SPLITTING THE DEFENSE … Swanton sophomore Brady Haselman tries to go between the Wauseon defenders on a drive.
PHOTOS BY RENEA KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
SKILLED BALL HANDLING … Riley Riegsecker (above) tallied a game-high 21 points to lead the Indians’ rally in a 43-37 win at Swanton to start NWOAL play.
By: Jesse Davis
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jesse@thevillagereporter.com
SWANTON (January 8, 2026) – The Wauseon Indians took down the Swanton Bulldogs after clawing back from an eight-point deficit in Northwest Ohio Athletic League basketball play Thursday in Swanton.
The game started slowly, with both teams sizing each other up until the Indians struck first with a trey from senior Collin Mennetti and a basket from junior Riley Riegsecker, while Swanton junior Gio Ruiz put in his own basket to bring the score to 5-2.
Another five for Swanton and two for Wauseon left the teams tied at seven to end the first period.
Junior Bulldog Evan Reinhard started the scoring in the second quarter with a three-pointer before a mad scramble featuring three Indian shots ended in a foul on Reinhard, giving senior Jack Alstaetter his opening to sink a pair of free throws.
Four free throws across three Indian appearances at the line and a trey from Bulldog sophomore Brady Haselman and a basket from Reinhard put the score at 15-13.
Ruiz managed to sink a basket while also drawing a foul and making his one free throw, immediately followed by a basket from Swanton senior Brady O’Shea. A final free throw from Alstaetter brought up halftime and a score of 20-14, in favor of Swanton.
The third quarter began with a flurry of back-to-back scoring from both teams, with Wauseon racking up two baskets and four free throws to Swanton’s two and two, narrowing the gap to 26-22.
A trey from Riegsecker was followed by a basket from Ruiz, before the Bulldogs called a timeout as Riegsecker was setting up for free throws, making one.
A final flurry of action as the clock ran down saw a Haselman basket immediately followed by a basket and subsequent free throw from Riegsecker, before Reinhard threw up a buzzer-beating three to give Swanton a 33-29 lead going to the final frame.
The teams traded single baskets to begin the final period as Wauseon (4-6, 1-0 NWOAL) stepped up its physicality and went on a tear, scoring 10 uncontested points via three baskets and four free throws, taking a 41-35 lead with under 30 seconds remaining.
The Bulldogs (4-7, 0-1 NWOAL) managed one final basket from Reinhard, tying him with Haselman for 12 points scored, before senior Collin Mennetti sank two free throws and extended Wauseon’s win to 43-37.
Riegsecker finished with a game-high 21 to front Wauseon, who outscored the Bulldogs 14-4 in the fourth quarter.
WAUSEON (43) – X. Molina 5; Mennetti 8; Alstaetter 5; Riegsecker 21; Vasvery 0; Shehorn 4; Rodriguez 0; Totals: 9-2-19 – 43
SWANTON (37) – O’Shea 2; Hurst 2; Ruiz 9; Mitchey 0; Bolyard 0; Reinhard 12; Haselman 12; Lemons 0; Totals: 12-3-4 – 37
WHS 7 7 15 14 – 43
SHS 7 13 13 4 – 37