FORT JENNINGS – Friday the 13th proved to be a house of horrors on the road at Fort Jennings at times for visiting Ottoville on Friday night as their 12-game winning streak against the Musketeers fell by the wayside.
Fort Jennings (3-2) trailed early in their non-league tilt against conference rival Ottoville (3-2), but found key shots and answers to runs by the Big Green offense to snag the 50-45 victory.
“Credit to Fort Jennings, they did a great job of making us very uncomfortable at times offensively,” said Ottoville head coach Keith Utendorf.
Utendorf, a veteran of the annual battles between the two programs had not seen his charges lose to the black and orange since falling on the road 56-42 on January 26th, 2018.
Trailing 8-7 to open the second quarter, the Musketeers found balanced scoring from five players and a handful of scoop and scores off of opponent miscues to send the game tied into the break.
Seniors Brandt Menke and Jarron Swick led the way for Fort Jennings in the scoring column as they combined for nine of their teams 16 markers. Menke knocked down a key three point goal from the right wing in the seconds before the half.
Returning All-PCL pick Landon Horstman dominated at times in the post for Ottoville and led the way for all scorers in the game with 18 points. Horstman, a 6’4 senior snagged multiple rebounds and helped to keep the Big Green within five late in the fourth quarter.
“We had uncommon errors and ill timed mistakes and turnovers that hurt during some of our bigger runs,” remarked Utendorf.
Five three point goals fueled the Musketeers during their runs in the second half as the quartet of Ian Howbert, Calvin Menke, Jarron Swick, and Brandt Menke knocked down three in the third and two in the fourth period combined.
Swick, a Tri-C baseball signee opened the run of triples for the host orange and black in the third to bring the Musketeers within 27-26. Celebrating being named Homecoming King before the contest, Swick did a bulk of his work on the evening helping teammates set up their shots as he was held to just eight points himself.
Ashton Miller scored 14 for the Big Green who will next be in action on Saturday night as they take on Spencerville.
Calvin Menke’s 11 joined teammates Ian Howert (10), and Brandt Menke (14) in double figures for the Musketeers who will travel Tuesday night for a non-league tilt at Crestview for their next action.
“Our guys played their tails off but we didn’t make enough shots early in the first half to get control of the game,” said Utendorf. “I’m very proud of our kids for continuing to stay in it through the adversity and give us a chance in the end.”
Scoring:
Fort Jennings (50):
Owen Calvelage 2
Calvin Menke 11
Jarron Swick 8
Brandt Menke 14
Hudson Maag 2
Adam Hoersten 3
Ian Howbert 10
FT: 10/16
3PT: 6 (B. Menke 2, Swick 2, C. Menke, Howbert)
TO: 12
Ottoville (45):
Ashton Miller 14
Alex Leis 5
Brandon Calvelage 6
Landon Horstman 18
Damian Lawhorn 2
FT: 10/18
3PT: 1 (Leis)
TO: 20
JV: Fort Jennings 45-29