By: Joe Shouse, Sportswriter
HAVILAND – The Wayne Trace Raiders wrapped up the 2018-19 edition of the regular season last Friday. The Ottoville Big Green came calling and the Raiders outlasted them with strong second half play 62-48. With the win the red, white, and blue complete a very impressive 17-5 record to go along with their GMC title. Ottoville left the Palace owning the same 17-5 mark as they enter tournament play.
Wayne Trace opened with a low scoring first quarter lead after eight minutes of action 11-4 and both teams managed 17 points a piece in the second period. Hanging on to a 28-21 margin the Raiders turned it up in the third quarter to outscore the Big Green by ten at 22-12. Wayne Trace entered the fourth frame with a 50-33 advantage and the Putnam County contingent didn’t recover in the final period.
“The second half was much better than the first. Guys stepped up and we shot the ball better and we defended in the second half,” said Wayne Trace Head Coach Jim Linder.
Ottoville entered the contest after play a rare Thursday night game against Tinora which the Big Green won 40-29.
Reid Miller led the Raider offense with 17 points. The junior play maker connected on 6-10 from the two-point area while hitting 5-6 from the free throw line and dishing out five assists.
“Reid played his heart out. Ottoville was aggressive defensively, using their trapping style of play. Reid was beat up and he’s going to be sore tomorrow but he played so well,” said Linder.
The head coach was also impressed by the defensive play of Trae Sinn, Mox Price and Evan Mohr. They had the task of stopping Ottoville’s Josh Thorbahn. The trio did the job; holding Thorbahn to 11 points.
It was the last game at the Palace for the group of five seniors who wore the Raider uniform for the last time at home. Evan Mohr, Josiah Linder, Trae Sinn, Mox Price and Caleb Yenser all played and gave valuable minutes towards the team win.
“I really like this group of kids and our seniors did a good job tonight. I’m proud of each one,” Linder commented.
Joining Miller in the scoring column was Nate Gerber with 14 points, Jace Vining adding 12, Trae Sinn seven, Alex Reinhart five, Mox Price four, Trevor Speice two and Josiah Linder one to round out the Raider scoring.
Gerber, Linder and Reinhart also grabbed seven rebound a piece for the winners. The Raiders won the rebound battle 29-25 with both teams committing nine turnovers.
In the Junior Varsity contest the Raiders picked up their eleventh win in a row, beating Ottoville 44-32. Trevor Sinn led the winners with 17 points with Cameron Sinn adding 9 points. The JV squad complete their season with an impressive 19-3 mark.
