah Kennedy had a 134 game and freshman Ruby English had a 110 game.
Both boys teams came up short against Kenton.
The varsity lost 2713-2683. Top bowlers for Van Wert were freshman Ryan Hammons (202-179-381), junior Zaide Blue (179-200-379), and freshman Scot Hudson (171-193-364). Senior Tristan Blackmore had a 173-181-354 series, and freshman Braden Miller added in a 152 game.
“The boys team is very young and still developing, but they’ve shown tremendous progress since the first day of practice,” head coach Seth Blackmore said. “While they are currently 0–2 overall and 0–1 in the WBL, the growth and improvement each week are clear, and we’re excited to see them continue to build confidence and experience throughout the season.”
The junior varsity also lost to Kenton. Top bowlers were freshman Ethan Etzler (157-154-311) and freshman Ethan Mendenhall (122-135-257).
POSTED: 12/05/25 at 11:00 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
VW independent sports
KENTON – Thursday’s season opener was a success for the Van Wert wrestling team, as the Cougars traveled to Kenton and jumped out to a 43-0 lead before finishing off the dual meet 66-10. Individual results are as follows:
- 106 – Alianna Estrada (VW) win by forfeit 6-0 VW
- 113 – Owen Bates (VW) win by forfeit 12-0 VW
- 120 – Jillian Sempkowski (VW) win by fall :55 over Ava Grindell (K) 18-0 VW
- 126 – Heath Calvelage (VW) win by forfeit 24-0 VW
- 132 – Ryan Wallace (VW) win by tech fall 16-1 over David Modd (K) 29-0 VW
- 138 – Roman Martin (VW) win by major decision 19-9 over Harrison Brien (K) 33-0 VW
- 144 – Gavin Gonzalez (VW) win by major decision 14-1 over Max Farley (K) 37-0 VW
- 150 – Carter Bledsoe (VW) win by forfeit 43-0 VW
- 157 — Isaiah Mundy (K) win by tech fall 17-2 over Briggs Wallace (VW) 43-5 VW
- 165 — Devon Burker (VW) win by fall :39 over Isaiah Poland (K) 49-5 VW
- 175 — Phillip Burker (VW) win by fall :40 over Bradyn Hildereth (K) 54-5 VW
- 190 – Isaac Blevins (K) win by tech fall 17-2 over Auston Welker (VW) 54-10 VW
- 215 – Max Heuerman (VW) win by fall :39 over Michael Hare (K) 60-10 VW
- 285 – Breese Bollenbacher (VW) win by fall 2:45 over Brison Laubis (K) 66-10 VW
The Cougars are back in action Saturday as the compete in the Jim McCracken Invitational at Sidney High School.
POSTED: 12/05/25 at 6:42 am. FILED UNDER: Sports
VW independent sports
Kenton 44 Van Wert 29
The home opener and WBL opener for Van Wert was a close one in the first half but Kenton pulled away for a 44-29 win on Thursday.
The Cougars trailed 11-8 after one quarter, with five of Van Wert’s points coming from the foul line. Jazz Florence scored the only basket of the period, a three pointer. Kenton (3-1, 1-0 WBL) led 17-15 at halftime, then outscored the hosts 17-8 in the third quarter for a 34-23 lead. Sydney Payne scored seven of Kenton’s third quarter points, then added six more in the final stanza and finished with a game high 14 points. Florence led Van Wert with 11 points, including three triples.
Van Wert (0-3, 0-1 WBL) will return to action at Spencerville on Tuesday.
Crestview 62 Lima Central Catholic 11
LIMA — Crestview overwhelmed Lima Central Catholic in the Northwest Conference opener at Msgr. E.C. Herr Gymnasium, 62-11 on Thursday.
The Lady Knights scored early and often and led 27-4 after the first quarter, with Kaci Gregory scoring 14 points on a pair of treys, two baskets and two foul scouts. Crestview extended the lead to 39-9 at halftime and 49-11 after three quarters. Much of the second half was played with a continuous clock.
Gregory led all scorers with 22 points, Lydia Grace added 10 points and Peyton Hoffman added eight.
Crestview (2-1, 1-0 NWC) will host Fort Recovery on Tuesday.
POSTED: 12/04/25 at 10:05 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
Submitted information
COLUMBUS — Gnadenhutten Indian Valley senior Grady Kinsey has been named 2025 Ohio Mr. Football by the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association. He is the 39th winner of the prestigious award.
