C’view Knights storm back vs. Paulding

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor

CONVOY — Crestview used a stunning 28-8 fourth quarter scoring blitz to defeat upset-minded Paulding 70-54 at Ray Etzler Gymnasium on Friday night.

The victory extended Crestview’s winning streak to 11 games and it kept the Knights (15-3, 6-0 NWC) alone in first place in the Northwest Conference. Paulding fell to 8-9 (4-2 NWC).

“That was crazy,” Crestview head coach Jeremy Best said after the game. “I haven’t been part of something like that in a while, just with the momentum and how we were really flat, and Paulding played unbelievably well.”

Trailing 46-42, the Knights opened the final period with 15 unanswered points. Drew Kline began the run with a foul shot, followed by a basket by Wade Sheets and a trey by Jace Vining. Javin Etzler hit a triple, then Derick Dealey hit a basket before Etzler connected from the floor and the free throw line. Vining added another foul shot to give Crestview a 57-46 lead with 4:30 left in the game.

Paulding’s Jaret Miller ended the run with a triple, but Kline went on a tear by scoring eight of Crestview’s final 13 points. Kline hit three baskets and two foul shots and finished with a season high 19 points to go along with nine assists and six steals.

“Drew’s a passionate competitor,” Best said. “He lit the fire with our guys defensively and he made shots, got multiple steals and had some great looks.”

Paulding’s Marcus Miller scored his team’s final seven points of the first quarter and the Panthers led 15-11 at the end of the period. Miller went on to score four more in the second quarter to go along with eight by younger brother Jaret Miller and Paulding led 31-23 at halftime.

At one point in the third quarter the Panthers led by as many as 14 (43-29) before Etzler and Kline combined for 13 points to trim the deficit to six points late in the period. Etzler went on to finish with a game high 24 points and seven rebounds.

Crestview will host Wayne Trace tonight, while Paulding will travel to Liberty Center.

Scoring summary:

Crestview 11 12 19 28 – 70
Paulding     15 16 15 8 – 54

Crestview: Wade Sheets 5-0-2; Javin Etzler 9-4-24; 7-4-19; Derek Stout 3-2-8; Jace Vining 3-1-4; Derick Dealey 2-0-4

Paulding: Carson Shull 4-0-11; Marcus Miller 6-4-18; Ethan Rhonehouse 1-1-3; Jaret Miller 4-0-11; Fletcher Cook 2-0-5

JV: Paulding 42-39 2 OTs