The Van Wert County Courthouse

Monday, Mar. 18, 2024

VW independent sports/submitted information

COLUMBUS — The 102nd edition of the Ohio High School Athletic Association boys basketball state tournament begins Friday at the University of Dayton Arena. The Division IV and III semifinals are on Friday, followed by the Division II and I semifinals on Saturday. All four state championship games are on Sunday.

Three area teams are among the 16 teams competing – Lima Central Catholic and Russia in Division IV and Ottawa-Glandorf in Division II. It’s Ottawa-Glandorf’s fourth straight state tournament appearance.

2024 OHSAA boys basketball state tournament pairings

All games at University of Dayton Arena. Home team listed first. Pairings shown with current record and final Associated Press state rank. Area teams are in bold. All 12 games will air live on 99.7FM WKSD.

Division IV

UD Arena will again host the boys basketball state tournament. University of Dayton photo

No. 10 Berlin Hiland (22-6) vs. No. 5 Lima Central Catholic (26-2), Friday, 10:45 a.m.

No. 3 Richmond Heights (17-9) vs. No. 2 Russia (27-1), Friday, 2 p.m.

State Championship: Sunday, 10:45 a.m.

Division III

No. 6 Canal Winchester Harvest Prep (23-4) vs. No. 1 Ottawa-Glandorf (24-3), Friday, 5:15 p.m.

No. 10 Camden Preble Shawnee (24-3) vs. No. 2 Cleveland Heights Lutheran East (21-5), Friday, 8:30 p.m.

State Championship: Sunday, 2 p.m.

Division II

No. 9 Kettering Archbishop Alter (21-7) vs. No. 4 Youngstown Ursuline (24-3), Saturday, 10:45 a.m.

No. 2 Shelby (25-2) vs. Zanesville Maysville (25-3), Saturday, 2 p.m.

State Championship: Sunday, 5:15 p.m.

Division I

No. 2 Cleveland St. Ignatius (24-3) vs. No. 6 Delaware Hayes (27-1), Saturday, 5:15 p.m.

Centerville (19-8) vs. No. 7 Toledo Whitmer (25-2), Saturday, 8:30 p.m.

State Championship: Sunday, 8:30 p.m.

POSTED: 03/18/24 at 3:41 am. FILED UNDER: Sports

Crestview High School senior Hunter Jones recently signed a letter of intent to continue his academic and baseball careers at Division II Ashland University. Jones is pictured with his mother Trisha, his father Steve and Crestview head baseball coach Jim Wharton. Photo submitted

POSTED: 03/18/24 at 3:41 am. FILED UNDER: Sports

Van Wert Lodge No. 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks has announced that Everett Gerker, representing Van Wert Elks Lodge and the Ohio Elks Association, placed second in his age group at the recent Elks Regional Soccer contest. Everett competed in the 7 and under division and competed against the winners from the other states in the region. Everett had competed and won the local lodge contest. He then went on to compete at the Northwest District contest held in Findlay as well as the Ohio Elks Association State Soccer Contest where he again placed first. Everett not only represented the local lodge, but the Northwest District and the Ohio Elks Association at the regional contest, which was held on March 1-3, in York, Pennsylvania. Pictured is Everett with Tom Pavlick, State President of the Ohio Elks Association. Photo submitted

POSTED: 03/18/24 at 3:40 am. FILED UNDER: Sports

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

DAYTON — A 10-0 run to start the fourth quarter and a suffocating defense helped propel No. 1 Fort Loramie past No. 4 Crestview 50-41 in Thursday’s Division IV state semifinal game at UD Arena.

The loss ended Crestview’s season at 26-3, while Fort Loramie (27-2) advanced to Saturday’s 10:45 a.m. title game against Waterford.

Crestview’s Cali Gregory (5) finds herself surrounded by Fort Loramie players. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent

Crestview led 33-29 to begin the final period, but Fort Loramie’s Avery Brandewie scored eight unanswered points, then Victoria Mescher’s layup off a turnover gave the Redskins a 39-33 lead with 4:18 left in the game. Meanwhile, Fort Loramie’s defense allowed a single basket during the first 7:30 of the quarter – a layup by Cali Gregory with about 2:30 left in the game. Gregory later hit a pair of treys in the final 30 seconds, but the Redskins sealed the win with foul shots.

“I think the biggest difference was their defensive intensity in the second half,” Crestview head coach Mark Gregory said. “They ramped up their intensity and we knew they would. Maybe their depth wore us down a little bit because they play eight or nine girls and we play six or seven.”

“In the game of basketball you have to hit shots and I think in the second half we didn’t hit as many shots as we did in the first half and some of that is a credit to them,” he added.

“I asked if they wanted to be done today and the resounding answer was no,” Fort Loramie head coach Carla Siegel said, referring to her message entering the fourth quarter. “Today was a game of adversity, we were down by a lot and we fought back. I can’t say enough about the way these girls did not show any defeat on the floor no matter what the score was.”

