Shane Knepp scored nine of his game-high 17 points in the fourth quarter to help host East Knox preserve a 36-34 win over Northmor in Knox Morrow Athletic Conference play on Friday, Dec. 11, in Howard.
Knepp converted on all seven of his free throws in the fourth quarter to help seal the win for the Bulldogs (1-2, 1-1).
Logan Mariotti had 11 points to lead the Golden Knights (1-4, 1-2), who took a 26-24 lead into the fourth quarter.
Utica 67, Tree of Life 37
Host Utica found its offensive rhythm in the first half, parlaying a 37-11 lead at the break into a 67-37 win over Tree of Life in non-league play on Monday, Dec. 14.
Seth Cooper scored a game-high 17 points, Zach Heckman had 13 points and Beau Dunlap added nine points to lead Utica (2-3).
Will Siktberg had 16 points to lead the Trojans (0-1).
West Holmes 46, Mount Vernon 27
Garrett Eastep scored a game-high 13 points to lead host West Holmes to a 46-27 win over Mount Vernon in Ohio Cardinal Conference play on Friday, Dec. 11, in Millersport.
Eastep pulled down six rebounds, and Deandre Thomas added nine points and four boards to lead the Knights (4-0, 1-0).
Beau Bridges had 10 points and five rebounds; Hudson Rohler added seven points; and Blake Meyer and Dayne Burgess had five points apiece, with Meyer pulling down a game-high 11 rebounds for the Yellow Jackets (0-4, 0-2).
Cardington-Lincoln 53, Danville 30
Cardington blew it open with a 19-point third quarter and rolled to a 53-30 win over Danville in KMAC play on Friday, Dec. 11, in Cardington.
Nate Hickman scored a game-high 13 points, and Avery Harper and Trey Brininger added 12 apiece to lead the Pirates (3-1, 2-1).
Wyatt Weckesser had 12 points and Aaron Mezie added eight points to lead the Blue Devils (0-4, 0-3), who led 10-9 after one quarter before falling behind.
Centerburg 59, Mount Gilead 42
Carter Jones scored 10 of his game-high 21 points in the second half to help visiting Centerburg pull away in a 59-42 win at Mount Gilead in KMAC play on Friday, Dec. 11.
Levi Houck hit a pair of 3s and finished with 11 points, and Isaiah Reynolds scored six of his eight points in the final quarter to help the Trojans (3-0, 3-0) extend the lead.
Matthew Bland had 13 points and Elijah Chafin added 12 points to lead MG (1-3, 1-2), which trailed 26-25 at the break.
Girls basketball
Though short-handed, Danville returned to competition with a 45-36 win over Northmor in KMAC play on Saturday, Dec. 12, in Galion. Alenah Boeshart hit a pair of 3-pointers and scored seven points in the third quarter as the visiting Blue Devils built a 15-point lead.
Boeshart scored a game-high 17 points; and Brooklyn Hess added nine points, seven assists and three blocks for the Devils (4-0, 2-0); who were down to eight players because of COVID-19 protocols. Danville played its first game since Nov. 28.
Lexi Wenger scored 16 points and Reagan Swihart added 10 points to lead the Knights (1-6, 0-5).
Danville 36, Centerburg 35
Danville remained unbeaten with a 36-35 win over Centerburg in KMAC play on Monday, Dec. 14.
Ella Proper scored 10 points and Alenah Boeshart added nine points to lead the Blue Devils (5-0, 3-0).
Chloe Goulter topped the Trojans (3-3, 2-3) with a game-high 15 points.
Cardington 66, East Knox 33
Mikayla Linkous scored 11 points as Cardington opened with a 19-3 first quarter and cruised to a 66-33 win over visiting East Knox in KMAC play on Saturday, Dec. 12.
Linkous finished with a game-high 16 points, Dana Bertke added 14 points and Beth Hardwick chipped in 12 points to pace the Pirates (4-0, 4-0).
Laura Keith scored 12 points and Shanda Mellick pitched in nine points to lead the Bulldogs (2-2, 2-1).
Newark Catholic 63, Utica 10
Newark Catholic opened the game 13-1 and never looked back in a 63-10 win over Utica in Licking County League play on Saturday, Dec. 12, in Newark.
Harlei Antritt scored 17 points, Brynn Peddicord had 15 points and Maddie Kauble added 12 points to lead the Green Wave (3-0, 3-0).
Shawna Blake had seven points to lead Utica (1-5, 0-3).
Women’s basketball
Taylor Gregory turned in her first double-double of the season to lead Mount Vernon Nazarene University to its first win, a 73-71 decision over host Bethel in Crossroads League play on Saturday, Dec. 12, in Mishawaka, Ind.
Gregory scored 18 points, pulled down 12 rebounds and added three blocks to her ledger to lead the Cougars (1-4, 1-2).
Rylee Pireu had a game-high 19 points and Erin Boehm came off the bench to score 11 points for MVNU, which led by as many as 15 points thanks to a Boehm 3-pointer with 8:22 left in the fourth quarter.
The Pilots responded with a 16-3 run to pull within two. Kelsey Brickner turned in her own double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds, Nyla Asad added 17 points and five assists and Jessica Erwin chipped in 13 points to lead Bethel.
Pireu and Hope Custer had four assists apiece for MVNU.
Men’s basketball
TreVion Crews went off for 45 points and visiting Bethel cruised to a 100-45 win at MVNU in Crossroads League play on Friday, Dec. 11, in Mount Vernon.
Crews stuffed the stat sheet with six rebounds, six assists and four steals to pace the Pilots (8-2, 3-1), who led 55-31 at the break.
Carter Pline had 14 points and five rebounds; Jevon Knox went for 13 points, two steals and a pair of assists; Clay Hilliard added 11 points and Kade Ruegsegger pulled down a game-high nine rebounds to lead the Cougars (2-2, 2-2).
Jani Griffith had 16 points and five boards and Jared DeHart chipped in 10 points for Bethel.
