By: Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
The Col. Crawford Eagles and Eastwood Eagles took each other to the limit Saturday night in the Division III district championship at Ashland University, but it in the long run it was Eastwood that came out victorious 52-44.
Neither team took it easy on each other, as there were five lead changes in the contest, two of which came in the final period.
Eastwood jumped out to an early 15-11 lead, however Col. Crawford pulled within one as Todd Entenmann hit a three at the buzzer, to bring the game within one at 15-14 to close out the first quarter. Entenmann would go on to have a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
The defense for both teams clamped down in the second quarter as Col. Crawford outscored Eastwood 7-6 to go into the half tied at 21.
Eastwood would gain the advantage in the third outscoring Crawford 15-14 to post a 36-35 lead to enter the fourth period. Col. Crawford gained 37-36 advantage early in the fourth, but Eastwood tied the game at 37 on a free throw. With the game tied at 37 Eastwood finished out the game on a 15-7 run to come away with the victory.
Dylan Gulley added 11 points to Col. Crawford’s offensive output.
Seniors playing in their final game for Col. Crawford were Entenmann, Gulley, Dylan Burkhart, Kaleb Koschnick, and Colton Guinther.
Col. Crawford, who at one point in the season was ranked second in the state, finishes out the season with a 23-2 record.
Eastwood featured three players in double digits with Noah Smith leading the way with 12 points. Both Tim Hoodlebrink and Zach Jacoby contributed 11 points.
Eastwood, who now posts a 17-8 record, advances to regionals at Bowling Green State University.
The game was a rematch from last year’s Division III district semifinal in which Col. Crawford won 42-36.