VAN WERT -- An update on all the sports in the VW-Area from the past week is listed below.
Knights season ends at state:
Crestview loses to Columbus Africentric in semis
COLUMBUS – Despite the fourth-quarter heroics of Melissa Eickholt, the Crestview Lady Knights’ dream season came to an end Thursday afternoon on the floor of Value City Area as the Africentric Nubians handed Crestview a 39-33 loss in the Division IV state semifinals.
No. 4 Africentric improves to 22-4 with the win and, more importantly, moves to Saturday’s Division IV state championship game, setting up a rematch with defending Division IV champ and No. 2-ranked Berlin Hiland, a 73-42 winner over Carey. For the second straight season, Crestview (25-1) ends its campaign in the Division IV state semifinal game, and at the hands of the Nubians.
Crestview's Melissa Eickholt brings the ball down the court during Thursday's Division IV semifinal game against Columbus Africentric. The Nubians won the contest, 39-33 to advance to the state finals against Berlin Hiland.
Both teams appeared nervous at the start and the first quarter ended in a 5-5 deadlock. Africentric then took a 15-11 halftime edge by ending the first half on a 10-6 mini-run.
In the third stanza, Crestview’s pressure defense started to take its toll on Africentric, as the Knights ran off a 7-2 spurt in the fourth stanza to take their first, and only, lead of the game at 26-25. Eickholt was a one-girl team in the quarter, hitting a three-pointer and scoring 12 of the Knights’ 14 points in the quarter.
The Nubians regrouped, though, and surged ahead again, this time for good. Although the Lady Knights would pull within striking distance on several occasions, some very questionable calls from the referees enabled Africentric to either retain the ball or go to the charity stripe. Free throw shooting was the difference in the game, as the Nubians went to the line 24 times and made 19 of those (79.2 percent), while Crestview was 9 of 11 (81.8 percent) at the charity stripe.
Ashar Harris led the Nubians in the scoring column with 15 points, while teammate Shardai Morrison-Fountain chipped in 11 markers. The Nubians’ top scorer, Raven Ferguson, who averaged 19.6 points a game coming into Thursday’s contest, was held to 7 points in the game.
The Lady Knights were led by Eickholt’s 15 points, with no other Lady Knight tallying more than four points in the contest.
For the game, Africentric shot 32 percent (10 of 31) from the field. The Nubians went 0 for 2 from three-point land.
Crestview shot 36.7 percent (11 of 30) from the field, and hit 20 percent (2 for 10) of its three-point attempts.
Africentric outrebounded the Lady Knights 26-19, while also edging Crestview in the turnover battle (the Nubians committed 14 compared to 16 miscues for the Knights).
Score by Quarters
Team
1st Quarter
2nd Quarter
3rd Quarter
4th Quarter
Total
Africentric
5
10
10
14
39
Crestview
5
6
8
14
33
Box Score
Africentric (39) – Harris 15, Babbs 6, Ferguson 7, Morrison-Fountain 11; Totals: 10-24-39.
Crestview (33) – Eickholt 15, Motycka 4, Thompson 4, Lichtensteiger 4, Hall 2, Nedderman 4; Totals: 11-9-33.
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VWHS boys basketball team earns honors
The Van Wert High School boys’ basketball program held its end of the season awards night for 2008-2009.
In addition to all of the individual and team awards, special post-season awards were announced. Those awards included: Jacob Bagley, First Team All-Western Buckeye League, Second Team All-District 8 Coaches Association, honorable mention, AP All-Northwest Ohio Division II, Van Wert All Area First Team and the OHSBCA Academic Award, along with Evan Hammons.
Corey Clifton was named Honorable Mention All-WBL and to the Van Wert All Area Second Team.
Senior Awards were awarded to the following: Cory Mohr, Brady Dunlap, Josh Bolenbaugh, and Gabriel Mendoza.
Special team award winners include: Cory Clifton, Rookie of the Year; Brady Dunlap, Pride Award; Jacob Olson, Chairman of the Boards; Jacob Bagley, Cougar Award; Evan Hammons, Claw Award.
Scholar-athletes include: Kody Heitz, Gabriel Mendoza, Allison Klinker, Natalie Hood, Tiffany Pierce, Courtney Mercer, Ericka Priest, Jack Moonshower, and Joe Moonshower; Danae Westgerdes, Lindsay Greve, Laney Ellzey, Amelia Wiseman, Katie Myers, Misty Hilleary, Miranda Chavarria, Carlee Brown, and Blake Doidge; Josh Bolenbaugh, Jacob Bagley, Brady Dunlap, Jacob Olson, Evan Hammons, Jacob Hood, Austin Fleming, and Brandt Taylor.
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Upward soccer taking registrations
Upward promotes character and self-esteem in every child by providing an evaluation system that promotes equal teams and opportunities, establishing a one-hour practice and game each week, implementing a substitution system for each team, allowing every child equal playing time, and creating the opportunity for every child to learn the skills of the game.
