PHOTOS BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
MOVING ON … Xzavier Molina sets his feet to launch a triple for the Indians last Thursday in their sectional final win over Elida.
AVOIDING THE DEFENSE … Jack Altstaetter gets to the hoop for a shot for the Indians. VIEW 58 PHOTOS OF THIS CONTEST FOR FREE AT WWW.THEVILLAGEREPORTER.COM
By: Jesse Davis
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jesse@thevillagereporter.com
WAUSEON (February 26, 2026) – The Wauseon Indians extended a short lead over the Elida Bulldogs after a hard-fought first quarter to come out on top in the OHSAA Division IV sectional final on Thursday night.
The Indians took an early 4-0 lead with baskets from senior Bodie Vasvery and junior Xzavier Molina before play tightened, with the lead changing hands six times including a tie at 11.
Vasvery and Molina each put in a second basket, while junior Riley Riegsecker, who would end up the game’s leading scorer, put in a fadeaway basket and a long trey.
Bulldog senior Jonathan Payne led Elida’s efforts with a pair of baskets to leave Wauseon up 13-12 at the end of the first quarter.
Wauseon took charge in the second quarter, outscoring Elida two to one with all 10 points coming via Riegsecker, with another fadeaway basket, a free throw, a breakaway layup, a basket from behind the backboard, plus a regular basket and subsequent free throw.
Bulldog scoring came thanks to another basket from Payne, a free throw from senior Marcus Hill, and a basket from senior Brody Altenbach to put the Indians’ lead at 23-17.
Riegsecker kept the momentum going after halftime, starting out with a roughly one-third court shot for three and eventually adding another fadeaway basket and, after missing a buzzer-beating trey, drawing a foul and putting in a pair of free throws to end the third quarter.
Wauseon maintained their momentum and as they continued to chew up the clock late in the quarter, the Bulldogs (5-18) shifted their efforts to committing fouls and giving up free throw opportunities to Wauseon in order to ensure they got more chances at shots of their own.
Despite that change, they were unable to close the gap. In total, Wauseon put up 12 points to Elida’s 11, largely from Payne with a basket and four free throws, handing the Indians the win, 48 to 37.
Indians head coach Chad Burt said the Elida team brought a very physical play style they expected but were not quite prepared for in the first quarter, improving throughout the game.
He said the Wauseon (8-15) team played a tough schedule this season, and that both their seven-win record and Elida’s five-win record were misleading, calling the night’s win “awesome.”
“We’re looking forward to coming in tomorrow, preparing for a really good Van Wert team, and we get another day,” Burt said.
“And as they say come tournament time, ‘survive and advance,’ and I think that’s kind of what it looked like tonight.”
ELIDA (37) – Payne 14; Bruin 0; Tickle 6; Hill 6; Jostpille 5; Altenbach 4; Hinkle 2; Totals: 12-1-10 – 37
WAUSEON (48) – X. Molina 4; Mennetti 8; Altstaetter 2; Riegsecker 25; Fisher 3; Vasvery 6; Totals: 14-4-8 – 48
EHS 12 5 9 11 – 37
WHS 13 10 13 12 – 48
For more local news, see High School Sports Schedule For Thursday, March 26, 2026 (WEATHER PERMITTING).