Looking to enter 2026 with a 4-4 record, Cullen VanLeer’s Dutchmen closed the 2025 portion of their season last Thursday night on the road in Cole County against Russellville’s Indians.

Battling to a 34-32 halftime lead and a 43-40 advantage after three quarters, Owensville went 5-6 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter of their 55-49 road triumph over the host Indians.

Doing the bulk of his damage in the first half, junior Chase Crosby led the Dutchmen by scoring 18 of his game-high 20 points in the first half while Brady Watson followed with a double double of 12 points, 10 rebounds and three assists.

Keigan Glaser made it three Dutchmen in double figures with 11 points, five assists and four rebounds.

Adam Wilson added all four of his points in the first quarter while Bryce Kramme and Chase Weirich each chipped in three points on second-half 3-point shots.

Wyatt Lewis rounded out the Dutchmen scoring at Russellville on a fourth-quarter bucket for two points.

No score was available on junior-varsity action at press time.

Dutchmen vs. St. Clair

Opening Four Rivers Conference (FRC) play last Tuesday on their home floor against St. Clair’s Bulldogs, Owensville put on a defensive clinic in the first half helping them to a 23-4 halftime lead before going on to post a 51-32 victory over visiting St. Clair.

Watson led the way nearly posting a double double of 19 points, eight rebounds and three assists while Crosby also reached double figures in the scoring column with 10 points, seven rebounds and three assists.

Drew Chapman and Weirich nearly made it four Dutchmen in double digits against the Bulldogs netting eight points apiece.

Kramme rounded out the scoring for Owensville against St. Clair with six points while Glaser also dished out a team-high seven assists.

Edged 40-38 by St. Clair in the JV game, Koen Brooks paced Scott Lewis’ JV Dutchmen scoring 13 of his 15 points in the third quarter while Andrew Budnik added six points on a pair of made 3-pointers.

Charlie Katsov chipped in five points to go along with three points apiece from Wyatt Bone and Cohen Dare.

Rounding out the JV Dutchmen scoring against St. Clair with two points each were the orange and black trio of Kylen Menz, Tanner Mogensen and Broden Kelley.

VanLeer’s varsity Dutchmen will open 2026 hosting the Maries County Bank Owensville Varsity Boys Basketball Tournament beginning on Monday, Jan. 5 with hopes of cooperation from Mother Nature as inclement weather caused last year’s tournament to be canceled.