OTTAWA – Charles Dickens once wrote “It was the best of times it was the worst of times” and for Ottawa Glandorf in their 63-35 opening night victory Thursday evening over visiting Van Buren both were true.
Seniors Myka Aldrich and Katie Kaufman combined to score 31 points on offense but saw their squad commit 24 turnovers in the game and trailing at various points early on.
“I had hoped we would open better but our lack of time in the gym during the preseason reared it’s ugly head” said Ottawa Glandorf 12th year head coach while referring to the success of the Lady Titans soccer program leaving little time for his squad to prepare for the opening of the hardwood season.
OG opened the contest with a 4-0 lead on fast break baskets in the opening minute from Aldrich and Kaufman but found themselves behind at the end of one 10-9 thanks to Van Buren frosh Brooklyn Wilkin who netted eight of her game high 20 points in the stanza.
“We were sloppy and discombobulated early but the girls responded and play a little better out of the half. Some young girls got time on the floor so we could evaluate them going forward but Myka and Katie played the way you want your seniors to play when things aren’t going smoothy. I just wish we had a little more experience to play with them during stretches of the game” opined Yant.
Fueled by Aldrich’s six points in the period and a pair of triples from sophomore Savannah Recker, the Titans raced to a 28-23 halftime lead mostly due to their immense defensive pressure giving the Black Knights fits. Wilkin again led the surge by her squad but was forced to endure a span of nearly three minutes during the quarter the Titans kept the visitors from the scoring column until a Maddie Hudock three pointer cut the lead to 21-17 mid way through.
Utilizing their youth in the third period the Ottawa Glandorf offense came alive behind the duo of Madie Liebrecht and ultimately Liv Grothause who scored just before the buzzer to give the hosts a 47-27 advantage. Junior point guard Carlie Brinkman slashed through would be defenders for six points in the quarter.
Kaufman, signed to play collegiately at Malone University led the Titan charge in the final two quarters of play as she notched 10 of her team and career high 18 points in the half and finished off her scoring with a basket at 4:31 to give the blue and gold a 55-31 win and set her new personal mark.
While OG’s triples came from Savannah Recker and Megan Horstman in the first half, the second half’s lone long ball belonged to Liebrecht who finished off her own personal high evening by splashing home a basket late. Freshman Gracie Lammers earned her first career varsity points in her first outing on Thursday evening as well for the victorious Titans.
Van Buren (1-3) finished the night with just 10 points in the second half and were saddled with 38 turnovers. Next up for the Black Knights is a Thursday night Blanchard Valley Conference clash next week with the McComb Panthers.
Ottawa Glandorf (1-0) is set for a Saturday afternoon showdown with Putnam County foe Kalida that will begin with an 11am JV inside the Supreme Court and can be heard on https://christiannetcast.com/listen/player.asp?station=zsportslive2
“All and all it was a win but we have lots to work on and get better. I was very pleased with Savannah Recker’s game, she played great defense and knocked down some outside shots for us when we seemed to be struggling on offense” finished Yant’s thoughts on the victory.
Box Score:
OG (63):
Liv Grothause 3
Madie Liebrecht 7
Savannah Recker 7
Myka Aldrich 13
Katie Kaufman 18
Carlie Brinkman 8
Kaitlyn Kimmet 2
Gracie Lammers 2
Megan Horstman 3
3PT: 4 (Recker 2, M. Liebrecht, Horstman)
FT: 11/20
TO: 24
Van Buren (35):
Maddie Hudock 3
Anna Durliat 4
Bylee Ponn 6
Brooklyn Wilkin 20
Ashlee Deitrick 2
3PT: 1 (Hudock)
FT: 2/9
TO: 38
JV: Ottawa Glandorf 71-21
– Madison McKee 14, Liv Grothause 16, Greta Liebrecht 12 pts