Leipsic’s Whitney Langhals drives to the basket against Ada’s Olivia Burkhart during Thursday night’s game at Leipsic. See more high school basketball photos at LimaScores.com.
Richard Parrish | The Lima News
LEIPSIC — It is not often a coach gets emotional after a regular season win but Leipsic head coach Gary Kreinbrink not only enjoyed a 51-15 victory over Ada but he also shed tears of joy as he celebrated his 500th career win Thursday night.
With the victory, Leipsic improves to 18-1 on the season and remains unbeaten in Northwest Conference play at 7-0. Ada falls to 10-10 overall and 0-7 in conference play. Leipsic and Delphos Jefferson, who are both unbeaten in the NWC, are scheduled to play Feb. 13.
“I just appreciate all the kids that I coached and that are here tonight,” said a visibly emotional Kreinbrink, who celebrated afterwards with fans, friends, former players and family.
Looking to make sure Kreinbrink, who is in his 37th season, would reach this milestone, the Vikings took control of the game from the opening buzzer by going on a 19-0 run to open the game that extended into the second quarter. With their trademark tenacious defensive effort, the Vikings did not allow Ada a basket until the five minute mark of the second quarter.
By halftime, Leipsic owned a commanding 34-6 lead.
“We were ready to play tonight,” said Kreinbrink, who is now 500-350. “You know when you get to 500 there is a little extra incentive and I appreciate the effort that our girls put in tonight. Defensively, we were outstanding. We knew what we wanted to do and take away (Courtney) Sumner and (Olivia) Burkhart. They are both great players and we did that for the most part.”
The 15 points allowed was the lowest the Vikings’ have allowed this season and marks the seventh time this year Leipsic has held an opponent to 30 points ore less.
Offensively, Vikings’ Kyrsten Martinez and Whitney Langhals each scored 12 points to lead the team. Martinez was instrumental in the Vikings jumping out to the early lead as she hit a trio of treys in the first quarter to help open up the 13-0 advantage. Martinez finished with four three’s on the night.
“Kyrsten Martinez caught fire early so we able to kind of ride her a little bit and that is kind of how the game went from there,” Kreinbrink said.
Leipsic’s Marisa Hermiller added eight points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
Ada’s Courtney Sumner led the Bulldogs with eight points.
Reach Jose Nogueras at 567-242-0451.
