The Van Wert County Courthouse

Thursday, Mar. 28, 2024

VW Cougars drop third straight game

Van Wert independent sports

LIMA — Jacoby Kelly scored 22 points but it wasn’t enough as the Cougars fell to Lima Central Catholic 58-51 on Tuesday night.

It was the third consecutive loss for Van Wert (10-10).

The Thunderbirds raced out to a 12-4 first quarter lead, but Van Wert fought back with a basket by Blake Henry and two buckets by Nate Place to make it 12-10 at the end of the period.

The second quarter was a back-and-forth affair, with the two teams trading the lead on several occasions. A layup and foul shot by Jacoby Kelly at the buzzer gave Van Wert a 23-21 halftime lead.

6-8 senior Mark Janowski opened the third quarter with a pair of quick baskets that gave Lima Central Catholic a 25-23 lead, but the Cougars responded with a three pointer by Kelly and buckets by Owen Treece and Drew Bagley. Janowski closed the period with a shot that gave the Thunderbirds a 38-35 advantage.

Matthew Cecala opened the fourth quarter with a triple to make it 41-35, and Lima Central Catholic (8-13) went on to outscore the Cougars 20-16 in the period.

Janowski and Cecala paced the Thunderbirds with 12 each. In addition to Kelly’s 22 points, Treece tallied 12 for Van Wert.

The Cougars will finish the regular season Friday at home against Defiance, before opening sectional tournament play against Maumee at Findlay High School next Wednesday.

POSTED: 02/21/18 at 7:30 am. FILED UNDER: Sports