Fulton County Ohio Media

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Playing in the final regular season home game of his very impressive high school basketball career, Eli Keifer scored 24 points, 12 in the first quarter, to lead the Evergreen Vikings to a 56-39 victory over the Swanton Bulldogs on Friday night in the Big House.  The Vikings jumped out to a 22-7 advantage over the Bulldogs in the first quarter and were never seriously threatened for the rest of the game.  Riley Dunbar helped the Evergreen cause with 10 points, including two thunderous dunks.  Charlie Wood led the Bulldogs with 20 points.

Swanton Bulldogs:  7-15-7-10 = 39    Charlie Wood (20), Brady O’Shea (5), Brennon Mersing (4), Logan Young (3), Isaiah Bolyard (3), Kaden Nofziger (3), Evan Reinhard (1)

Evergreen Vikings:  22-13-12-9 = 56    Eli Keifer (24), Riley Dunbar (10), Troy Manz (9), Drew Gillen (4), Hunter Vaculik (3), Tyson Woodring (2), Will Ruetz (2), Blade Walker (2)

The victory puts the Vikings’ record at 17-5 for the regular season and 4-3 in the NWOAL, good for fourth place.  Swanton finishes with an overall record of 7-15 and 2-5 in the league, tied for fifth place.  Both teams now begin post season play with 11^th Seed Swanton traveling to 4^th Seed Liberty Center on Tuesday at 7:00 PM.  The 3^rd Seed Vikings will be at home on Friday at 7:00 PM to play the winner of the game between the 6^th Seed Delta Panthers and the 7^th Seed Paulding Panthers.

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: Eli Keifer nailing one of his four three-pointers on the night

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Delta’s Grace Munger sank four out of four free throws down the stretch to help hold off a hard-charging Eastwood team in a 52-44 victory in a DIII Girls Basketball Sectional Semi-Final game at Delta High School on Thursday night.  The Lady Panthers had roared out to 26-9 first quarter lead as Munger and Abby Todd did their best Caitlin Clark imitation by draining five three-point shots on five attempts.  However, the Lady Eagles of the Northern Buckeye Conference responded in kind, scoring the first 14 points of the second quarter while shutting down the Delta offense, allowing only two points and trailed the home team 28-23 at halftime.

“You have to give them (Eastwood) credit.  We knew they were a good team.  They didn’t give up and kept fighting,” said Panther coach Kelsey Gillen.  “But we hung in the there, and made key baskets when we needed them.”

The second half was a tight battle with Eastwood eventually drawing within two points in the fourth quarter.  Still four points behind with time running down, the Eagles were forced to foul.  With Munger’s four free throws and two more from Kendall Sprow, the Lady Panthers were able to seal the win.   Munger led the Lady Panthers with 15 points.  Kayla Buehler scored 20 points for Eastwood.

The win allows Delta to move on to the Sectional Championship game against the Tinora Lady Rams at Tinora High School on Saturday at 7:00 PM.  It also delivered a proud moment for the six seniors, Emma Demaline, Grace Munger, Kate Friess, Alaini Haas, Kendall Sprow, Ashley Lamb and Olivia Smith who were able to walk off their home court for the final time in their high school basketball careers with a playoff victory.

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: Grace Munger at the foul line in the 4th quarter

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On Tuesday, in their final home game of the 2023-2024 basketball season, the Swanton Bulldogs fell 50-48 in overtime to the Stryker Panthers when a potential game-tying shot bounced off the rim as the buzzer sounded. With the game tied at 47-47, both teams struggled from the field in the extra session with neither making a shot.  However, the visiting Panthers hit three free throws to the Bulldogs’ one to come away with the victory.  Charlie Wood led Swanton with 14 points while Michael Donovan paced Stryker with 20 points.

With the loss, the Bulldogs drop to 7-14 on the season.  Swanton travels to Evergreen on Friday night to take on the Vikings in the “Big House” to finish the league and regular season.  Next Tuesday, February 27^th, the Bulldogs will be in Liberty Center to open the OHSAA DIII Sectional Tournament.

Stryker Panthers:  10-15-13-9-3 = 50    Michael Donovan (20), Daniel Donovan (11), Jacob Cadwell (7), William Donovan (6), Jacob Myers (3), Gavin LaBo (3)

Swanton Bulldogs:  11-16-7-13-1 = 48    Charlie Wood (14), Brady O’Shea (13), Evan Reinhard (12), Giovanni Ruiz (8), Brennon Mersing (1)

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: Giovanni Ruiz attacks the basket for two of his eight points.

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Prior to the last regular season home game against the Stryker Panthers, Swanton High School recognized and honored the seniors on the boys’ basketball team and the cheerleading squad.  The seniors were introduced in the following order as a short bio was read by Betty Jo Sadowski.

