DELPHOS — The Crestview Knights boys basketball team traveled over from Convoy to The Stage Friday night to face off with the Jefferson Wildcats on Parents’ Night activities.
The Knights were rude guests in conquering the Wildcats 37-24 in Northwest Conference action.
There was very little scoring in the first half of the game. In the first quarter, there was only a total of 11 points scored, with the Knights prevailing by 8-3  as Tony Springer (18 points) drained a 3-pointer. The only points Jefferson managed to score was a 3-pointer by Jordan Jettinghoff. The first points of the ball game were not scored until 4:48 left in the first as Briggs Orsbon (7 points) tallied two foul shots.
“We were not in a hurry to score as the possession after the three by Jefferson was executed well. The way we started the half was good but the runs gave us some breathing room,” stated Crestview coach Jeremy Best.
The Wildcats’ defense proved to be strong in the second quarter as they only allowed the Knights to tally two points. However, the Knights’ defense held the Wildcats to only five points. Craig Carder (4 points) hit a huge shot for the Wildcats with a minute remaining in the quarter that tied it at 8 apiece. At this point Jefferson was hoping to take a tie into the break but they fouled Springer with 2.7 seconds remaining; he then tallied two to give the Knights their lead at 10-8.
“They had better defense then we do. Both teams were looking to score and hold the ball as they both also struggled to make shots. Their streak in the third hurt us, as did not being able to read the screens,” stated Jefferson coach Marc Smith.
The Knights came out strong after the break as they outscored the Wildcats 18-5. Jefferson’s defense started slacking a little in the third quarter as they were not getting hands in the faces of Crestview’s shooters. Springer hit two threes for the Knights for a run for the Knights; Bryce Richey also hit a 3-pointer for the Knights, along with making all three foul shots after being fouled on a three. The Knights defense stayed strong throughout the third as they took a score of 28-13 into the fourth quarter.
“We keep defending and we really worked on getting back to the basics. We had a great week of practice. They are a good team and did not leave a lot of gaps on the inside. When we found some, we missed shots. We were able to make runs that allowed our defense to relax,” added Best.
Jefferson came out stronger on both sides of the ball in the fourth quarter as they once again outscored the Knights 11-9. Michael Wiltsie (4 points) had a shot fall and then was fouled for two more points later on. Josh Miller (4 points) also came up with a rebound and a putback for two points for the Wildcats.
The Wildcats committed nine turnovers and were able to pull down 20 rebounds. The Knights had 12 turnovers and were able to pull down 24 rebounds.
“Our defenses worked well with both zone and man, only allowing 37 points. We were able to have eight players score as we were trying every type of offense. Crestview is a very nice team,” added Smith.
The Knights increase to 10-9 (5-3 NWC) with the win.
The Wildcats fall to 10-8 (3-5 NWC) as they will travel to Van Wert to battle with the Cougars on Monday (6 p.m.).
In JV action, the Knights prevailed 48-43. The Knights (11-8, 4-4 NWC) were led in scoring by Jordan Speaks with 11 and Evan Vining 10. The Wildcats (11-7, 4-4 NWC) were led in scoring by Andy Wiltsie and Logan Bonifas, both scoring eight points.

VARSITY
CRESTVIEW (37)
Bryce Richey 1-4-7, Briggs Orsbon 2-3-7, Michael Thompson 1-1-3, Tony Springer 5-5-18, Jordan Gibson 1-0-2, Michael Biro 0-0-0, Kyle Balliet 0-0-0, Steven Rickard 0-0-0. Totals 10-13-37.
JEFFERSON (24)
Michael Wiltsie 1-2-4, Jordan Jettinghoff 1-0-3, Mike Rahrig 1-0-2, Craig Carder 1-0-3, Josh Miller 2-0-4, Chris Wilkin 0-0-0, Matthew Antalis 1-1-3, Bubba Shivley 1-1-3, Matt Gerdeman 1-0-2. Totals 9-4-24.
Score by Quarters:
Crestview    8    2    18    9 - 37
Jefferson    3    5    5    11 - 24
Three-point goals: Crestview, Springer 3, Richey; Jefferson, Jettinghoff, Carder.
JUNIOR VARSITY
CRESTVIEW (48)
Drew Nofer 2-0-5, Nick Mengerink 0-0-0, C.J. Germann 0-0-0, Steven Semer 0-2-2, Ryan Ramey 0-0-0, Ian Clay 2-2-7,Steven Rickard 2-3-7, Evan Vining 5-0-11, Robby Cook 0-0-0, Brad Miller 2-1-3, Jordan Speaks 5-1-11.  Totals 18-9-48.
JEFFERSON (43)
Andy Wiltsie 4-0-8, Ryan Ebbeskotte 2-0-5, Logan Bonifas 3-2-8, Austin Clarkson 0-0-0, Tyree DeWitt 3-1-7, Torey DeWitt 0-0-0, Mitchell Antalis 2-1-5, Jordan Guillen 0-1-1, Dean Renner 1-1-3, Jonah Stemen 1-0-2, Matt Hamilton 0-0-0, Grant Brand 2-0-4. Totals 18-6-43.
Score by Quarters:
Crestview    12    16    11    9 - 48
Jefferson    9    10    9    15 - 43
Three-point goals: Crestview, Nofer, Clay, Vining; Jefferson, Ebbeskotte.