End 2023 on a winning note.

That was the mindset for Cullen VanLeer’s Owensville Dutchmen entering their Four Rivers Conference (FRC) opening basketball game Friday night at Owensville High School against St. Clair’s Bulldogs.

Battling to a 26-22 halftime lead, Owensville doubled their point total in the second half while holding St. Clair to 12 points during their 52-34 win over the visiting Bulldogs.

It was a sweet night in the scoring department for senior Landon Ely and freshman Chase Crosby.

Both players led the Dutchmen with 16 points apiece.

Most of Ely’s points came from beyond the arc as he hit four 3-pointers.

Crosby netted nine of his 16 points in the second half in addition to collecting four rebounds, three steals and three assists.

Layne Evans made it three double-digit Dutchmen scorers adding 11 points, seven rebounds and three steals.

Charles Hazelwood booked all four of his points in the second quarter while Zaiden Gates and Eli Graham each added two points.

Brady Watson rounded out the Owensville scoring against St. Clair with one point on a third-quarter free throw.

Ty Record led St. Clair with nine points and seven rebounds.

Scott Lewis’ JV Dutchmen opened the game against St. Clair’s JV Bulldogs on a 15-2 run and never trailed en route to a 45-35 victory.

Chase Weirich showed the way for the Dutchmen netting eight of his team-high 12 points in the second half.

Brandon Graham nearly joined Weirich in double digits finishing with eight points all in the third quarter.

Chris Allen and Gates each added six points while Jansen Loeb and Keigan Glaser each chipped in four points.

Logan Valley added three second-half points in addition to Drew Chapman’s two fourth-quarter free throws for two points.

Kaden Calhoun led the JV Bulldogs with 14 points.

Last Monday night against St. Francis Borgia, Owensville led the Knights 18-15 after one quarter before being outscored by Borgia 39-14 over the second and third quarters of their 63-48 loss.

Evans led the orange and black with 23 points and six rebounds while Crosby also reached double figures with 12 points and six rebounds.

Brody Denbow led the Knights with 25 points and six assists.

JV action saw the Dutchmen fall 55-38 to Borgia behind a team-high 11 points from Gates all coming in the first half.

John VanLeer’s freshmen Dutchmen fell 52-49 in overtime to the Knights behind 14 points from Kylen Menz.

Valley also netted double digits with 10 points all in the second half and overtime.

Bryce Kramme added six of his eight points in the second half while Allen scored all six of his points in the third quarter.

Koen Brooks chipped in four second-quarter points in addition to three points apiece from Henry Womack and Chapman.

Broden Kelley rounded out the Dutchmen scoring with one point on a second-quarter free throw.