SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports
Van Wert scored a season high 21 points from the foul line, which helped the Cougars pull away from Kenton for a 68-34 win in the regular season finale at the Cougar’s Den on Friday.
In a strange start, the game actually began from the foul line, as both teams were assessed a technical foul before taking the court – Kenton for not having starters turned in on time and Van Wert because of a mistake in the starting lineup in the scorebook. Kenton’s Blaine Bushong hit both of his attempts while Van Wert’s Griff McCracken converted 1-of-2 technical shots.

More than halfway through the first quarter, Kenton led 10-9 but from there the Cougars went on a 29-8 scoring run that spanned the remainder of the opening period and the entire second quarter. It included an 20-2 run by Van Wert, with Xavier Kelly hitting a short running jumper at the first quarter buzzer, second quarter foul shots by Keaten Welch and Zach Crummey and back-to-back triples by Nate Gearhart and McCracken. Crummey scored eight of his 13 points in the second quarter, including a crowd pleasing alley-oop slam dunk, and Gearhart, the team’s lone senior, had a pair of treys in the period to help Van Wert to a commanding 40-20 halftime lead.
“If we had to have only one senior, Nate would be the guy I would pick out of a crowd,” Van Wert head coach Jeremy Best said. “He’s selfless, he loves his teammates, he loves his team and he’s incredibly coachable. He’s just a good-hearted kid that is in it for all the right reasons and for me to work with him for one year – I’ve been blessed.”
Three of Van Wert’s four third quarter buckets were treys, including back-to-back three pointers by Kelly and McCracken, plus another by Gearhart, who finished with nine points. The Cougars also connected of 7-of-8 foul shots in the period and finished the game 21-of-29.
“That’s something we’ve been working on, not just shooting free throws but getting more attempts,” Best explained. “A month ago we went several games where we weren’t even in double figures in free throw attempts, so that’s been good to see these last six to seven games – our free throw attempts have been up. We’ve love to make a few more but at least we’re attacking the basket and getting the ball in the post a little bit more.”
(more…)POSTED: 02/15/25 at 12:46 am. FILED UNDER: Sports
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports
CONVOY — Crestview used a deep and multi-faceted attack to defeat county rival Lincolnview 68-36 on Friday night. The Knights had four players finish in double figures and eight players register in the scorebook as they improved to 17-4 (5-2 NWC), while the Lancers lost their seventh straight game and fell to 5-16 (0-7 NWC).
“I was really pleased with our effort tonight,” Crestview head coach Doug Etzler said. “I thought we did a good job of attacking Lincolnview’s pressure and we shared the ball and took good shots.”

“I thought our kids once again battled battled and played hard,” Lincolnview head coach Brett Hammons said.
6-6 senior post player Wren Sheets got Crestview off to a good start with eight points in the opening quarter, while 6-3 junior Liam Putman added a pair of baskets. When the period ended, the Knights enjoyed an 18-8 lead. All eight of Lincolnview’s points came from Max Hammons, who hit a pair of conventional buckets, a trey and a foul shot.
Hammons added five more points in the second quarter and went on to finish with 18 points, but Crestview countered with five points by Tommy Heffner and a triple by Owen Heckler, the first of his three treys. By halftime, Crestview led 30-17.
Lincolnview’s Chayse Overholt hit a pair of three pointers in the third quarter but Crestview carried a 41-27 lead into the fourth quarter. The Knights then flexed their muscles in the final period by outscoring the Lancers by a 27-9 margin. Hayden Perrott scored eight of his 14 points in the final stanza and Sheets added two more buckets. He went on to finish with a double-double, 17 points and 14 rebounds.
“I thought we played well in the middle two quarters but it got away from us in the fourth quarter,” Hammons said. “They are a tough matchup for us.”
Putman and Heckler each scored 10 points for Crestview and the Knights shot 28-of-50 from the floor, including 22-of-33 (67 percent) from two point range and 8-of-12 from the foul line. Crestview had a big rebounding advantage, 33-20.
(more…)POSTED: 02/15/25 at 12:45 am. FILED UNDER: Sports

