Senior runs over Cougar boys’ squad

DAVE MOSIER/independent sports

LIMA — The Lima Senior Spartans had 14 players on the scoreboard as the well-stocked Spartans ran over the Van Wert Cougar boys 79-46 in a non-conference game played in Lima.

The Cougars looked lost from the get-go as Lima Senior used a trapping zone defense and quick transition game to take a 19-point lead in the first quarter, outscoring the Cougars 21-2 in the period.

The Spartans’ lead went to 23 points at the half, 42-19, and Lima Senior stretched that advantage to 29 points, 57-28, at the three-quarter mark.

The Cougars were led by Josh Braun’s 13 points, while Connor Holliday added 9 points for Van Wert. Lima Senior had only two players in double figures, led by Jaylin Thomas’ 17 points. Xavier Simpson added 12 points for the Spartans.

The Cougars were 18 of 50 (36 percent) from the field, including 4 of 17 from three-point range (23.5 percent). Van Wert made 7 of 10 free throws (70 percent).

Lima Senior was 33 of 59 from the field (55.9 percent) and made 7 of 21 three-point attempts (33.3 percent). The Spartans were 6 of 11 at the free-throw line (54.5 percent).

Senior owned the boards, bringing down 32 rebounds to 20 for the Cougars. Van Wert also had seven more turnovers, 23-16, than the Spartans.

With the loss, the Cougars are now 6-11 on the year, while the Spartans go to 13-3 overall.

The Van Wert junior varsity team also lost, 47-39, with a number of Spartan JV players also involved in the scoring. The Cougars had three players in double figures, led by Ryan McCracken’s 12 points. Nick Gutierrez and Davis Munroe each had 11 points for Van Wert.

The Spartan JVs were led by Tavares Mills, the only Senior JV player in double figures.