Jefferson catches Cougars looking ahead

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

DELPHOS – The Van Wert Cougars must have been looking past Delphos Jefferson to this weekend’s Division II sectional tournament, but the lapse cost them their 17th win of the year, as the Wildcats downed Van Wert 58-55 in a make-up non-league game played in Delphos Saturday afternoon.

The first half went in the Cougars’ favor, but not by much. Van Wert led 18-16 at the end of the first quarter and was up by four, 27-13, at the half. But the pesky Wildcats changed that in the second half, outscoring Van Wert 35-28 for the win.

The key statistic was free throws, with the Jeffcats making 16 of 21 attempts (76.2 percent) and Van Wert 6 of 8 from the line (75 percent). The most important free throws were the two Jefferson’s leading scorer, Ryan Ebbeskotte, hit with next to nothing left on the clock to make it a 58-55 ballgame. The Cougars got off a three-point shot, but it wouldn’t go in.

The Cougars were 5 of 17 from three-point range (29.4 percent) and hit 17 of 38 two-point attempts (44.7 percent). Jefferson hit 2 of 6 three-point tries (33.3 percent) and 18 of 40 attempts from two-point distance (45 percent).

Only four Van Wert players scored in the game, although three of those were in double figures, led by Jake Myers’ 31 points. Corey Clifton added 12 points – a handful below his average – while Reggie Phillips scored 10 for the Cougars. Jefferson was led by Ebbeskotte’s 25 points, while Logan Bonifas had 16 for the Wildcats.

Delphos also dominated the boards, bringing down 30 rebounds to 18 for the Cougars. The turnover story was the opposite, though, as the Wildcats committed 22 turnovers to 10 for Van Wert.

With the loss, the Cougars finish the regular season at 16-4 overall, while Jefferson now sports a .500 record at 10-10.

The junior varsity game was another close game, by Van Wert’s JVs won 41-34 in overtime to set the tone for the evening. The Cougars JVs are also 16-4 on the year.

Logan Ray led Van Wert with 15 points, while Jared Fleming added 11 points. Delphos was led by Austin Jettinghoff, who also scored 15 markers on the night.