The Swanton Lady Bulldogs rebounded from a 14-9 first quarter deficit to take a one-point lead, 26-25, over the Otsego Lady Knights by the end of the half and then really got busy. Senior Emma Crow led a third quarter offensive explosion, scoring 11 of her team’s 25 points and Swanton went on to crush Otsego 63-38 in a Semi-Final game of the Bob Fisher Holiday Classic played at the Kevin J. McQuade Gymnasium last Friday. The defense responded in the second half as well, holding the Knights to just 13 points.
Crow led all players with a career-high 21 points, including four shots from downtown, while fellow senior Olivia Gowing tossed in 14 points, with two bombs of her own. Samantha Lehr scored 13 points for Otsego and Jocelyn Cornell added eight.
Swanton Lady Bulldogs: 9-17-25-12 = 63 Emma Crow (21), Olivia Gowing (14), Peighton Manning (9), Ava Keiser (6), Alexia Ostrander (5), Carli Lagrange (4), Lauren Bettinger (2), Miranda Yeager (2)
Click on the link above to access photos from the game. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
Photo: Emma Crow rises above the Otsego triple-team defense to score two of her game-high and career-high 21 points.
The Delta Panthers’ offense scored early and often while their defense clamped down on the Swanton Bulldog offense en route to a 49-18 victory in the 2023 Bob Fischer Holiday Classic JV Boys Championship game at Swanton High School. Delta led 29-10 at halftime and increased their advantage after each of the final two quarters to bring home the trophy. Derek Sargent Jr. topped the Panthers and all players with 11 points and Zeb Kramer scored nine. Isaiah Bolyard and Drew Koder each scored six points for the Bulldogs.
Delta Panthers: 19-10-8-12 = 49 Derek Sargent Jr. (11), Zeb Kramer (9), Tyson Bower (6), Kade Lintermoot (6), Vincent Martinez (5), Jadon Lohman (4), Gary Valentine (4), Ashton Alig (2)
Swanton Bulldogs” 8-2-3-5 = 18 Isaiah Bolyard (6), Drew Koder (6), Conner Mitchey (3), Dennis Robinson (3)
Click on the link above to access photos from the game. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
Photo: Delta Panthers JV Boys Basketball – 2023 Bob Fisher Holiday Classic Champions
The Swanton Bulldog varsity rallied from a halftime deficit to beat the Maumee Panthers 51-43 in the semi-finals of the 2023 Bob Fisher Classic played in the Robert L. Fisher Gymnasium. In the finals, played at Swanton High School, the Bulldogs dropped a 49-40 decision to the Ottawa Hills Green Bears.
Click on the link above to access photos from the game versus Maumee. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
Photo: Evan Reinhard challenges the Maumee defense inside and draws the foul
Trailing by one point entering the second quarter, the Lady Bulldogs outscored the Otsego Lady Knights 13-2 to grab a 10-point lead at halftime. Swanton kept the momentum going through the third quarter, tacking on seven more points to their advantage and never looked back, defeating Otsego 39-22 to advance to the JV Girls championship game of the Bob Fisher Classic. Carli Lagrange topped all players with 15 points and Lauren Bettinger added 10. Gracie Zsigray and Cailyn Lorenz led the Lady Knights with five points each.
Otsego Lady Knights: 7-2-5-8 = 22 Gracie Zsigray (5), Cailyn Lorenz (5), Summer Olsen (4), Brooke Bergman (3), Mackenzie Shirkey (2), Ella Hartman (2) Ava Weaver (1)
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Photo: Carli Lagrange puts up a floater for two of her game-high 15 points.
Isaiah Bolyard and Owen Hurst combined to sink three critical free throws in the final seconds of double overtime as the Swanton JV Boys held off the Maumee JV Panthers 33-30 to advance to the championship game of the 2023 Bob Fisher Classic. Playing in the namesake Robert L. Fisher Gymnasium, the former Swanton High School venue, affectionately known as the “Pit”, the Bulldogs were able to keep their composure after the Panthers tied at the game at 28 in the first overtime with a put back of an airball at the buzzer. Swanton was also able to survive their feast or famine offense that saw them score 24 points in quarters one and three then just two points in quarters two and four. Bolyard led all players with 16 points and Dennis Robinson had 13. Paris James and Brock Heard each had seven points for Maumee.
Maumee Panthers: 6-4-7-9-2-2 = 30 Paris James (7), Brock Heard (7), Jack Cahill (6), Owen Kennedy (4), Keaton McCullough (2), Aiden Boyer (2), Abram Sutherland (2)
Swanton Bulldogs: 15-0-9-2-2-5 – 33 Isaiah Bolyard (16), Dennis Robinson (13), Drew Koder (3), Owen Hurst (1)
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Photo: Isaiah Bolyard takes aim at the foul line in the second overtime.
