Ottoville shocks Knights in district semis

DAVE MOSIER/independent sports

LIMA — Ottoville shocked the state-ranked Crestview Lady Knights, 48-47, in the Division IV district semifinals at Lima Senior High School. It was the first loss for the Lady Knights, who end the season at 23-1.

The Big Green (17-7) used intense defensive pressure to take Crestview out of its offensive game, while finding players open all night long for uncontested baskets.

Ottoville led 12-7 after eight minutes of play and was up, 21-18, at the half. It was 32-25, at the three-quarter mark, while the Knights made their comeback efforts a bit too late, outscoring the Big Green 22-16 in the final stanza, but coming up a point short at the end.

Mackenzie Riggenbach led the Knights with 17 points, while Emily Bauer added 11 points for Crestview. Top scorer Lindsey Motycka was held to seven points on the night, including 3 of 4 from the line.

The Lady Big Green had three players in double figures, led by Nicole Kramer’s 13 points. Alicia Honigford scored 12 points, while Annie Lindeman added 10 points for Ottoville.

The Knights were 16 of 36 from the field (44.4 percent) and were 9 of 12 from the free-throw line (75 percent). Ottoville made 12 of 38 field-goal attempts (31.6 percent), and canned 17 of 26 from the free-throw line (65.4 percent).

The Big Green had seven three-pointers in the game, while Crestview made six treys, including three by Riggenbach.

Coach Dave Kleman’s Ottoville squad will now play in the Division IV district finals at Lima Senior on Saturday.