For the first 13 minutes of Friday night’s Van Wert/Kenton basketball game, the Cougars seemed to be in trouble. From then on, however, Van Wert dominated at both ends for a 66-37 win. The Cougars are now 11-7 overall and 3-4 in the WBL. The Wildcats are 7-12 and 1-6.
Kenton won the first quarter 15-10 and was still up 22-17 with 3:03 left in the second. However, after a somewhat emotional timeout called by Coach Ben Laudick, the game turned 180 degrees, and it was all over for Kenton.
Van Wert had an 11-0 run during those three minutes — free throw by junior Kaden Shaffer, layup by senior Aidan Pratt, 3-pointer by senior Carson Smith, old-style 3-point play by Pratt, layup by Pratt (assist by senior Nate Phillips) at the buzzer — 28-22, Cougars, at the half, thanks to an 18-7 second quarter.
“There was a small explosion time out by Coach Laudick, and our seniors responded led by Nate Phillips,” said Laudick of the second quarter turnaround. “He (Phillips) set the tone defensively coming out of that time out. I feel like the guys responded well, and they did what they’re supposed to do.”
“(Offensively) we told them the ball and yourself have to move,” added Laudick. “Early on in the game the ball would move, but no one was cutting and getting to the correct spots. Once we made that adjustment, guys were cutting to the right spots, and they were sharing the basketball a little bit better. When the ball and you move, it’s difficult to guard you, especially in a zone.”
The third quarter was even worse for Kenton. Van Wert won those eight minutes 18-4, highlighted by six points apiece by senior sub AJ Proffitt (two triples) and Pratt — 46-26, Cougs, after three.
The fourth quarter started with a 14-4 Van Wert run — old-style 3-point play by Pratt, put-back by Shaffer, two Pratt free throws, steal and dunk by Pratt, layup by Pratt, corner three by Pratt — 60-30 with 4:07 left in the game. Coach Laudick then benched his starters.
Van Wert dominated the stats. The Cougars out-shot the Wildcats from the field 50 percent (25 of 50) t o 27 percent (12 of 44), including from long range — 30 percent (6 for 20) to 23 percent (5 for 22). Van Wert was also better from the free throw line — 63 percent (10 of 16) to 50 percent (8 of 16). The Cougs won the boards 34-21 and had fewer turnovers, 12-14.
Pratt came into the game leading Van Wert in six categories — field goal percentage (55 percent), 3-point percentage (50 percent), free throw percentage (68 percent), points per game (19.76), rebounds per game (8.94), and total blocks (34). He had another stellar outing here with 31 points on 12-of-16 field goal shooting (one trey) and 6-of-8 free throw shooting. By quarter, his points broke down at 6-7-6-12.
“He (Pratt) is a special player, a super competitor,” said Laudick. I’m blessed to be his coach and not be an opposing coach that has to go against him. Credit goes to his teammates as well. They know that when he gets things going a little bit that we try to get him the ball, and they feed off of that. He attracts a lot of attention, so he’s also willing to help his teammates get open shots and those sorts of things.”
Fifteen Cougars played in the game, and nine of them scored. Pratt had major scoring help from Smith and Proffitt with 9 each.
Kenton scoring was led by senior Colby Quay, junior Ethan Yoder, and senior Tyson Lawrence with 10, 10, and 9.
Box score
Kenton 15 7 4 11 - 37
Van Wert 10 18 18 20 - 66
Kenton (37)
Tyson Lawrence 3-9 1-2 9, Ethan Yoder 4-13 1-2 10, Colby Quay 3-9 2-2 10, Seth Manns 0-1 0-0 0, Parker Rarey 1-3 1-2 3, Blain Bushong 0-2 0-0 0, Carson DeLong 0-0 0-0 0, Dawson Miller 1-7 1-4 3, Manny Wilson 0-0 2-2 2, Jayson Dyer 0-0 0-2 0. Totals 12-44 8-16 37.
Van Wert (66)
Nate Phillips 1-5 1-2 3, Luke Wessell 2-4 1-2 5, Carson Smith 4-8 0-0 9, Garett Gunter 1-4 0-0 2, Aidan Pratt 12-16 6-8 31. Kaden Shaffer 1-3 1-2 3, AJ Proffitt 3-7 0-0 9, Gage Stemen 0-1 0-0 0, Rylan Miller 0-0 0-0 0, Briston Wise 0-0 0-0 0, Conner Campbell 0-0 1-2 1, Colin Haggerty 1-1 0-0 3, Drew Laudick 0-0 0-0 0, Nate Gearhart 0-1 0-0 0, Heet Patel 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 25-50 10-16 66.
3-point shooting: K 5/22 (Lawrence 2, Quay 2, Yoder), VW 6/20 (Proffitt 3, Smith, Pratt, Haggerty). Rebounds: K 21, VW 34. Turnovers: K 14, VW 12. Fouls: K 14, VW 13.
JV score: VW 63, K 32.
Original Article Courtesy to Times Bulletin