It was a rough start for the Evergreen Vikings boys in their road basketball game against the Delta Panthers Thursday night. Thanks to poor shooting and sloppy ball handling, the Vikings found themselves down 11-5 after the first quarter and searching for answers for their offense. That answer came in the form of sophomore Troy Manz who stepped up by draining three shots from beyond the arc in the second quarter and added 10 more points after halftime to lead Evergreen over Delta 50-37. Manz’s first half scoring pulled the Vikings within one-point at 23-22 and he made two more treys in the third quarter to finish the Evergreen comeback for the 13-point victory. Manz topped all players with 21 points. Alex York scored 10 for the Panthers.
Delta Panthers: 11-12-7-7 = 37 Alex York (10), Jude Gibbons (6), Luke Reinhard (6), Justin Ruple (5), Tyler Ruple (3), Tyson Bower (3), Wyatt Gibbons (2), John Brasher (2)
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Photo: Troy Manz sinks a three-pointer from the corner
In the first game of a Thursday night basketball double-header at Delta High School, the Delta Lady Panthers and the Evergreen Lady Vikings played an extremely physical game where virtually every shot attempt within 10-12 feet of the basket was met with a blow to the body, a slash on the arm or a hand in the face, forcing both teams to rely heavily on outside shooting. In the final tally, Delta made seven three-pointers to Evergreen’s four, for a difference of nine points and defeated the Lady Vikings by that same nine-point margin, 49-40.
The game was tight through the first half with the Lady Vikings holding a slim 22-21 lead. In the second half, Delta senior Grace Munger took control of the contest by scoring 16 of her game-high 21 points, including a shot from behind the arc and four free throws. Evergreen had multiple opportunities to keep up with the scoring pace but faltered at the foul line, hitting only 8 of 26 attempts for 30.7 percent. Delta shot 58.8 percent, with 10 of 17 attempts.
Delta Lady Panthers: 15-6-16-12 = 49 Grace Munger (21), Alani Haas (7), Kate Friess (6), Ashlyn Lamb (5), Keagyn Gillen (4), Olivia Smith (2)
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It has been almost two years since the Swanton community had to say goodbye to former Swanton High School teacher and coach, Joe D. Kahl. But for those who knew Joe and were witness to the impact he had on so many lives through his tireless community service efforts over the many years, his presence still remains and his legacy and spirit of “giving back” lives on.
Much of his benevolent works and generosity took place behind the scenes, unknown to most of the public. However, at this time of year, between the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, Joe stepped out from behind the curtain and worked with the Salvation Army, coordinating the Red Kettle Drive at the Swanton Kroger. He spent countless hours ensuring that when the final numbers were totaled, Swanton, Joe’s community, would outshine all others. Fueling his own drive was the fact that all money donated in Swanton would be spent in the Swanton area. To honor Joe and his outstanding contributions to the Salvation Army of Northwest Ohio, a Gold Kettle bearing his name was placed in the Swanton Kroger vestibule for this, the final week of the Red Kettle Drive.
Below are some thoughts of Melody William, Fiscal Manager and Field Representative of Service Units for the local Salvation Army who enlisted Joe to work for the cause.
“In my thirty years with The Salvation Army, I have worked with hundreds of amazing people. There are, however, a handful that were so special that they made a lasting impact on my life. Joe was one of those people. When he committed to something, he was ALL IN. He spent his entire life going ALL IN with everything he did. His work with The Salvation Army was only a single chapter in his lifelong quest to help people.
When I first asked Joe to work with our beneficiaries, helping them with their rent and utilities, he agreed to do it “as long as I don’t have to do kettles”. I promised him that we had someone to raise the money through kettles, we only needed him to spend the money helping people in need in Swanton. One week before kettles started, my volunteer came down with a serious health issue and had to pull out. I called Joe in a panic. I told him “I know I promised you would not have to do kettles, but could you help me find someone who would? He said, “no problem, I will do it”. Now historically, we raised between $5,000 and $6,000 each year. Joe raised $15,000 in his first year!
At that point, we were off to the races. Joe took it on with the fervor that only Joe could do. If he didn’t have someone scheduled, he rang the bell himself. On Christmas Eve, he donned a tux as a thank you to the community for their generosity. We have 13 Kroger’s in the five-county area we serve, and Joe wanted the Kroger in Swanton to be the top kettle raiser. And most years the Kroger in Swanton was the #1 kettle raiser.
I’ve heard from several people that when they hear that bell ringing, they think of Joe. I DO TOO! I consider myself blessed that I got to know and work with such an incredible man.”
