Preview: Knights, Lancers, Cougars

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor

This weekend marks the second weekend of high school basketball for Crestview, Lincolnview and Van Wert. Each team will be in action once this weekend, with Van Wert playing on Friday night, and Crestview and Lincolnview off on Friday and on the court Saturday night. 

Crestview Knights vs. Parkway

The Knights (0-2) opened the 2019-2020 season with back-to-back losses to Van Wert (59-53) and Miller City (48-39). Now, Crestview will enjoy Friday night off, then will host Parkway on Saturday. The junior varsity game will begin at 4:45 p.m., with the varsity contest to follow.

It’s the third straight home game for the Knights, who will play the next three games on the road.

Without 6-8 Ohio State commit Kalen Etzler (medical issue), Crestview currently averages 46 points per game while allowing 53.5 points per outing. 

Parkway enters the weekend 1-1, with a 64-34 win over Waynesfield-Goshen and a 45-43 loss to Botkins. 

The Panthers, who will host Van Wert on Friday, currently average 53.5 points per game and give up 39.5 points per contest. Four of Parkway’s first five games are on the road. 

Crestview won last year’s game 62-52, and the Knights have won nine straight against the Panthers.

Lincolnview at Continental

The Lancers (1-0) earned a 62-58 season opening win at Van Wert on Saturday, giving head coach Brett Hammons his 100^thcareer victory. It was the second straight year that Lincolnview defeated the Cougars.

Lincolnview is off on Friday and will travel to Continental on Saturday. The junior varsity game is scheduled to start at 5 p.m., with the varsity game to follow. 

The Lancers won’t play a Friday night game until December 20, when Spencerville comes to town for the Northwest Conference opener. The first home game is next Saturday against Wayne Trace.

The Pirates enter the weekend 1-1 after losing to Paulding 48-40 last Friday, then defeating Temple Christian 41-31 the following night.

Continental is averaging 40.5 points per game, while 39.5 points per outing.

Lincolnview won last year’s game 62-33, and the Lancers have won two straight against the Pirates. 

Van Wert at Parkway

Van Wert (1-1) opened the season with a 59-53 victory at Crestview, then dropped the home opener, 62-58, to Lincolnview.

The Cougars are averaging 58.5 points per game and giving up 57.5 points per game. After Friday’s game against the Panthers, Van Wert will open Western Buckeye League play at home against Defiance next Friday. 

As noted earlier, Parkway defeated Waynesfield-Goshen 64-34 on Friday, before being edged by Botkins 45-43 on Saturday. The Panthers currently average 53.5 points per game and give up 39.5 points per contest. 

Van Wert won last year’s game 56-50.

Friday night’s Van Wert at Parkway game will air live on WERT 1220AM/104.3FM.