Van Wert independent sports
Bath 46 Van Wert 35
A 19-7 second quarter scoring advantage propelled Bath to a 46-35 victory over Van Wert in Thursday’s Western Buckeye League opener for both teams.
The Wildkittens led 9-6 after the first quarter, with all nine of Bath’s points coming from Claire Foust. Kyra Welch and Sofi Houg each hit a triple in the period for the Cougars.
Bath’s Ava Craddock took over in the second quarter, scoring 14 of her game-high 25 points, helping the visitors to a commanding 28-13 halftime lead. Craddock added eight more in the third quarter and Bath enjoyed a 38-23 lead entering the final stanza.
Houg led Van Wert with 13 points while Welch added 11.
Bath (3-1, 1-0 WBL) was 11-of-17 from the foul line while the Cougars shot just two free throws and converted one.
Van Wert (1-2, 0-1 WBL) will return to action Tuesday at Spencerville.
Lincolnview 68 Ada 39
The Lancers jumped out to a 24-8 first quarter lead and cruised to a 68-39 win over visiting Ada in the Northwest Conference opener on Thursday.
Lincolnview, now 4-0 (1-0 NWC) led 41-21 at halftime and 59-32 entering the fourth quarter.
Makayla Jackman had a double-double with 19 points, including a 5-for-5 performance from beyond the three point arc and 10 assists. Kendall Bollenbacher had 15 points and Zadria King finished with 13 points. Carsyn Looser had a game-high nine rebounds as Lincolnview held a 32-15 advantage on the boards.
Ada’s Courtney Sumner led all scorers with 23 points.
Lincolnview will host New Bremen on Monday.
Crestview 59 Leipsic 42
LEIPSIC — Four Lady Knights reached double figures and Crestview improved to 4-0 (1-0 NWC) with a 59-42 win at Leipsic on Thursday.
Laci McCoy led all scorers with 20 points while Myia Etzler had 14 points and 13 rebounds. Callie Gregory and Ellie Kline each had 10 in the win, and Kline dished out six assists. Ava Henry led Leipsic with 14 points.
Crestview led 16-10 after the first quarter, 33-22 at halftime and 45-29 after three quarters.
The Lady Knights will play at Delphos St. John’s on Saturday.
POSTED: 12/03/21 at 4:50 am. FILED UNDER: Sports
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
It seems like the season went by in the blink of an eye, but here we are – OHSAA championship week.
As expected, some familiar names will be competing for state championships at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, but some newcomers hope to leave their mark.
I was 4-0 picking semifinal games last week, which takes my postseason record to 42-12. This week I’m picking all seven state championship games in the order they’ll be played.
Division II State Championship – Thursday, 7 p.m.
Cincinnati Winton Woods (12-3) vs. No. 8 Akron Archbishop Hoban (11-3)
Hoban is the defending state champion and probably should be considered the favorite in this one.
Both teams have played impressive schedules and both have lost to some heavy hitters. This game feels like it should be a good one, perhaps one that ends up with a touchdown margin or less.
I do believe Hoban is more battle tested but this really is a game that could go either way.
The pick: Akron Hoban
Division IV State Championship – Friday, 10:30 a.m.
No. 4 Clarksville Clinton-Massie (13-1) vs. Youngstown Ursuline (11-3)
I’ll just come out and say it. I’d like to see Clinton-Massie win this one. Of course I’d rather see Van Wert playing for a second consecutive state title but since the Cougars aren’t there, I’m rooting for the Falcons and their old-school wishbone offense.
Having said that, Clinton-Massie has had to scrap by in their last two playoff games while Ursuline has pretty much rolled by each playoff opponent. The closest game has been a four point win over Glenville and the Fighting Irish rallied to beat Port Clinton by 17 last week.
(more…)POSTED: 12/02/21 at 4:45 am. FILED UNDER: Sports
Van Wert independent sports
CELINA — Celina swept Lincolnview in non-conference bowling action at Plaza Lanes on Tuesday.
Celina won the girls’ match 1454-1154, and the Bulldogs took the boys’ match 1684-1269.
Zoey Tracy led the Lady Lancers with a 164-144-310 series, followed by Katrina Behrens (103-158-261), Leigha Benderle (86-124-210), Jenna Corzine (93-116-209) and Melody Gorman (83-83-166).
Celina’s Amy Hartings led all bowlers with a 180-157-337.
