DRIVING THE LANE … Fayette’s Gavin Dombrowski goes through the middle of the Montpelier defense.

PHOTOS BY REBEKAH DELL / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
LOOKING FOR ROOM (February 26, 2026) … Montpelier’s Kade Stewart looks for an opening to get off a shot Thursday night in the Locos’ win over Fayette. VIEW 69 PHOTOS OF THIS CONTEST FOR FREE AT WWW.THEVILLAGEREPORTER.COM

Montpelier 80, Fayette 36

MONTPELIER – Montpelier got off to an impressive start on the tournament trail as the Locos romped past Fayette, 80-36, in a Division VII boys basketball sectional final at “The Railyard”.

The Locos (21-2), who now face Buckeye Border Conference archrival Stryker in a district semifinal contest at Bryan High School on Thursday, March 5, raced out to a 19-8 advantage after the opening eight minutes and pushed it to a 43-21 cushion at halftime.

CJ Fidler poured in 31 points to lead the Locomotives, and Kenneth Smeltzer added 17 points.

Kruez Lichtenwald tossed in 19 points for Fayette, which bows out at 5-17 overall. Mason Leininger and Carter Lavinder tallied six points each for Fayette.

FAYETTE (36) – Dombrowski 2; Schang 0; Cr. Lavinder 0; Leininger 6; Lichtenwald 19; Ca. Lavinder 6; Oehlers 0; Bieber 0; Andrews 3; Johnston 0; Totals: 5-6-8 – 36
MONTPELIER (80) – Stahler 4; Stewart 0; Sharps 6; Fidler 31; M. Smeltzer 8; Hartsock 4; Sommer 2; Bass 6; Richmond 0; K. Smeltzer 17; Riggenbach 2; Totals: 25-7-9 – 80

FHS    8 13 13 2 – 36
MHS 19 24 23 14 – 80

For more local news, see High School Sports Schedule For Thursday, March 26, 2026 (WEATHER PERMITTING).