Kinsey is only the third Mr. Football award winner from Eastern or Southeastern Ohio, joining Zanesville’s Ronald “Buster” Howe in 1987 and Athens’ Joe Burrow in 2014.
Kinsey totaled 107 points in the statewide voting by OPSMA members to finish just ahead of Shelby senior quarterback Brayden DeVito, who was the runner-up with 96 points. Kinsey and DeVito will be teammates at the Air Force Academy next year.
Kinsey, a 5-foot-8, 205 pound running back and linebacker, ranks first in Ohio High School Athletic Association history with 133 career touchdowns, ranks second in total points (840), is third in career rushing yards (8,607) and third in single-season touchdowns (50). His 3,278 rushing yards in 2024 rank ninth.
Kinsey led his Indian Valley team to the 2024 Division IV state championship and to the Final Four in 2025. Off the field, he ranks third academically of 123 students in his senior class. He has a 4.25 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society.
Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller senior quarterback Matt Ponatoski finished third and Lewis Center Olentangy Orange senior quarterback Levi Davis was fourth. Additional finalists included Akron Archbishop Hoban junior Brayton Feister, Liberty Township Lakota East senior Ryder Hooks, Cleveland Glenville senior Cincere Johnson, and Pickerington Central senior Rocco Williams.
The Ohio Mr. Football Award was given by the Associated Press from 1987-2016. It has been given by the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association since 2017.
The All-Ohio teams will be announced beginning Monday.
POSTED: 12/04/25 at 7:42 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports
Here we are – Week No. 16, the last stop on the OHSAA football playoff trail. Seven games will be played in three days at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton. Among other things, this year’s field features two championship game rematches, a game with two Mr. Ohio Football candidates, one MAC school, and a northwest Ohio school making its third straight title game appearance.
Last week, I went 1-1 with my area state semifinal picks. I correctly picked St. Henry over Columbus Grove, but I was wrong with my pick of Coldwater, as the Cavaliers lost to Hopewell-Loudon. Both games were close. Entering championship weekend, my playoff record is 30-6 (83.3 percent) and my overall season record is 201-42 (82.7 percent). Here are my picks for each state championship game, listed in the order they’ll be played.
Division II
Avon (13-1) vs. Cincinnati Anderson (14-0), Thursday, 7 p.m.
State championship weekend (okay, Thursday really isn’t the weekend) will start with a rematch of last year’s Division II title game won by Avon 20-13.
Avon’s only loss came in Week No. 2, 25-22, to Spruce Creek, Florida. Otherwise, the Eagles really haven’t had a close game all season. In some ways, they appear stronger than least year. Anderson has had a few close calls but the Raptors enter the game 14-0. In fact, it’s the second straight year Anderson has entered the title game undefeated. It’s tough to repeat as champions, especially against a team that was the opponent in the final game last year. Having said that, I kind of want to pick Anderson but I’ll go with the Eagles in the championship opener.
The pick: Avon
Division IV
Glenville (11-3) vs. Shelby (14-0), Friday, 10:30 a.m.
Van Wert fans remember both of these programs, having played the Tarblooders in the regional finals in 2022 and the Whippets in the regional quarterfinals in 2023. At least to me, this is one of the more intriguing matchups. Glenville’s three losses have come to Avon, Lakewood St. Edward and Akron Hoban, all three very high-caliber (and larger) competition. Shelby has a dynamic quarterback in Brayden DeVito, who has over 12,000 career passing yards and over 4,500 career rushing yards. He’s a Mr. Ohio Football candidate, as is Glenville linebacker Cincere Johnson. I know a lot of people think Shelby is the favorite in this game, but I can’t see the Tarblooders losing it.
The pick: Glenville
Division III
Toledo Central Catholic (11-4) vs. Columbus Bishop Watterson (13-0), Friday, 3 p.m.
It’s the third straight year these two teams have met in the Division III title game. Bishop Watterson won it last year and Toledo Central Catholic claimed the title the year before. I’ll go with the Eagles to repeat.
(more…)POSTED: 12/03/25 at 9:20 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
VW independent sports
The Saturday, December 6, boys basketball game between Van Wert and Delphos St. John’s that was postponed by inclement weather has been rescheduled for Tuesday, December 16, at Robert A. Arnzen Gymnasium. The junior varsity game will begin at 6 p.m., followed by the varsity game.
The time has been changed for this Saturday’s Lincolnview at Continental boys basketball game. The junior varsity game will now tip off at 4 p.m., followed by the varsity game.
POSTED: 12/03/25 at 9:17 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
