The Van Wert County Courthouse

Friday, Mar. 29, 2024

Cougar boys fall to Delphos St. John’s

DAVE MOSIER/independent sports

The Van Wert Cougars rallied to take a 32-29 lead into the final quarter of their game against Delphos St. John’s on Tuesday, but couldn’t hold on as the Blue Jays went on a 21-15 run to win the non-conference contest, 50-47, in the Cougars’ Den.

Cougar Josh Braun (12) puts up a layup against Delphos St. John's on Tuesday. The Blue Jays edged Van Wert 50-47 in the non-conference game. (Jan Dunlap/Van Wert independent)
Cougar Josh Braun (12) puts up a layup against Delphos St. John’s on Tuesday. The Blue Jays edged Van Wert 50-47 in the non-conference game. (Jan Dunlap/Van Wert independent)

St. John’s got out to an eight-point lead, 14-6, in the first quarter, but the Cougars erased three points of advantage in the second stanza and trailed by five, 21-16, at the half. Van Wert then doubled the score on the Blue Jays in the third quarter, 16-8, and took the lead heading into the final period of play, but St. John’s hit 11 of 13 free throws down the stretch, while the Cougars were 1 of 4 at the line during the period to secure the win.

The Blue Jays had three players in double figures, led by Evan Hays’ 16 points. Andy Grothouse scored 14 for St. John’s, while Tyler Conley added 11 points for the Jays. Connor Holliday was Van Wert’s top scorer with 13 points, while Colin Smith scored 10 points and Nick Keber added 9 for the Cougars.

Free throw shooting was the key to the game, as the Blue Jays canned 20 of 24 charity tosses (83.3 percent), while Van Wert was a less-then-stellar 5-of-12 (41.7 percent) from the line.

The Cougars were better from the field, knocking down 19 of 40 (47.5 percent), including 4 of 16 from three-point range (25 percent). St. John’s was 15 of 32 from the field (46.9 percent), but was 0-for-4 from behind the arc.

St. John’s had the advantage on the boards, with 18 rebounds to 14 for the Cougars, but Van Wert had far fewer turnovers (5-14) than the Blue Jays.

With the loss, Van Wert goes to 2-4 on the season, while the Blue Jays are 5-1 on the year.

The Cougar junior varsity team won, 40-32, over St. John’s. Davis Munroe led the Van Wert JVs with 14 points, while Jesse Ditto was St. John’s top scorer, with 16 points.

VW boys vs. St. John's 12-2014

POSTED: 12/31/14 at 8:28 am. FILED UNDER: Sports