Jalen Carrizales:  Jalen is being escorted by Josefina and Jesse Carrizales.  While at Swanton High School, Jalen has participated in soccer, track, basketball and choir.  His future plans are to further his carpentry career and join the union.

Brennon Mersing:  Brennen is being escorted by Michael and Courtney Mersing.   While at Swanton High School, Brennon has participated in the National Honor Society, show choir, frosh fest, prom court, basketball, football and baseball.  His future plans are to pursue a career in excavation.

Jonah Rico:  Johnah is being escorted by Sabrina Rico.  While at Swanton High School, Jonah has participated in track, football, yearbook, leadership class and basketball.  His future plans are to go to barber school and then open his own business.

Kaden Nofziger:  Kaden is being escorted by Monica Nofziger.  While at Swanton High School, Kaden has participated in basketball, show choir and football.  His future plans are undecided.

Kylee Nofziger:  Kylee is being escorted by Monica Nofziger.  While at Swanton High School, Kylee has participated in 4H, band, cheerleading and softball.  Her plans are to attend Grace College to get a degree in nursing.

Desiree Poling:  Desiree is being escorted by Amanda Reed and Terry and Jaylynn Poling.  While at Swanton High School, Desiree has participated in cheerleading.  Her future plans are to attend the University of Toledo and major in biology.

Ms. Sadowski ended the ceremony with a small but inspiring speech.

“Tonight, we are honoring our senior basketball players and cheerleaders.  These athletes, in their four year as high school basketball players, have spent over 1000 hours in practices, pregame warm ups, games and off-season conditioning.  The cheerleaders have also given many hours to their sport to perfect their jumps, cheer moves and dance routines.  Many of these athletes have worked on their sport since the First Grade.

Seniors, turn and take a look at your parents who are standing beside you.  Without them, you would not be where you are today.  You need to thank your parents every day for their support, encouragement and love throughout your years here at Swanton.

Senior parents, we want to thank you form doing a wonderful job raising these wonderful young men and women.  They Are an asset to our school and community.  We appreciate all the times you have taken them to practice, camps and games.

John Wooden states, ‘Be more concerned with your character than your reputation.  Because character is what you truly are while your reputations merely what others think you are.  Be true to yourself.  As you walk off this floor for the last time tonight, embrace everything you have learned from this sport, it will help you in the future to be successful.  On this day, years from now, you will not remember the wins and losses of each season, but the people that took this journey with you and never let you look back.’

On behalf of the Swanton schools, community and fans of the Bulldog Nation, we wish you all the best in the future and thank you for all you have done for Swanton schools.  Congratulations and good luck.”

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: Senior Brennon Mersing and parents

The Liberty Center Lady Tigers finished in second place and was followed by the third place Wauseon Lady Indians in the OHSAA DII Sectional Bowling Tournament held last Friday at the River City Bowl-a-Way bowling center in Napoleon.  As a result, both teams advance to the District Tournament this Friday at Interstate Lanes in Rossford.  Also advancing was Swanton Lady Bulldog Emma Leonard who rolled three-game 498 series to qualify as an individual.  AJ Seedorf led Liberty Center with a score of 615 and Kymberlee Yocom had a 597 to lead Wauseon.

Liberty Center Lady Tigers:  AJ Seedorf (232 + 182 + 201 = 615), Vivian Gebers (149 + 159 + 176 = 484), Hannah Roth (151 + 174 + 151 = 476), Cheyenne Miller (154 + 152 + 160 = 466), Annaliese Keene (133 + 192 + 133 = 458), Baker Games (193 + 180 + 114 + 153 + 136 + 148)    Total = 3423

Wauseon Lady Indians:  Kymberlee Yocom (189 + 180 + 228 = 597), Natalie Stevens (204 + 155 + 187 = 546), Brianna Hays (191 + 122 + 156 = 469), Chloe Robertson (129), Substitute (125 + 127 = 252), Baker Games (149 + 184 + 141 + 150 + 150 + 186)    Total = 3403

Swanton Lady Bulldogs:  Emma Leonard (166 + 149 + 183 = 498)

Photo #1: Wauseon Lady Indians Bowling Team Photo #2: Sectional Standings

FIRST TEAM: Emerson Gray – Sr. – Liberty Center,  Kailee Thiel – Sr. – Bryan,  Carys Crossland – So. – Patrick Henry,  Ella Voigt – Sr. – Bryan,  Ada Christman – So. – Patrick Henry,  Kya Seemann – Sr. – Patrick Henry

SECOND TEAM:  Marah Smith – Sr. – Bryan,  Charlee Forward – So. – Archbold,  Kailey Blanton – Sr. – Liberty Center,  Sophia Rupp – So. – Wauseon,  Karsyn Weber – Sr. – Patrick Henry,  Anna Gray – Sr. – Bryan