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POSTED: 03/14/24 at 6:33 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports

Crestview and Fort Loramie traded blows during Thursday’s Division IV state semifinal game at UD Arena but unfortunately, the Knights came up short in a 50-41 loss. Crestview’s outstanding season came to an end at 26-3. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent

POSTED: 03/14/24 at 6:33 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports

Submitted information

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association has announced the finalists for the 2024 Ohio Mr. Basketball Award. The winner will be announced next Wednesday, March 20. The list includes Ottawa-Glandorf’s Colin White.

Voting is currently underway for the 224 registered OPSWA members and will end at noon on Monday, March 18. The voting process for OPSWA members is the same as that used to determine the Heisman Trophy winner in college football. First place votes get three points, second-place votes get two points and third-place votes get one point.

Ohio’s Mr. Basketball was selected by the Associated Press from 1987-2016. Since 2017 it has been presented by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association.

2024 Ohio Mr. Basketball Finalists (listed in alphabetical order)

J’Allen Barrino, Malvern, 6-2, sr.

Ottawa-Glandorf’s Colin White is a finalist for Ohio Mr. Basketball. Photo provided

Division III East District and Inter-Valley Conference North Division Player of the Year after leading the Hornets to a 22-0 regular season. He has played 59 career games at Malvern and the team has gone 56-3. His senior year, J’Allen was 174-of-242 from the field, averaging 18.6 ppg while only taking 11 shots per game. He shot 74% from the foul line and also averaged 5.1 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 5.2 steals. Barrino surpassed 1,000 career points and owns school records for steals in a season and a career. He also currently ranks third in career assists in school history.

Alex Bruskotter, Shelby, 6-8, sr.

The Wright State University commit averaged 23.8 points, 9.1 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game this season. The Northwest District Co-Player of the Year was also the Player of the Year by the District 6 coaches association and the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference. He scored 53 points in a game with 12 3s in a game this season. He is second in scoring behind the legendary Larry Siegfried. Bruskotter was also invited to represent Ohio in Italy in March. He is a three-time All-Ohioan.
Marcus Johnson, Garfield Heights, 6-1, soph.

NE Lakes District POY coming off an All-Ohio first team season as a freshman and ranked 12th nationally in the Class of 2026. Johnson led the Bulldogs (21-1) to a 19-0 start that included wins against Huntington Prep, Western Reserve Academy, defending Texas state champion Faith Family Christian and OHSAA champion Richmond Heights. Johnson has offers from Ohio State to Alabama, Cincinnati, LSU and Villanova. Averaged 23.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.9 steals.

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POSTED: 03/13/24 at 2:22 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports

Cincinnati Purcell Marian junior Dee Alexander has been named as the 2024 Ohio Ms. Basketball. She won the award last year as a sophomore. Now in its 37th year, the prestigious award was first given by the Associated Press in 1988. It has been voted by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association since 2017. Loudonville senior Corri Vermilya was the runner-up. Pickerington Central senior Berry Wallace finished third and Shaker Heights Laurel sophomore Saniyah Hall finished fourth. Other finalists included Whitehouse Anthony Wayne junior Elise Bender, Bloom-Carroll senior Emily Bratton, Springboro junior Bryn Martin and Berlin Hiland senior Ashley Mullet. Photo submitted

POSTED: 03/13/24 at 2:21 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

Don’t expect a high-flying, high-scoring shootout when No. 4 Crestview and No. 1 Fort Loramie meet in the Division IV state semifinals at UD Arena on Thursday. While both teams are capable of putting up points in bunches, it’s defense that has gotten both teams to Dayton.

The Redskins are allowing a paltry 27.8 points per game and just 17.5 points per outing in the tournament, while the Knights give up just 30.2 points per game and slightly more, 31.2, points per game through six tournament games.

In addition, neither team has lost to a Division IV squad this year. Crestview’s two losses came to Ottawa-Glandorf and Allen East (both Division III), while Fort Loramie’s losses came to Division III poll champion Casstown Miami East (36-33 in the season opener), and 54-42 to Thornville Sheridan (No. 3 in Division II).

Cali Gregory is averaging 20.5 points per game for Crestview. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent

During a statewide media teleconference held on Tuesday, Crestview head coach Mark Gregory said he’s pleased with his team’s play, especially during the postseason.

“During the tournament we’ve had a really nice run and I think we’re playing the best basketball we have all year,” Gregory said. “I’m just so proud of my team and encouraged by the way they’ve played for each other and the name across their jerseys.”

Unlike Crestview, Fort Loramie had one big scare in the tournament. It came in the regional semifinals against Russia, a team the Redskins had beaten handily twice during the regular season. The third matchup wasn’t nearly as easy, as Fort Loramie was forced to rally for a 33-29 victory.

