Hoops preview: Cougars, Lancers, Knights

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor

Including this weekend, just two more weekends remain in the 2019-2020 boys high school basketball regular season. Lincolnview will play twice this weekend, while Van Wert and Crestview will play games on Friday, then enjoy Saturday off. Below are brief previews of the games.

Van Wert at Bath, at Lima Central Catholic (Tuesday)

Van Wert (6-13, 2-5 WBL) was 2-0 last week, ending the home portion of the 2019-2020 schedule in style with wins against Elida and St. Henry. The remaining three regular season games will be on the road and two of opponents are from Allen County.

Van Wert enters the weekend averaging 51.5 points per game while giving up 59.1 points per game. This past weekend marked the second and third highest scoring games (67, 66 points) since the Cougars scored 68 against Wapakoneta on December 20.

Owen Treece currently averages 22.9 points per contest and after two double digit games last weekend, Jake Hilleary is averaging 7.6 points and a team high 6.3 rebounds per game. Keaton Brown is averaging 6.1 points per game, while Clayton Proffitt contributes 4.9 points per game.

While scoring is becoming more balanced compared to early in the season, the team’s free throw percentage has increased to 69 percent.

Bath is 2-18 (0-7 WBL) and split last weekend’s games, losing to St. Marys Memorial on Friday and beating New Knoxville on Saturday. The Wildcats also lost to Delphos St. John’s on Tuesday.

Bath is averaging 51.7 points per game and allowing 64.3 points per game.
Jonah Wauben averages 10 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, followed by Ian Armentrout (8.2 ppg), Carter Parlapiano (8.1 ppg) and Britton Hall (6.3 ppg).

The Cougars won last year’s game 69-48 and the Cougars have won three straight against the Wildcats.

Van Wert’s next game will be next Tuesday at Lima Central Catholic. The Thunderbirds are currently 11-8 and will play at Celina on Saturday.

Lincolnview at Ada, vs. Arlington

After defeating Crestview last Friday then coming up short the following night Coldwater, the Lancers are 10-9 (5-1 NWC).

Lincolnview remains in contention for the NWC championship, but will need wins against Ada and Paulding and for No. 1 Columbus Grove to lose to Allen and and/or Ada.

The Lancers are averaging 52.8 points per game and allowing 54.8 points per outing. Creed Jessee averages 13.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, followed by Collin Overholt (9.1 ppg and 5.1 assists per game), Jake Bowersock (8.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg), Aaron Cavinder (7.2 ppg) and Clayton Leeth (6.7 ppg).

Ada (7-12, 2-4 NWC) has lost four of five, with the lone win coming over Paulding. The Bulldogs average 52.3 points per game and give up 56.1 points per contest. Brandon Hull is the team leader at 17.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, while Phillip Coulson averages 12.7 points per game. Micah Cook (8.3 ppg) and Zac Swaney (6.9 ppg) are two other scoring options.

Lincolnview won last year’s game 59-34.

Saturday’s game against Arlington is the final home game for Lincolnview and it will feature a 5 p.m. junior varsity start.

The Red Devils have an impressive 15-4 record and will play at Arcadia on Friday. The four losses have come to Columbus Grove, Bluffton, Wayne Trace and Liberty-Benton.

Entering the weekend, Arlington averages 63.8 points per game and allows 48.8 points per game. Jaret Vermillion is the team’s leading scorer at 19.4 points per game, while Zavier Thornton averages 11.6 points per contest. Tyson Speyer averages 5.2 rebounds per game.

The Red Devils won last year’s game 41-37.

Crestview vs. Paulding

The Knights (9-11, 2-4 NWC) saw their five game winning streak end with last weekend’s losses to Lincolnview and Wayne Trace.

Crestview enters the weekend averaging 48.3 points per game while allowing 50.3 points per contest. Kalen Etzler continues to average a double-double with 16.7 points and 10.4 rebounds per game, while Carson Kreischer averages 10.4 points per outing. Kaden Short averages 5.5 points and JJ Ward chips in with 5.2 points per game.

Paulding (6-12, 2-4 NWC) has won three of four, with victories over Montpelier, Hicksville and Liberty Center and a loss to Ada. Three Panthers average double digits – Blake McGarvey (11.6 ppg), Seth Dysinger (10.3 ppg) and Payton Beckman (10.1 ppg). Hunter Kauser contributes 8.6 points per game. Dysinger is the team’s leading rebounder at 5.4 per game, while Beckman pulls down 4.3 rebounds per outing.

Crestview won last year’s game 62-38.