HONORABLE MENTION:   ARCHBOLD:  Miley Gericke – So.   BRYAN:  Josie Arnold – So.  Ella Rau – Sr.   DELTA:  Kate Friess – Sr.  Grace Munger – Sr.   EVERGREEN: Kennedy Emmitt – Jr.  Addison Ricker – Jr.  Brooke Sintobin – Sr.   LIBERTY CENTER:  Bea Barrett – Sr.  Eliza Jones – Sr.  Nicole Keller – Sr.   PATRICK HENRY:  Addie Schwab – Sr.   SWANTON:  Emma Crow – Sr.  Peighton Manning – Sr.   WAUSEON:  Aizlynn Coronado – So.  Mackenzie Stasa – Jr.  Johanna Tester – Jr.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR:  Emerson Gray – Liberty Center

COACH OF THE YEAR:  Todd Grosjean – Bryan

Photo: Emerson Gray POY

Bowling in the friendly confines of their home bowling center, River City Bowl-a-Way in Napoleon, the Liberty Center Tigers out bowled 11 other teams to win the OHSAA Division II Boys Sectional Championship.  For the 21 games, 15 team and 6 Baker, the Tigers totaled 4340 pins for a 206.7 per game average.  Teams also advancing to the District Tournament this coming Friday at Interstate Lanes in Rossford are the Ottawa-Glandorf Titans (4222), Napoleon Wildcats (4180) and Tinora Rams (3903).  Advancing as an individual is Delta senior Brody Waugh who bowled a three-game 601 series.  Fulton County schools competing were the Evergreen Vikings (7^th – 3444), Delta Panthers (8^th – 3287), Swanton (10^th – 3293) and Wauseon (12^th – 2917).

Liberty Center Tigers:  Landon Amstutz (232 + 211 + 268 = 711), Tim Blanton (249 + 226 + 183 = 658), Wesley Wilhelm (226 + 195 + 213 = 634), Jacob Sexton (192 + 203 + 184 = 579), Joey Wymer (192 + 213 + 173 = 578)

Evergreen Vikings:  Trevor Johnson (203 + 225 + 150 = 578), Makayla McKenzie (193 + 191 + 176 = 560), Michael Laver 9180 + 171 + 171 = 522), Isaac Hansel (167 + 157 = 324), Layne Vance (162 + 136 = 298), Thomas Baker (128), Substitute (103)

Delta Panthers:  Brody Waugh (212 + 172 + 217 = 601), Ethan Cone (145 + 235 + 146 = 526), Konrad Hawkins (166 + 152 + 160 = 478), Jack Tedrick (162 + 166 + 118 = 446), Carte Mitchell (159 + 122 = 281), Substitute (176)

Swanton Bulldogs (Scott Lafferty-Reside (172 + 193 + 177 = 542), Conner Williams (181 + 146 + 200 = 527), Chase Lafferty-Reside (185 + 135 + 177 = 485), Conor Yates (127 + 157 + 147 = 431), Matthew Chovan (156 + 144 = 300), Substitute (116)

Photo #1: Liberty Center Tigers Photo #2: Delta Senior Brody Waugh

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The Delta Panther wrestlers had four individual champions and five runners-up and edged the Wauseon Indians 195.5 to 191.5 to win the 2024 NWOAL Wrestling Title.  Wauseon had three individual champions and four runners-up while host school Liberty Center finished in third place with 152 points, two individual champions and one runner-up.  Results below were provided by Randy Roberts, NWOAL Publicist.

2024 NWOAL Wrestling Meet at Liberty Center

Team Scores

Delta (195.5), Wauseon  (191.5), Liberty Center (152), Archbold (110). Evergreen (64), Swanton (61), Bryan (30), Patrick Henry (22)

Championship Match Results

106 – Carter Stuckey dec. Braedyn Tammerine (LC), 3-2. 113 – Adam Mattin (D)TF 5:14 over Joseph Lugabihl (W). 120 – Tyler Barnes (D) p. Mason Miller (A), 2:45. 126 – Zavian LaFountain dec. Brodie Setmire (E), 4-0. 132 – Drew Matthews (LC) dec. Anthony Hernandez (D), 4-1. 138 – Jack Stubleski (E) dec. Jordan Cook (W), 9-5. 144 – Brodie Dominique (A) won by forfeit over Landon Lintermoot (D). 150 – Benicio Torres dec. Jackson Bartels (LC), 5-3. 157 – Lane Lopez (D) dec. Kahle Albright (W), 6-1. 165 – Daniel Thatcher (D) p. Kale Waxler (W), 1:12. 175 – Grant Richardson (E) dec. Dameon Wolfe (B), 4-2. 190 – Xander Myers (LC) dec. Connor Sintobin (D), 3-0. 215 – Wyat Ripke (A) dec. Cass Chiesa (D), 20-7 MD. 285 – Evan Smigelski (S) dec. Brady Smith (D), 3-1.

