VWMS team wraps up great season

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor

Monday’s 26-20 loss to Defiance in the Ron Dixon Memorial Tournament championship game wasn’t what Van Wert’s eighth grade boys’ basketball team had hoped for, but it doesn’t take away from an outstanding season.

“We didn’t capture the championship, but I told the kids that doesn’t define the season and the success that they experienced this year,” head coach Kerry Koontz said. “Everybody was out to get them and they had to bring their ‘A’ game every game because someone was looking to make their season by knocking us off. “

During the regular season, no opponent was able to beat Van Wert, as the Cougars rolled to a 15-0 record, then went 2-1 in the tournament. While reflecting on the just concluded season, Koontz offered praise for Cougars and their efforts.

“Their approach to the game was a very good approach and they wanted to get better and wanted to learn,” Koontz said. “The team comradery was very good, very positive and they were very supportive of each other.”

“I’d also said they were very selfless,” Koontz added. “I don’t think they really cared who scored, they just wanted to play and have fun.”

“They were so much fun to watch. They distributed the ball to each other so well and were always looking for the next pass. I think this team got as much satisfaction in getting the assist as they did scoring, which at this level is not always the case. A lot of people define how they did by how many points they scored, but I didn’t see that in this class at all.”

As far as leaders on the team, Koontz said it seemed to be a group effort instead of having one or two leaders.

“Aidan Pratt, Garett Gunter, Carson Smith, and Maddix Crutchfield would be four guys who I thought stood out in a leadership role,” the coach said. Logan Dotson, Luke Wessell, Damon McCracken, and Nate Phillips were leaders as well.”

Other key contributors during the season included Ashton Baer, A.J. Proffitt, Ian Place, Jackson Jones, Tavian Eddins, Rylan Burnett, and Mekhi Jerome.

“Their basketball IQ is really good,” Koontz said of the team. “There would be a few times where we’d call time out and I’d have my whiteboard out to draw a play, but I could just describe it.”

“There were times I didn’t draw it because they knew the terminology and that’s a very mature group at that level to be able to do those types of things.”

“I’m very proud of the kids for what they accomplished this year. They kept it all in perspective and we just took it one game at a time. I don’t think we really focused on what our record was, and I loved that part of coaching these guys.”

Koontz was assisted by Nate Hoverman, who also coached the Van Wert Middle School seventh grade team.