Crestview Knights clinch NWC title share

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor

CONVOY — After a slow start, Crestview kicked it into high gear and clinched at least a share of the Northwest Conference championship with an 89-43 victory at Ray Etzler Gymnasium on Friday night.

Winners of 13 consecutive games, the Knights (17-3, 7-0 NWC) can win the outright conference title next Friday at Columbus Grove.

“It’s a goal that we had set and we talked about it as we went through the year,” Crestview head coach Jeremy Best said of the conference championship.

“We have a piece, but we really don’t want to share it,” Best added. We know we have one more to finish out next week, but I’m proud of our guys.”

The game was tied at eight with 1:42 left in the first quarter, but Javin Etzler hit back-to-back triples to give Crestview a 14-8 lead. Spencerville’s Keegan Goecke hit a jumper that drew the Bearcats (2-17, 1-6 NWC) to within four at the end of the period.

“It took a while for us to get going, but that happens sometimes with emotion,” Best said. “Spencerville played pretty well and we looked a little bit flat early, but I thought we found a way to fight through that.”

A basket by Ben Dues to open the second quarter made it a 14-12 game, but that was as close as the Bearcats would get for the remainder of the contest. Jace Vining’s bucket, two baskets by Etzler and a pair of foul shots by Derek Stout increased Crestview’s lead to 23-12.

Later in the quarter, a steal and layup by Drew Kline sparked a 14-2 run by the Knights. Stout had six of those points, Etzler added four more and Crestview led 40-18 at halftime.

The Knights outscored Spencerville 22-11 in the third quarter, with Grant Schlagbaum hitting two triples, while Etzler and younger brother Kalen Etzler each connected on a trey and a basket.

Crestview put up 27 points in the final period, with Trevor Gibson hitting two three pointers to lead the way. When the dust settled, all 11 players who dressed for the Knights registered in the scoring column.

(Javin) Etzler led all scorers with 24 points, while Stout added 15 and Schlagbaum finished with 11. Dues led Spencerville with 19 points.

It was the final home game for Crestview’s five seniors – Charles Stefanek, Stout, Schlaugbaum, Trevor Gibson and Brett Schumm, who was unable to play due to an injury.

“Tonight was a special night for our seniors,” Best said. “Pregame was emotional, it was awesome and there was a lot of heartfelt emotion. These guys take a lot of pride in this program and I was proud of our five seniors tonight.”

“All five of those guys have really dedicated their time to our program and I’m proud of them and their families,” Best added.

The Knights will travel to New Knoxville for a non-conference game tonight, before heading to Columbus Grove next Friday.

Scoring summary:

Crestview   14 26 22 27 – 89
Spencerville 10 8 11 14 – 43

Crestview: Wade Sheets 3-0-6; Javin Etzler 9-2-24; Drew Kline 2-0-5; Derek Stout 5-5-15; Derick Dealey 2-1-6; Grant Schlagbaum 4-0-11; Jace Vining 2-0-5; Trevor Gibson 3-0-8; Charles Stefanek 1-0-2; Kalen Etzler 2-0-5; Colton Lautzenheiser 1-0-2

Spencerville: Kale Lee 3-0-8; Jackson Goecke 1-0-2; Keegan Goecke 3-2-9; Ben Dues 6-4-19; Dalton Prichard 2-1-6

JV: Crestview 58-37