Van Wert will be well represented at the state swimming meet in Canton next week. The boys 200 yard medley relay team of Andrew Laudick, Owen Scott, Sam Houg and Robbie Gamble set a new school record by 2.5 seconds during Friday’s Division II district competition. Houg and Gamble also qualified for state in the 50-yard freestyle, Houg advanced in the 100 yard freestyle and the 200 yard freestyle relay team of Gamble, Laudick, Scott and Houg set a school record while advancing to state. The OHSAA Swimming and Diving State Tournament will be held Tuesday-Saturday at C.T. Branin Natatorium in Canton. Photo submitted
POSTED: 02/15/25 at 12:45 am. FILED UNDER: Sports
VW independent sports
Here are final scores of area boys high school basketball games played on Friday night, February 14. League and conference champions were crowned throughout the area.
GMC
Antwerp 44 Hicksville 38
Edgerton 53 Ayersville 43
Paulding 47 Tinora 44
Wayne Trace 57 Fairview 43
Note: Paulding, Tinora and Wayne Trace finished as GMC tri-champions
MAC
Coldwater 61 New Bremen 49
Delphos St. John’s 81 Fort Recovery 43
Marion Local 59 Minster 51
Parkway 60 New Knoxville 48
Versailles 60 St. Henry 46
Note: Delphos St. John’s finished as the outright MAC champion
NWC
Bluffton 54 Allen East 45
Columbus Grove 68 Delphos Jefferson 56
Crestview 68 Lincolnview 36
Note: Spencerville and Columbus Grove finished as NWC co-champions
PCL
Kalida 60 Continental 22
Note: Kalida finished as outright PCL champion
WBL
Defiance 62 Celina 39
Shawnee 60 Ottawa-Glandorf 41
Van Wert 68 Kenton 34
Wapakoneta 49 Bath 39
Note: Shawnee finished as the outright WBL champion
Non-conference
Lima Central Catholic 75 Ottoville 52
Spencerville 65 Calvary Christian 24
POSTED: 02/14/25 at 10:03 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports

The Van Wert High School boys bowling team finished third at the Division II sectionals in Minster on Friday. Top four teams and top four individuals advance to Division II district competion. Top bowlers for Van Wert were Tristan Blackmore (188-266-197-651 series); Hayden Davis (201-195-213-609 series); Logan Sutton: (223-180-200-603 series); Christian Thatcher: (234-201-259-594 series); Maverik Bigham (192 game), and Jayden Paige (189 game). Van Wert will compete at districts at Interstate Lanes in Rossford at 10 a.m. Thursday, February 20. The top three teams and top three individuals will move on to state. Photo submitted
POSTED: 02/14/25 at 10:02 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
By Trent Temple/special to the VW independent
Transforming the Van Wert High School weight room into a fitness center is more than a physical renovation – It’s a commitment to students’ well-being. It is an acknowledgment that our community values health, inclusivity, and personal growth. By broadening the facilities to accommodate a broader range of activities, we are investing in a future where every student has the opportunity to thrive, both physically and mentally.

The new equipment includes treadmills, elliptical machines, stationary bikes, a wide range of dumbbells, barbells, medicine balls, squat racks, power racks, resistance bands, heavy ropes, plyometric boxes, suspension trainers for each rack, Olympic bumper plates, barbel plates, cable machines, and a schedule workout board for coaches to outline their programs workouts.
In conclusion, converting our high school weight room into a comprehensive fitness center is a step toward building a healthier, more inclusive, and future-ready community. It’s about embracing a holistic approach to wellness, supporting athletic, academic, and personal success, and nurturing lifelong healthy habits.
Editor’s note: Trent Temple serves as Van Wert High School Athletic Director.
POSTED: 02/13/25 at 9:44 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
VW independent sports
WAUSEON — Van Wert’s girls’ basketball season came to an end with a 51-40 loss to Wauseon in the Division IV sectional finals at Wauseon High School Thursday night. Van Wert entered as the No. 7 seed, while Wauseon was the No. 2 seed.
The Indians (19-4) led 16-10 after the first quarter with Amaya Dowdy accounting for half of Van Wert’s points in the opening period. Wauseon extended the lead to 26-15 at halftime. Katie DeAmicis scored nine of her 11 points in the third quarter and Jazzlyn Florence added two treys but Van Wert trailed 40-30 entering the final period. Florence scored eight of Van Wert’s 10 points in the fourth quarter and finished with a game high 15 points. Wauseon had three players finish in double figures – Mackenzie Stasa led the way with 12 points, Sophia Rupp added 11 and Aunali Reyes finished with 10 points.
Van Wert finished the season 3-20.
POSTED: 02/13/25 at 9:09 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports
Friday night marks the end of league and conference play for most area boys high school basketball teams. Below is the status of title races in the Western Buckeye League, Northwest Conference, Green Meadows Conference, Putnam County League and Midwest Athletic Conference.
WBL
With an undefeated league record, Shawnee (18-2, 8-0) is the front runner and can win the WBL championship outright with a victory Friday night at Ottawa-Glandorf. If Shawnee is upset by O-G and Elida (13-7, 7-1 WBL) defeats St. Marys Memorial (5-15, 2-6 WBL) at home, the Indians and Elida would share the league championship. There are no other teams in WBL title contention.

