Girls hoops: Van Wert tops Elida 54-50

Van Wert independent sports

ELIDA — A 34-25 scoring advantage in the middle two quarters boosted Van Wert to a 54-50 Western Buckeye League win at Elida on Thursday.

The Lady Cougars led 8-6 after the first quarter, with Jamison Clouse scoring four of her 10 points in the period, then Jaylyn Rickard hit a pair of treys in the second quarter to help Van Wert to a 22-17 halftime lead. Carly Smith and Sofi Houg each scored five points in the third quarter and Carlee Young added four, and Van Wert led 42-31 entering the final period.

Houg finished the night with nine points, Young had eight, Smith seven and Rickard six. Elida’s Addison Freeman led all scorers with 20 points and Ameera Freeman added 11 for the Lady Bulldogs (10-10, 3-5 WBL).

Van Wert (6-14, 4-4 WBL) will host Lima Central Catholic on Saturday, then will finish the regular season next Thursday at home against Bath.