NWOAL SHOWDOWN … Archbold’s Miley Gericke puts the ball on the floor while Ada Christman of Patrick Henry defends.
CLOSE RANGE SHOT … Archbold’s Reagan Wendt gets to the basket for a shot in last week’s game versus Patrick Henry at Archbold High School.
By: Elliot Schneider
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
ARCHBOLD (February 12, 2026) – In a key league matchup between the Patrick Henry Patriots and the Archbold Bluestreaks, the Patriots emerged victorious.
With the win, Patrick Henry clinched back-to-back league championships and capped off an undefeated run through conference play, asserting their dominance over the competition from start to finish.
This wasn’t the only milestone from the contest, as Carys Crossland etched her name into program history. The Patrick Henry standout became the school’s all-time leading scorer, a milestone achievement that underscores the impact she has had on the program and one that certainly should not be overlooked.
However, this wasn’t an easy victory for the Patriots, regardless of what the scoreboard indicates. The Bluestreaks made them earn it from start to finish, as both teams combined for 39 total turnovers, a figure that showcased just how intense and competitive the defensive effort was on both ends.
The opening quarter proved to be a competitive one, as both teams worked to settle in and gauge one another. Baskets from Carys Crossland and her sister, Kynli Crossland, jump-started the scoring for Patrick Henry.
Archbold answered right back, as Charlee Forward and Reagan Wendt each found the bottom of the net, trimming the margin to 5-4 in favor of Patrick Henry early in the first quarter.
Carys Crossland continued to make an early impact, knocking down two free throws before converting a layup to extend the Patriots’ lead. Her sister, Kynli Crossland, added two free throws of her own, pushing the score to 11-4 midway through the first quarter.
Archbold answered with baskets from Forward and Molly Harris, trimming the Patriots’ early lead. Free throws from both teams closed out the first quarter, and Patrick Henry took a 12-9 advantage into the second.
The second quarter was where Patrick Henry began to separate itself. Archbold did manage to take its first lead on a nice spin move into a layup by Klaire Kern, but after that moment the Patriots went on their run.
The Patriots’ scoring surge featured contributions from several players, but it was the Crossland sisters who truly controlled the quarter.
Carys Crossland and Kynli Crossland combined for 19 points in the period, attacking the defense in a variety of ways and keeping the pressure on.
Kern did her part to keep the Bluestreaks within striking distance, pouring in nine second-quarter points. However, Patrick Henry’s dominance in the frame allowed the Patriots to carry a 36-24 lead into halftime.
Scoring slowed down in the second half as both teams adjusted to the defensive looks and offensive schemes being presented.
Ada Christman and Kynli Crossland each opened the third quarter with made free throws, pushing the Patriots’ lead to 39-24 early in the period.
Harris knocked down a three-pointer for the Bluestreaks to try and spark some momentum, but Patrick Henry answered right back.
Free throws from Meyta Hieber and Ella Christman steadied the Patriots, and a three-pointer from Ada Christman stretched the advantage to 44-29 midway through the third quarter.
The quarter closed with a basket from Hieber, sending the Patriots into the fourth quarter with a 47-30 lead and the league championship firmly within reach.
An and-one from Forward opened the fourth quarter for Archbold, but every Bluestreak push seemed to be answered.
Sophie Guelde quickly responded with a three-pointer of her own, keeping the Patriots comfortably in front and halting any momentum swing.
Back-to-back buckets from the Christman sisters pushed the Patriots’ lead even further, but Archbold’s Harris answered with consecutive scores of her own, trimming the margin to 57-38 late in the fourth quarter.
Patrick Henry’s final bucket of the night was one to remember. Carys Crossland went right to left with a sharp crossover, burst down the lane, and finished at the rim with a layup, a basket that made her the program’s all-time leading scorer. It was a fitting and unforgettable moment for the program and for Crossland.
The final score read 59-40, but as mentioned earlier, the Bluestreaks forced Patrick Henry to compete for all four quarters. The margin may suggest comfort, but the Patriots had to earn every bit of it, proving they were worthy of their outright league championship.
PATRICK HENRY (59) – C. Crossland 21; Mullins 0; Weber 0; K. Crossland 14; A. Christman 11; E. Christman 7; Guelde 3; Hieber 3; Schwiebert 0; Totals: 11-7-16 – 59
ARCHBOLD (40) – Hurst 0; Short 0; Meyer 0; Martz 0; Kern 13; Forward 12; Harris 8; Gericke 3; Wendt 2; Wanemacher 2; Totals:12-4-4 – 40
PHHS 12 24 11 12 – 59
AHS 9 15 6 10 – 40