Christmas Week Boys Athletics Wrap Up

Paulding Holds Off Wayne Trace 75-70 in Friday Night Battle at The Palace

Paulding edged Wayne Trace in a hard-fought non-conference boys basketball battle Friday night, pulling out a 75-70 victory at The Palace on December 19. The win improved Paulding to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in the GMC, while Wayne Trace slipped to 2-3 on the season.

The Panthers set the tone early, taking a 17-13 lead after the first quarter and carrying a 38-32 advantage into halftime. Raiders answered in the third quarter, outscoring Paulding 18-13 to cut the deficit to one heading into the final period. Paulding responded with its strongest quarter of the night in the fourth, pouring in 24 points to hold off the Raiders’ late push.

Wayne Trace was led by a pair of big performances from the Maenle-Clemens duo. Lance Maenle posted 26 points on 9-of-14 shooting from the floor and added eight free throws, while Carter Clemens poured in a game-high 27 points, hitting five three-pointers and going 6-for-6 at the line. Tanner Laukhuf chipped in 11 points, and Caden Sinn added five as the Raiders had four players reach double figures or near-double digits.

Paulding countered with balanced scoring and steady production throughout the lineup. Tyson Manz led the Panthers with 21 points, while Jalen Manz followed closely with 17. Blake Rhonehouse added 15 points, and Xander Kuckuck contributed 13, giving Paulding four players in double figures. The Panthers also held a rebounding edge, grabbing 26 defensive boards to limit second-chance opportunities.

Despite Wayne Trace’s strong shooting night and a valiant fourth-quarter effort, Paulding’s depth and late-game execution proved to be the difference, allowing the Panthers to escape The Palace with a five-point road win.

In junior varsity action earlier in the evening, Paulding also picked up a win, defeating Wayne Trace 42-38.

Adams Central Squeaks Past Woodlan

Adams Central edged Woodlan 57-55 in a tightly contested boys basketball game Friday night, December 19, in Woodburn, handing the Warriors a narrow home loss in a game that came down to the final possessions.

The Jets took an early 19-14 lead after the first quarter and Woodlan responded tipping the scale going halftime, 27-33. Adam Central responded after the break, outscoring the Warriors 8-13 in the third quarter in a tight race heading into the final frame of the night 41-40, Woodlan’s lead. Fourth quarter was heated, but Adams Central executed late to reclaim the lead and seal the two-point victory.

Woodlan was led by Camden Brooks, who finished with 15 points, while C.J. Bullock added 13. Keaton Delagrange contributed nine points in the paint, and Nathaniel Peters added five. Alex Art and Tyler Friend each chipped in timely buckets as the Warriors spread their scoring across the lineup.

Adams Central was paced by Deathe and Reber, who each scored 18 points to lead the Jets’ offensive attack. Johnson followed with 13 points, helping Adams Central overcome Woodlan’s third-quarter surge and close out the game at the free-throw line in the closing minutes.

Despite a strong effort on their home floor, Woodlan was unable to convert on a final push as Adams Central escaped with the 57-55 win in a closely fought nonconference matchup.

Wayne Trace Earns Five Placers at Lincolnview Wrestling Tournament

The Wayne Trace Raiders opened their wrestling season in dominant fashion at the Lincolnview Invitational, bringing home five placers—including three champions. Camden Kimmel (113), Colton Kimmel (120), and Benjamin Gurney (132) each captured titles, while Brandon Hire finished 3rd at 113 and Dylan Hershberger placed 4th at 175.

In the 113‑pound weight class, Camden Kimmel controlled the mat from start to finish. He opened the day with a 1:00 pin over Brentley Linderman (Delphos St. John’s), followed by a 28‑second fall against Eli Guilford (Hicksville) and a 1:17 pin over Heath Calvelage (Van Wert). Kimmel then defeated teammate Brandon Hire by tech fall, 15‑0, before shutting out Grant Grubb (Crestview) 6‑0 in the championship match to secure the title.

Also at 113, Brandon Hire began his day with a 5:39 pin over Joshua Franklin (Hicksville). After falling to Grubb by tech fall (20‑5), Hire rebounded with a 3‑1 win over Dylan Melson (Shawnee). He later faced teammate Camden Kimmel before finishing the day with a 2:27 pin over Heath Calvelage to claim third place.

In the 120‑pound division, Colton Kimmel powered his way to the finals with four straight pins: 1:48 over Eliza Lawrence (Wapakoneta), 1:26 over Kanon Freed (Hicksville), 41 seconds against Max Wagner (Van Buren), and 22 seconds over Landon Shartzer (Paulding). He capped off his championship run with a 21‑4 tech fall victory over Gabe Ditto of Shawnee.

At 132 pounds, Ben Gurney delivered one of the day’s most impressive performances. He opened with a 31‑second pin over Cory Wannemacher (Spencerville) and a 38‑second fall against Owen Eichman (Van Buren). Gurney continued his streak with a 1:37 pin over Noah Calvelage (Delphos St. John’s) before securing the championship with a 1:48 fall against Karson Crites of Hicksville.

Sophomore Dylan Hershberger added a fourth‑place finish at 175 pounds. Hershberger pinned Aiden Delgado (Van Wert) in 1:00, followed by a 1:11 fall over Ivan Martinez (Paulding) and a 3:33 pin against Gabe Myers (Shawnee). He was later defeated by Jaden Green (Parkview) and fell in the placement match to Tommy Basinger (Van Buren).

Other Wayne Trace competitors included Seth Rosswurm (1‑2), Waylon McCord (2‑2), Nathan Benschneider, and Evan Benschneider.

It was a strong season opener for the Raider wrestlers, who look to build on this momentum throughout the year! Good luck, Raiders!