NWC
Spencerville (18-2, 6-1 NWC) has already clinched at least a share of the conference championship. The Bearcats have no more conference games left and will host Calvary Christian Friday night and Parkway Saturday night. Surging Columbus Grove (10-7, 5-1 NWC) can earn share the conference title with Spencerville with a win at Delphos Jefferson (7-13, 1-5 NWC) on Friday. Spencerville’s only conference loss came to Columbus Grove (51-47), while Columbus Grove’s only NWC was at the hands of Crestview (63-41). There are no other teams in contention for the conference title.
GMC
Tinora (16-3, 6-0 GMC) has a one game lead over Paulding (12-8, 5-1 GMC) and Wayne Trace (11-9, 5-1 GMC) and has clinched a share of the GMC championship. The Rams will host Paulding on Friday and a win would give Tinora an outright conference title. Should Paulding win, the Panthers would earn a share of the GMC title. If that happens and Wayne Trace defeats Fairview (8-13, 3-3 GMC), the Rams, Panthers and Raiders would be conference tri-champions. No other teams are in contention for the conference title.
PCL
Entering Friday night, four teams are in contention for the league title. Kalida (12-8, 5-1 PCL) is the front runner with a one game lead over Fort Jennings (14-6, 4-2 PCL), Ottoville (14-6, 4-2 PCL) and Columbus Grove (10-7, 4-2 PCL). Kalida can win the league title outright with a win over Contintental (1-18, 0-6 PCL) on Friday night. If Kalida loses, that opens the door for the other three teams. Fort Jennings will play at Pandora-Gilboa (9-11, 2-4 PCL) on Friday, Ottoville will at Leipsic (11-9, 2-4 PCL) on Saturday, while Columbus Grove will host Miller City (16-5, 3-3 PCL) on Saturday.
(more…)POSTED: 02/13/25 at 3:07 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
VW independent sports
Wrestling
Van Wert 53 Kenton 23
Van Wert wrestlers wrapped their regular season with a convincing 53-23 victory over the Kenton Wildcats in a WBL match-up in the Cougar’s Den on Tuesday. With the victory, the Cougars finished 4-5 in the WBL. Individual results are as follows:
126 – Tristan Hoehn (VW) forfeit
132 – Harrison Brien (K) forfeit
138 – Carter Bledsoe (VW) 15-0 technical fall over Karson Davis (K)
144 – Briggs Wallace (VW) 11-4 decision over Isaiah Mundy (K)
150 – Ben Hamilton (VW) forfeit
157 – Alex Benner (VW) forfeit
165 – Auston Welker (VW) forfeit
175 – Isaac Blevins (K) 17-0 technical fall over Carter Heath (VW)
190 – Isaiah Poland (K) forfeit
215 – Matthew Handel (K) pinned (1:00) Ben Verville (VW)
285 – Breese Bollenbacher (VW) 3-1decision over Brison Laubis (K)
106 – Owen Bates (VW) forfeit
113 – Heath Calvelage (VW) pinned (:57) Sierra Vansky (K)
120 – Ryan Wallace (VW) pinned (4:30) Logan Kopanka (K)
The Cougars are back in action at the WBL Tournament at Ottawa-Glandorf on Saturday. Wrestling will start at 9 a.m.
Girls basketball
Crestview 57 Antwerp 23
CONVOY — The top-seeded Crestview Lady Knights opened the postseason with a 57-23 victory over No. 8 seed Antwerp in the Division VI sectional semifinals on Tuesday.
Kaci Gregory scored eight points in the opening quarter, including a pair of treys, Kennedy Crider added six points and Ellie Kline and Lilie Best each scored four points to help Crestview to a 24-7 lead at the end of the first quarter. Kline added 11 more points in the second quarter, with nine points coming on triples, and the Lady Knights led 37-11 at halftime. Kline, who finished with 22 points and five assists, scored seven more points in the third quarter and Crestview carried a 51-19 lead into the final stanza.
Gregory hit double digits with 10 points, and Crider scored 10 points and had nine rebounds. Caroline Rohrs led Antwerp (8-15) with 10 points.
The Knights (20-3) will take on No. 7 seed Delphos Jefferson for the sectional championship at 2 p.m. Saturday at Ray Etzler Gymnasium.
Bowling
Lincolnview, Shawnee split
DELPHOS — At the Delphos Recreation Center on Monday, Lincolnview and Shawnee split in varsity bowling action, with the Lancer girls winning 2575-2243 and the Indians taking the boys’ match 3003-2651.
Aydreigh Hanicq led Lincolnview with a 207-204-411 series, followed by Karighan King (139-223-362), Aubrey Ricker (195-150-345), Abby Dannenfelser (163-175-338) and Lily Wyatt (145-177-322).
On the boys’ side, Grayden Clay led the Lancers with a 211-189-400 series, followed by Pacey Early (192-168-360), Zach Newell (180-178-358), Owen Dannenfelser (165-153-318) and Evan Elling (161-142-303).
POSTED: 02/11/25 at 8:57 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports

Kaci Gregory (above) put up a shot during Tuesday’s Division VI sectional semifinal against Antwerp, while Kennedy Crider (below) dives for a loose ball against the Archers. No. 1 seed Crestview won the game handily, 57-23 (see recap above) and will host No. 7 seed Delphos Jefferson for the sectional championship at 2 p.m. Saturday. Wyatt Richardson/Van Wert independent

POSTED: 02/11/25 at 8:57 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports