The last time the Putnam County League had co-champs was in 2011-12 when Columbus Grove and Leipsic tied with 6-1 records. A balanced Putnam County League this year had Ottoville and Pandora Gilboa claiming a title share with a 5-2 record with Miller City and Leipsic a half game behind with a 4-2 record. Kalida finished 5th with a 4-3 record. The last time the PCL had tri champs (which would have been the case if all games were played) was in 1997-98 when Continental, Kalida, and Fort Jennings shared the League title with 6-1 records.
Leipsic Mason Brandt was named PCL player of the year and Pandora Gilboa Head Coach Mike Lee was named PCL Coach of the year. Pandora Gilboa was also the Blanchard Valley Conference champion. The PCL first team was all seniors with Leipsic, Kalida, Ottoville, Miller City and Columbus Grove all taking spots. Continental’s Senior Gavin Huff and Junior Konnor Knipp Williams were named PCL Honorable Mention. Gavin Huff, Andrew Hoeffel and Wyatt Davis were named to the PCL Scholar Athlete list.
In a what might have been tournament Continental bowed out of the OHSAA Division IV Elida Sectional Semifinals when the #11 seeded Pirates lost to #6 seeded Ottoville 47-46 on a pair of made free throws with 6.6 seconds left. Ottoville would go on to claim the sectional title over #4 Pandora Gilboa 44-31 and take the District title with wins over #1 seed Crestview 60-50 and #2 seed Columbus Grove 64-46. The Big Green season would end in the BGSU Regional Semifinals when Division IV AP co champ Tiffin Calvert would defeat them 59-45. Antwerp won the BGSU DIV Regional with a 52-31 win over the Senecas. Antwerp will play TriVillage on Saturday at 2pm in the State Semifinal held at University of Dayton Arena.
Ottawa Glandorf will also be at State as they will play Columbus Africentric on Friday at 10:45 in a Division III State Semifinal at University of Dayton Arena.
–Mike Jones, Sportswriter