“We were down most of the game and we had a hard time finding the basket, but what I love about our girls is they didn’t panic, they persevered,” head coach Carla Siegel said.

Fort Loramie went on to win the regional championship with a 44-22 win over Marion Local. After a slow start, the Redskins went on a 31-0 run in the game.

“Once we hit a couple of baskets we got into passing lanes and used our length to create some situations which allowed us to get some easy baskets,” Siegel said.

Along with lockdown defense, Fort Loramie is paced by a deep and balanced offensive attack. Juniors Avery Brandewie, a 5-10 forward, averages 10.9 points per game and Victoria Mescher, a 6-foot forward averages 10 points per outing. Meanwhile, senior guard Skyler Albers puts in just under 10 points per game. Crestview will counter with 5-10 senior guard Cali Gregory, who’s averaging 20.5 points per game, 5-5 junior guard Ellie Kline (10.5 points per game) and freshman guard Kaci Gregory (9.4 points per game).

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POSTED: 03/13/24 at 3:38 am. FILED UNDER: Sports

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

The latest installment of Random Thoughts center completely around Thursday’s Division IV state semifinal matchup between Crestview and Fort Loramie and the state tournament in general.

No strangers

This will be Fort Loramie’s 12th state tournament appearance. The Redskins also qualified in 2021, 2020, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2006, 1997, 1991 and 1979, with titles coming in 2021, 2015 and 2013, and runner-up finishes in 2011 and 1997.

This is Crestview’s sixth state tournament appearance (1976, 1985, 2008, 2009 and 2021).

The two teams met in the 2021 Division IV semifinals at UD Arena, with Fort Loramie winning it 66-24.

Defense

Here’s an eye popping number – Fort Loramie allows just 27.8 points per game, regular season and tournament combined.

In six tournament games, the Redskins have allowed just 105 points, or 17.5 per game. The most any team has scored in those six games is 29, by Russia.

Crestview has been great defensively as well, allowing just 30.2 points per game, regular season and tournament. In tournament play, the Lady Knights are allowing 31.2 points per game, while scoring 66.8 per game.

Don’t count on a high scoring game. In fact, the combined score may not reach 66.

Common opponent

Crestview and Fort Loramie have one common opponent – Ottawa-Glandorf. The Lady Knights hosted O-G on December 28 and lost 47-45. Fort Loramie traveled to O-G two days later and won 55-52.

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POSTED: 03/12/24 at 3:44 am. FILED UNDER: Sports

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

ELIDA — A late second quarter trey gave Crestview some breathing room and proved to be the catalyst for a big third quarter run during Saturday’s Division IV regional championship game against Columbus Grove.

Ellie Kline’s triple in the closing seconds of the second period extended No. 4 Crestview’s lead to 23-18, then the Lady Knights quickly seized control of the game with a 14-0 scoring run to open the third quarter. From there, Crestview went on to another impressive tournament win, 53-29, over the Bulldogs.

“That was huge and that was Ellie Kline to the ‘nth’ degree,” Crestview head coach Mark Gregory said. “That’s her – it doesn’t matter if she’s made shots or not, she’s going to step up and make big ones for us.”

Kaci Gregory pumps in a three pointer against Columbus Grove. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent

Freshman Kaci Gregory accounted for nine points during the third quarter run, while Cali Gregory and Myia Etzler each scored a bucket, as the lead grew to 36-18 less than halfway through the period.

I’m so proud of her as a freshman to do what she did today,” Gregory said of his youngest daughter. “She’s just continued to get better and better as the season has gone on. You want to be playing the best basketball of the season now and I think we are at this time.”

“There’s not a selfish girl on this team,” the coach added. “Unselfishness, toughness, togetherness – that’s what we preach and the girls have bought in and it’s fun to watch. We got help from everybody. I thought our girls played great defensively. What a great job on one the best players in northwest Ohio (Lauryn Auchmuty) and I’m just so proud of our effort on both ends of the floor.”

Auchmuty finished with 12 points and was the only Columbus Grove player in double figures. The Lady Bulldogs were just 12-of-34 shooting with 13 rebounds.

Cali Gregory led all scorers with 20 points while Kaci Gregory added 12. The Lady Knights were 22-of-35 shooting, including 7-of-13 from three point range, after an 0-for-5 start. Crestview finished with 17 rebounds. The two teams each shot just two foul shots the entire game, with Crestview hitting both and Columbus Grove converting one.

Crestview started the game a little slow. In fact, the Lady Knights didn’t score until just over halfway through the first quarter, while Myia Etzler drained a pair of foul shots. Later in the period, Auchmuty buried back-to-back treys and gave Columbus Grove a 10-4 lead. By the end of the period, Crestview closed the gap to 11-9, including a late bank shot by Etzler, who finished with six points and eight rebounds.

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POSTED: 03/11/24 at 3:44 am. FILED UNDER: Sports