Third Place Match Results

106 – Lars Soles (A) def. Thomas Hernandez (D), 7-5. 113 – Adam Foster (LC) wins by default. 120 – Brady Badenhop (LC) def. Mykale Schneider by forfeit. 126 – Richard Flores (D) def. Landon Massie (LC), 5-0. 132 – Tristan Wyse dec. Braylon Miller (W), 4-3. 138 – Donnell Bush (B) def. Eli Farbrother (A), 8-0 MD. 144 – AC Torres p. Eli Borstelman (LC), 2:18. 150 – Parker Cone (D) dec. Mazin Rukieh (S), 1-0. 157 – Ian Grime (A) p. Colton Szcezpanski (LC), 2:07. 165 – Michael Holtsberry (S) dec. Degan Schwaiger (LC), 3-0. 175 – Trent Johnson (PH) dec. Ian Martin (W), 4-0. 190 – Austin Kovar p. Luke Bostelaman (PH), :56. 215 – Cam’ron Kirtz (S) dec. Logan Sifuentes (LC), 8-7. 285 – Braden Like (LC) p. John Flores (W), 1:50. 

Click on the link above to access the more than 400 photos from the tournament. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

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On Senior Night, at home in the fully packed Thunderdome on Friday, the Archbold Blue Streaks put on a shooting clinic, hitting over 63% of their shots to take down the Wauseon Indians and grab a share of first place in the NWOAL Boys Basketball standings.  What was more impressive than their accuracy was that fact they made twice as many shots from outside the arc (14), than they made inside (7).  League scoring leader, senior Cade Brenner, led the way with seven three-pointers and 32 points overall.

“When you have good shooters, and they’re feeling it, sometimes the basket looks a little bigger.  Tonight, when you get confidence and the three-ball’s going in, everybody starts thinking it’s going to go in for them, too.  It was a barrage.  That’s the best way to describe it,” explained Archbold coach Joe Frank.

The Streaks jumped out in front in the first quarter 20-10, hitting six three-pointers, three from Brenner, but cooled off in the second and led just 27-24.  Wauseon kept their comeback going in the third quarter, led by Tyson Rodriguez, and took a 38-37 lead with just under three minutes remaining in the frame.  Archbold responded with a 13-2 run to go on top 50-40 entering the final eight minutes and never looked back.  Brenner had 23 of his game-high 32 points in the second half.

The Blue Streaks’ victory over Wauseon, coupled with Liberty Center’s 43-40 win over Evergreen the same night, creates a log jam at the top of the standings with all three teams holding a 5-1 record.  Next Friday Archbold (5-1/19-2) travels to Patrick Henry (2-4/11-9), Wauseon (5-1/12-8) goes to Bryan (0-6/6-13) and Liberty Center (5-1/13-7) visits Delta (2-4/12-8) to complete the regular season.

Wauseon Indians:  10-14-16-8 = 48    Tyson Rodrigues (15), Trey Parsons (11), Branden Vajen (9), Nicholas Stinner (8), Connor Keefer (5)

Archbold Blue Streaks:  20-7-23-15 = 65   Cade Brenner (32), Jayden Seiler (9), Sonny Phillips (7), Madden Valentine (6), Michah Nofziger (6)

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: Jayden Sieler leads the Blue Streaks onto the court.

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In the final regular season game for both teams, the Liberty Center Lady Tigers defeated the Evergreen Lady Vikings 54-34 with a trapping defense and a balanced scoring offense on Thursday night at Evergreen’s Big House.  Nine different Lady Tigers scored for the visitors, with six different players hitting from beyond the arc in Liberty Center’s 20^th win against just two losses.  They finish second in the NWOAL with a 6-1 record, one game behind league champion 7-0 Bryan.  Evergreen finishes at 11-11 on the season and 0-7 in the league.

Liberty Center Lady Tigers:  11-16-14-13 = 54   Emerson Gray (13), Gracie Miller (11), Bea Barret (11), Elle Mohler (5), Eliza Jones (5), Molly Perry (3), Aletha Fausnight (2), Nicole Keller (2), Addi Zientek (2)

Evergreen Lady Vikings:  5-9-3-17 = 34    Addison Ricker (13), Kennedy Emmitt (7), Lanae Manz (5), Brooke Sintobin (5), Kyla Risner (3), Bailey Lumbrezer (1)

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: Emerson Gray scores inside and draws the foul.