Upward is more than a game. Children will have fun learning or improving their soccer skills through Upward. Participating in this league will give a child a chance to experience good sportsmanship on and off the field. While playing Upward Soccer, children will receive a special recognition award after every game and have the opportunity to develop new friendships.
Along with this unique sports experience, children will receive the following: Upward reversible jersey and shorts, Upward water bottle, Upward soccer socks, Upward car magnet, and an end of the season award.
Form and registration fee may be picked up or dropped off at the Trinity United Methodist Church office (220 S. Walnut St. in Van Wert) anytime between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. The registration cost per child is $60, with the registration deadline being Saturday, March 28. Limited scholarships are also available for those who cannot afford the registration cost.
Individuals may also complete registration at one of the evaluation dates. Everyone must attend one soccer evaluation, which will take place at the Rotary Soccer Complex on John Brown Road. Registration dates are as follows:
Pre-K through sixth grade boys/girls
Monday, March 23, and Tuesday, March 24, from 6-8 p.m.
Saturday, March 28, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For more information, contact Derek Stemen at 419.238.9541 or by email at
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NWO Basketball Club sets Stag Night
The Northwest Ohio Basketball Club of Van Wert will be hosting its first annual Stag Night on Saturday, April 4, at JEHMMS Banquet Center.
Each ticket includes one entry in the reverse drawing along with a buffet dinner. Special presentations and autograph sessions by former Ohio State athletes, as well as other Ohio athletes, will also be a highlight of the evening.
A high-definition big-screen television also will show the NCAA Final Four games throughout the evening.
The evening begins with appetizers at 5 p.m. followed by the buffet dinner at 6 p.m. and the reverse raffle starts at 7 p.m. Top prize on the reverse raffle will be up to $4,000.
All proceeds from the evening will go towards expenses incurred by members of the Northwest Ohio Basketball Club.
For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Al Welch or Rob Welch at 419.238.3620.
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Eickholt to play basketball at MVNU
CONVOY – Crestview girls’ basketball standout Melissa Eickholt, inked her name on a letter-of-intent Wednesday to attend Mount Vernon Nazarene University and play basketball there next fall.
Earlier in the day, word was received that the Crestview senior was named second team All-Ohio in the Division IV girl's basketball selections. Eickholt averaged 10.5 points per game for the Lady Knights, who will play in the Division IV state semifinals Thursday in Columbus.
Overall, Eickholt has had a big season, as she was the Northwest Conference's "Player of the Year" and was also named to the Van Wert All-Area First Team, First Team All-District, and will play in the North-South and District 8 All-Star games.
Eickholt is still undecided on what her major will be, but she said she has thought about the field of communications. "I am really looking forward to playing basketball at Mount Vernon and attending college," Eickholt said. "I like everything about the place, the academics, the atmosphere, the coaching staff, it all fell together," Eickholt added.
When asked about the decision to just play basketball next season, versus the three-sport routine (basketball, volleyball and softball) she had maintained at Crestview, Eickholt noted: "It really was not a hard decision for me, because basketball has always been my favorite sport."
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VWHS cheerleaders hold awards event
Van Wert High School cheerleaders were honored at an Awards Recognition held recently in the First Federal Lecture Hall at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio.
Senior cheerleaders Natalie Hood, Allison Klinker and Danae Westgerdes were honored with a senior clock for their four years of service to Van Wert High School cheerleading. Coach Arlene Hurless recognized the seniors for their excellent leadership, superior academics and dedication shown throughout the season. Senior cheerleaders and basketball players were also presented with Senior Scrapbooks made by the cheerleaders to capture the memories of the 2008-09 season.
Cheerleader varsity letter winners included second-year letter winners Hood, Klinker and Westgerdes. Earning their first-year varsity basketball cheerleading letters were Brooke Grieshaber, Lindsay Greve, and Amelia Wiseman.
Special recognition was given to Hood, selected as Most Valuable Cheerleader; Klinker, who was chosen as Most Spirited Cheerleader; Ericka Priest, selected as Most Improved Cheerleader; and the Coach’s Award, which was given to Westgerdes.
Carlee Brown was presented a varsity letter as the winter sports mascot and was also recognized as a scholar athlete.
Danae Westgerdes, Coach’s Award; Ericka Priest, Most Improved; Allison Klinker, Most Spirited; Natalie Hood, Most Valuable Cheerleader.
Varsity letter winners include Amelia Wiseman, Lindsay Greve, Brooke Grieshaber, Natalie Hood, Allison Klinker, and Danae Westgerdes.
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Convoy leagues taking registrations
Don’t delay in getting children signed up for summer 2009 baseball and softball in Convoy! Registrations are currently being accepted and scholarships may be available.
Mail registrations today to: Convoy Sports Center, P.O. Box 401, Convoy, OH 45832.
Contact Donna Thomas immediately at 419.749.1144 with any questions or for further details.
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1. games on sat Written by
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, on 22-03-2009 21:47 Did thorgood win and go on ??? can you let me know ..thanks russ grimes
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