Photo: Swanton residents Danielle and Harvey Marvin were the first to man the Gold Kettle this week
The Evergreen Vikings Bowling team built a 102-pin cushion after two games and bowled well enough in the Baker Games portion of the match to get past the Delta Panthers 2125-2060 on Monday at the Swanton Sports Center. Michael Laver of the Vikings bowled a 278 for the high game of the match and Brody Waugh of the Panthers rolled a two-game 433 score for the match’s high series.
Delta Panthers: Brody Waugh (221 + 212 = 433), Konrad Hawkins (158 + 154 = 312), Aaron Mora (177 + 124 = 301), Ethan Cone (165 + 98 = 263), Carter Mitchell (146), Cody Stricker (137), Baker Games (162 + 158 + 148 = 468) Total = 2060
Evergreen Vikings: Michael Laver (142 + 278 = 420), Thomas Baker (194 + 177 = 371), Xaviar Ronibette (183 + 163 = 346), Makayla McKenzie (174 + 132 = 306), Isaac Hansel (133), Lance Vance (118), Baker Games (171 + 117 + 143 = 431) Total = 2125
Photo: Top Bowlers Brody Waugh (433) and Michael Laver (420)
On Saturday, a large crowd gathered at the noon hour in Swanton Cemetery on Main Street for a ceremony called Wreaths Across America. The mission of Wreaths Across America is simply stated, “Remember the fallen. Honor those who serve. Teach the next generation the value of freedom.” The ceremony began with a Pledge of Allegiance followed by the National Anthem wonderfully performed by Dawn Collins.
Organized by the members of the Swanton American Legion Murbach-Siefert Post #479 and chaired by Legionnaire John Schmidt (Retired Army), monetary donations were gathered starting months ago to purchase a wreath for every former military veteran who was laid to rest in the one of the Village’s two cemeteries, including St. Richard’s Cemetery on Dodge Street. On this day, December 16, 2023, dozens of volunteers in Swanton joined the more than two million volunteers and supporters who gathered to Remember, Honor and Teach at more than 4,000 participating locations in all 50 states, at sea and abroad. Swanton volunteers, which, like the men and women they honored, were from all walks of life and placed wreaths at more than 700 gravesites.
Following opening remarks by Mr. Schmidt, specific wreaths were laid for each branch of the United States military, Army, Marine Corp, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Merchant Marines, Coast Guard and the more than 93,000 service members whose last known status was either Prisoner of War (POW) or Missing in Action (MIA). When the last specific wreath had been laid, John continued with his remarks.
“We encourage every volunteer here today to place a wreath on a veteran’s grave to say that veteran’s name, speak the name and take a moment to thank them for their service to our country. That’s a small act that goes a long way toward keeping the memory of our veterans alive. Remember we are not here to decorate graves. We are here to remember not their deaths but their lives. Each wreath is a gift of appreciation from a grateful America. These wreaths symbolize our honor to those that served or are serving in the armed forces of our great nation and to their families who endure the sacrifices every day on our behalf. To our children, we want you to understand that the freedoms you enjoy today have not been free but have come with a cost that someday, you may have to pay yourselves. As a nation, standing together, we can defeat terrorism, hatred and in justice. And thanks to our veterans, we have the freedom to do just that,” he said.
Swanton resident and Swanton High School graduate, Class of 1994, Master Sergeant David Harrison of the 180th Tactical Fighter Wing was introduced and spoke next. In his speech, the 27-year military veteran quoted our 40th president, Ronald Reagan. “Veterans know better than anyone else the price of freedom for they suffered the scars of war. We can offer no better tribute than to protect what they have won for us,” said President Reagan. MSgt Harrison continued, “Today with a small act we are doing just that. Today we come together, community members, young and old, and volunteers, here at the Swanton Cemetery to fulfill the mission of Wreaths Across America. To remember and honor our servicemen and women as we continue to teach and inspire our youth by helping them better understand the value of their freedom and the importance of honoring those who have served and sacrificed to protect those freedoms.”
At the end of Master Sergeant Harrison’s speech, the color guard was ordered to present the colors and the day, the bittersweet moment and the reason that brought us all together, was beautifully and emotionally represented when Rick Maynhart, Commander of the Swanton American Legion, brilliantly performed “Taps” on his bugle.
When the ceremony ended, the volunteers fanned out across the cemetery to carry out their duty. Once the final wreath was laid, two school buses, one from Springfield and one from Swanton, transported the volunteers to St. Richard’s Cemetery to complete the mission.
Click on the link above to access photos from the ceremony. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
Photo: Specific Wreaths were laid for each branch of the United States Military
Fulton County Ohio Media 