James Reinhart led the Lancers with a 167-153-320 series, followed by Preston Bugh (148-106-254), Evan Bowersock (141-108-249), Alex Wyatt (143-106-249) and Jase Delgado (124-73-197).
Britt Hole of Celina bowled a match high 188-160-368.
POSTED: 12/02/21 at 4:45 am. FILED UNDER: Sports
Van Wert independent sports
Lincolnview and Crestview are each 3-0 after victories on Tuesday night, while Van Wert fell to 1-1 with a road loss in Mercer County.
Lincolnview 62 Paulding 55
Behind 25 points and nine rebounds by Kendall Bollenbacher, Lincolnview improved to 3-0 with a 62-55 win over former NWC foe Paulding on Tuesday night.
Bollenbacher was 8-of-14 from the floor, including 3-of-5 from three point range and connected of 6-of-8 foul shots. Two other Lady Lancers reached double figures, as Carsyn Looser and Zadria King each finished with 12 points and each pulled down eight rebounds. Makayla Jackman added six points and a game-high seven assists.
Lincolnview led 15-9 after the first quarter, 31-24 at halftime and 49-41 after three quarters and the Lady Lancers won the turnover battle, forcing 22 while committing 13.
Janae Pease led Paulding with 18 points and Audrey Giesgie finished with 13 points and eight rebounds.
Lincolnview will begin NWC play against Ada at home on Thursday night, while Paulding (0-3) will play at Bryan the same night.
Crestview 55 Parkway 29
CONVOY — Crestview clamped down defensively in the second half and pulled away for a 55-29 win over Parkway on Tuesday.
The Lady Knights led 15-11 after one quarter and 26-21 at halftime. A 12-2 scoring blitz put Crestview ahead 38-23 after three quarters, then the hosts enjoyed a 17-6 scoring advantage in the final period.
(more…)POSTED: 12/01/21 at 4:47 am. FILED UNDER: Sports
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
This week’s edition of Random Thoughts centers around MAC football, public vs. private, Ohio State football, the Rose Bowl, the College Football Playoff, the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals.
MAC attack
It’s happened before and it’ll probably happen again, but three MAC schools will play for state championships on Saturday.
In my mind, Coldwater and Marion Local are the favorites to win Division VI and VII. Versailles has an interesting matchup in Division V. The opponent is three-time defending state champion Kirtland, a team that has won 55 consecutive games, the longest streak in the entire country.
It’ll be the final game of the seven championship games and it could be a great one.
Public vs. private
For those keeping track, there are nine public and five private or parochial schools competing for OSHAA football state championships this weekend.
Ohio State
By now, much has been said about Ohio State’s loss to Michigan.
Look, the Wolverines were going to win one sooner or later. It had to happen but it’s disappointing how it happened. Michigan didn’t necessarily do anything special but did play old school hard nosed football and they kept Ohio State off-balance all afternoon.
(more…)POSTED: 11/30/21 at 4:53 am. FILED UNDER: Sports
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
CONVOY — Three Crestview players reached double figures to help the Knights secure a 64-57 victory over Miller City in the season opener for both teams on Saturday.
Nathan Lichtle led the way with 19 points, including five three-pointers, while Mitch Temple scored 16, including nine on foul shots in the fourth quarter. Rontae Jackson added 14 points and seven rebounds in the win.
“We have a lot of experience but it’s different experience this year as far as roles and what we expect of our kids to do,” Crestview head coach Doug Etzler said. “Nate getting 19, Mitch 16 and Rontae 14 – that’s big for us and we’re going to have to have different guys step up each night.”
“We’re a little different this year, we’re picking things up full court so we’re going to have to play a lot of guys,” the coach continued. “We have some guys who didn’t get in tonight but we have confidence that they’re playing well in practice and they’re going to get their number called too.”
Lichtle hit back-to-back triples in the first quarter to give Crestview an 8-6 lead, then Jackson added one late in the period and Nasir Easterling’s bucket gave the Knights a 14-13 lead after one.
Buckets by Silas Niese and Jaden Nuveman helped give the Wildcats a 20-17 lead with 4:40 left in the second quarter, but it was the final time Miller City would score in the period. A basket by Jackson and a one-handed runner by Gavin Etzler put the Knights ahead 21-20, then Temple drained a late trey to give Crestview a 24-20 halftime advantage.
