Tyler takes on Tribe

Tyler Niekamp played eight tournament games during his four years as an Indian.

None were more special than his 52-point output 15 years ago in the sectional semifinal against Waynesfield-Goshen at Coldwater.

Only one player in school history has scored more points in a single game than Niekamp did Feb. 25. 2003.

His recollection of that game is sharp — two days later the Indians lost in the sectional final to eventual state champion Marion Local — but it’s nothing more than a memory now.

He’s back competing in a sectional, this time as coach, and his first task will be against his former team.

Niekamp, a 2003 Fort Recovery High School graduate, will lead his 15-7 Van Buren Black Knights against the 14-9 Indians in the Division III Lima District sectional final at 6 p.m. Friday at Elida.

“It’s kind of crazy,” he said of beginning his tournament coaching experience against the Indians, for whom he scored more than 1,000 career points.

But he had trouble describing what it will be like as an enemy to the village he grew up in and the fans who supported him.

“I don’t know,” he said. “It will definitely be different. It’ll be interesting. I’m thinking it’ll be a lot of fun.”

Niekamp, who took over the Van Buren gig after serving as the junior varsity coach for the last four years, brought his third-seeded Golden Knight squad to Elida on Tuesday to watch Fort Recovery beat Liberty-Benton 72-59. He said it was “neat” getting to see so many fans in purple before the game.

He even appeared on Fort Recovery Radio during halftime to speak with host Jeff Vaughn, the FRHS girls basketball assistant coach.

As enjoyable as it was for the former University of Findlay football and basketball player to catch up with old friends, he was there on business trying to prepare for Friday’s contest.

But he insists the it won’t be about his connection to the opponent.

“If I let it bother me or change the way I approach our game coming up it’s not really fair to our team and the kids,” he said. “It’s not about that. It’s about our kids and our guys trying to get better and stay alive in the tournament.”

Coaching came naturally for Niekamp, whose father Pat led the Indians in the latter part of the 1970s and first half of the ‘80s. His uncle, Ron, spent 26 years coaching the Findlay Oilers, compiling a 598-185 record that included a 36-0 mark en route to the NCAA Division II National Championship in 2009.

Older brother Brent leads the Fort Recovery football team.

Being on the sidelines, as well as the front of the classroom, is in his blood.

“That has been the only thing I’ve known since I was little,” said Tyler, who turns 34 in April. “When I was a real little kid, I was screwing around at games. Grew older, started paying closer and closer attention to basketball and football games. When I think of growing up that’s kind of what I think of.

“Kind of decided I wanted to be a teacher. Had a great experience at Fort Recovery with all my teachers (and I) decided that’s what I wanted to do.”

Niekamp, who still lives in Findlay, was a graduate assistant to his uncle Ron on the 2009 national championship team.

“That strengthened my desire to continue and keep pursuing (coaching) a little bit,” he said.

Van Buren is located about 7 miles north of Findlay and just east of Interstate 75. It tied North Baltimore at 9-2 for second in the Blanchard Valley Conference.

Matthew Ayers, a 6-foot, 1-inch senior guard, led the team with 16.6 points per game, which ranked third in the BVC. Kade Stevenson, a 6-foot, 5-inch senior forward Kade Stevenson, was second on the squad with 10.2 PPG.

None of the 10 Black Knight players listed in the tournament program are shorter than 6-1, and their plan each night is to take advantage of that size in the paint and on the glass.

“We’ve come a long way,” Niekamp said. “We’re still working through some issues.”

He’s done his best to try to prepare his squad for the physicality typically seen from the Indians and other Midwest Athletic Conference teams, something not too common in the BVC.

He also knows Tribe fans travel well and is expecting a big crowd as the Black Knights take aim at their fourth consecutive sectional title, while the Indians chase their third in a row.

“I’m looking forward to a really good atmosphere for the kids,” he said. “I think it’s going to be fun. I think it’s going to be a good game. I think there are a lot of similarities between the two teams.

“I just hope our kids step up and appreciate it and enjoy themselves while they’re in moments like that.”