Danville boys start season with three straight victories

The Danville boys’ basketball team started the season with three straight victories.

Ashton Spaulding hit a three-pointer late in the game, then two free throws with six seconds left to ice the game and help Danville pull out an exciting 56-55 victory over host Mount Gilead in a Knox Morrow Athletic Conference game Dec. 10.

The Blue Devils trailed by five at halftime (30-25) and three (42-39) at the end of three quarters but were able to rally and pull out the victory in its opening game of the season. Spaulding’s trey with 22 seconds left put the Devils up 56-52. After Danville forced an Indian turnover, Spaulding iced the victory with two free throws with six seconds left.

Danville had three players score in double figures, led by Parker Proper with 17. Wesley Payne added 12, while Spaulding had 11. Carson Proper and Owen Gronberg added six points each.

The Blue Devils picked up their second KMAC victory by beating Centerburg, 48-42, on Dec. 13.

Then, on Dec. 15, the Devils jumped out to a big lead early and cruised to a 76-52 victory over Granville Christian. Danville led 22-9 after one quarter and never looked back.

Parker Proper and Carson Proper each scored 18 points to lead the Devils. Aidan Mickley added 14, while Payne had nine.

Wrestling

The Danville wrestling squad had several strong placings in the Hillsdale Austin Smiley tournament on Dec. 13.

Camden Horn was the top Blue Devil wrestler, finishing second in the 126-pound weight class. Horn picked up two decisions in pool play, then won a 17-1 decision to advance to the finals. There, the sophomore fell by pin to Vincentzo Peretti of Wooster.

Jonathan Stephens got two pins to finish fourth at 106, while Logan Joseph (138), Cooper Baldridge (144) and Carter Wittel (285) all finished fifth.