(more…)POSTED: 11/29/21 at 4:52 am. FILED UNDER: Sports
Van Wert independent sports
CANTON — The 50th Annual Ohio High School Athletic Association football state championships kick off Thursday night at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton and three Midwest Athletic Conference teams – Versailles, Coldwater and Marion Local – will compete for titles in three different divisions, all on Saturday.
Division II State Championship – Thursday, December 2, 7 p.m.
Cincinnati Winton Woods (12-3) vs. No. 8 Akron Archbishop Hoban (11-3)
Division IV State Championship – Friday, December 3, 10:30 a.m.
No. 4 Clarksville Clinton-Massie (13-1) vs. Youngstown Ursuline (11-3)
Division III State Championship – Friday, December 3, 3 p.m.
No. 2 Hamilton Badin (14-0) vs. No. 1 Chardon (15-0)
Division I State Championship – Friday, December 3, 7:30 p.m.
No. 5 Springfield (13-1) vs. No. 3 Lakewood St. Edward (13-1)
Division VII State Championship – Saturday, December 4, 10:30 a.m.
No. 3 Newark Catholic (14-1) vs. No. 1 Maria Stein Marion Local (15-0)
Division VI State Championship – Saturday, December 4, 3 p.m.
No. 6 Coldwater (13-2) vs. No. 8 Carey (14-1)
Division V State Championship – Saturday, December 4, 7:30 p.m.
No. 8 Versailles (14-1) vs. No. 1 Kirtland (14-0)
POSTED: 11/29/21 at 4:51 am. FILED UNDER: Sports
Van Wert independent sports
The Monday Mailbag will return one week from today, December 6.
If you have a sports question or comment for the next edition, please email it to sports@thevwindependent.com.
POSTED: 11/29/21 at 4:51 am. FILED UNDER: Sports
Van Wert independent sports
Here are scores of area boys’ basketball games played on Friday, November 26.
Ada 60 Ridgemont 59
Antwerp 65 Delphos St. John’s 37
Arlington 50 Fort Jennings 36
Cardinal Stritch 75 Leipsic 74
Eastside 63 Edgerton 46
Findlay 84 Defiance 61
Hicksville 47 Fairview 39
Lima Central Catholic 75 Elida 65
New Bremen 62 Ottoville 43
Parkway 56 Waynesfield-Goshen 19
Paulding 53 Continental 43
Shawnee 64 Bath 45
Spencerville 52 Minster 43
Wapakoneta 50 Delphos Jefferson 46 (OT)
Wayne Trace 49 Columbus Grove 21
POSTED: 11/26/21 at 11:17 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
It’s OHSAA state semifinal weekend and it’s no surprise that three MAC teams are still in the running to qualify for next week’s championship games.
In addition to the MAC teams, Ottawa-Glandorf is representing the Western Buckeye League but has a daunting challenge ahead.
Last week I went just 3-3, easily my worst mark during the regular season or the playoffs. It dropped my overall postseason record to 38-12. Here’s hoping for a better record this week.
Here are the picks for four state semifinal games involving area teams. Next week I’ll make predictions for all seven state championship games, regardless of which teams are playing.
Division V
Ottawa-Glandorf (10-1) vs. Kirtland (13-0)
What a playoff run it’s been for the Titans. They knocked off the top two seeds in Region 18 and allowed six points or less in three of their four playoff games.
Now, Ottawa-Glandorf has the toughest task of all. The Kirtland Hornets have won the last three state championships and have been in the semifinals for the last 11 seasons. Oh, and the Hornets have won 54 consecutive games, the longest current streak in the entire country.
While I’d like to see the Titans win, history appears to be on the side of Kirtland. Yes, upsets happen and this would be a huge one, but I don’t see it happening.
The pick: Kirtland
Canal Winchester Harvest Prep (10-2) vs. Versailles (13-1)
Fun fact: Versailles has given up just 29 points in its last six games, including 14 in the playoff opener against Cincinnati Summit Country Day.
While Harvest Prep has played a formidable schedule, I can’t help but think Versailles is battle tested a bit with a MAC schedule. This has the potential to be a close and entertaining game and a couple of touchdowns might be enough to win it.
I briefly considered going with the Warriors but I’m going to stick with the Tigers in this one, which should set up a championship game against Kirtland.
The pick: Versailles
(more…)POSTED: 11/25/21 at 10:45 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
