NAPPANEE -ÊThe Wawasee boys basketball team battled a problem through much of the regular season. Unfortunately for the Warriors, that same problem crept up in the sectional as well.

"Our problem is that we fall behind early," said Wawasee coach Phil Mishler. "We usually fight back. Unfortunately, that's the way we know how to play."

The Warriors fell behind early against Angola, fought back, but were unable to make a full recovery. The Warriors eneded the season with a 71-59 loss to the Hornets.

Wawasee's Andrew Packer scored the first basket of the game to put Wawasee up 2-0. That was the only time the Warriors led in the

game.

Angola tied the score at 2 on a Chase Verba basket. Then the Hornets outscored the Warriors 13-2 through the rest of the quarter and took a 15-4 lead into the second frame.

"We were really focused, and that allowed us to take the game over," said Angola Coach Jim Speicher.

Wawasee's Clint Custer hit the first basket of the second quarter to make the score 15-6, but Lakeland's Stacy Martin answered with a three-pointer of his own.

Then Verba hit a monster dunk to ignite the Angola crowd and put the Hornets up 20-6.

By the end of the second frame, Angola held a 33-17 advantage.

The Hornets continued their assault through the third frame and built a 51-31 lead heading into the fourth.

However, Wawasee (5-16) refused to give in. Justin VanLue hit a three-pointer to start the third frame, and then Brent Doty stole the ball and got a layup to make the score 51-38 with 7:02 left in regulation.

At the 4:48 mark, Brian Adkins hit a basket that started a Wawasee run. Packer hit a basket, and Travis Klenke drained a three to make the score 59-50.

After Angola's Corey Meridew hit a basket, VanLue kicked into gear. He hit a basket at the 3:15 mark and less than 30 seconds later was fouled as he hit a three-point basket. VanLue hit the free throw to complete the four-point play and put Wawasee within seven, 63-56.

However, Angola outscored Wawasee 8-3 in the final 2:49 of play to get the 71-59 win.

"Our kids never gave up all season," said Mishler. "They played hard."

"We have not lost an opening game in the sectional since I have been here," said Speicher.

Wawasee's VanLue led all scorers with 20 points, while Andrew Packer added 13.

Angola saw four players finish in double figures. Martin had 17, Kyle Dygert 16, Verba 13, and David Pentico 13.

"We had four guys in double figures tonight," said Speicher. "We played well and distributed the scoring well."

Angola improves to 15-7 and will play NorthWood in the sectional semifinal Friday at 6 p.m. in Nappanee. NorthWood defeated Lakeland 63-56 to advance to the semifinals.

ANGOLA 71, WAWASEE 59

Angola 15 18 18 20 - 71

Wawasee 4 13 16 26 - 59

Angola FG FT R S Pts.

Martin 5-7 5-7 0 4 17

Meridew 2-4 0-0 0 0 4

Poor 0-0 0-0 0 0 0

Grill 0-4 2-2 2 0 2

Hack 1-2 0-0 3 1 2

Dygert 6-11 3-4 5 1 16

Watkins 0-0 0-0 0 0 0

Verba 5-9 3-4 12 6 13

Bolinger 0-0 0-0 0 0 0

Pentico 5-6 3-4 5 1 13

Gessaman 0-0 0-0 2 0 0

Darnell 2-3 0-0 0 0 4

Totals 26-45 16-21 29 13 71

Wawasee FG FT R S Pts.

Doty 1-2 0-0 0 1 2

Conrad 0-4 0-0 1 1 0

Klenke 2-3 0-0 1 1 5

VanLue 7-10 3-3 1 1 20

Adkins 2-6 0-1 1 2 4

Beasley 0-0 0-0 1 1 0

Brumbaugh 0-1 0-0 1 0 0

Abbs 0-0 0-0 0 0 0

Lantz 1-3 1-1 0 0 3

Custer 2-3 2-3 3 0 6

Popenfoose 3-4 0-0 4 1 6

Packer 5-11 3-4 10 2 13

Totals 23-51 9-12 23 10 59

Three-point goals - Angola 3-9 (Martin 2-4, Meridew 0-1, Grill 0-2, Hack 0-1, Dygert 1-1), Wawasee 4-19 (Doty 0-1, Conrad 1-3, Klenke 1-2, VanLue 3-5, Adkins 0-3, Beasley 0-4, Lantz 0-1). Fouls -ÊAngola 16, Wawasee 17. Fouled out -Ênone. Turnovers - Angola 16, Wawasee 17. [[In-content Ad]]