Marion Local dominating in win over VW

DAVE MOSIER/independent sports

MARIA STEIN — The Van Wert Cougars found out why Marion Local is ranked No. 7 in Division IV as the tall Flyers (four starters 6-4 and over, including 6-10 Luke Knapke) dominated offensively to win, 60-42, over the visiting Cougars.

Van Wert kept it close in the first quarter, trailing by just six points, 18-12, at the end of the first eight minutes of play. The Flyers were just getting started, though, and went on a 14-8 run in the second stanza that put them up by 12, 32-20, at the half. A 13-9 third quarter run for Marion Local gave them a 16-point lead, 45-29, and, while Van Wert stayed within a basket of the Flyers in the final period of play (15-13), poor shooting by the Cougars doomed any chance of a comeback.

Van Wert was an ice-cold 15 of 57 from the field (26.3 percent), including 7 of 23 from three-point range (30.4 percent). The Cougars made 5 of 10 free-throw attempts (50 percent).

The Flyers were 19 of 41 from the field (46.3 percent), including 4 of 12 three-point attempts (25 percent). Marion Local made 17 of 23 free-throw attempts (73.9 percent).

The Flyers dominated the boards, bringing down 45 rebounds to 22 for Van Wert. The Cougars did a better job of ball control, though, with just six turnovers, compared to 13 for Marion Local.

With the loss, Van Wert is now 3-7 overall, while the Flyers run their record to 9-1.

The Cougar junior varsity team did better, beating Marion Local 53-42 in the opening game of the night. Ryan McCracken had 24 points in the game, while Davis Munroe added 11 points. Kyle Koenig had 12 points for Marion Local’s JV team.

Van Wert will next play at Lima Shawnee this coming Friday, and then host Bryan on Saturday in the Cougars’ Den.