Whitko's Loss Is Valley's Gain

I'll come right out and say it: I am a Bill Patrick fan.I'll make no apologies, I always have been and always will be a Patrick supporter. Obviously, no one was happier to learn that Patrick had accepted a position to coach the Tippecanoe Valley Vikings. Naturally, I had anticipated Friday night's Valley-Whitko matchup for weeks. Finally Patrick would be able to prove to Whitko that they've been missing something for the past three years - quality high school basketball coaching. In his 29 years with the Whitko School Corporation, Bill Patrick was the only boys basketball coach Whitko ever had.He racked up a whopping 478 wins and never had a losing season (His worst record was 11-10).He also led the Wildcats to 11 sectional championships, two regional championships, and a trip to the 1991 Final Four Tournament.And Patrick did all this before the class system, the supposed savior of high school basketball for small schools.

Letters to the Editor 03-20-2000

- Trashy Story - Triton Basketball - Break-Ins - 'Class' Basketball - Abandoned Pups - Phone Service - Prayers Needed - The Prayer - Taxes - Congrats To Hoop Teams - Missing Dog Trashy Story Editor, Times-Union: Why must you carry such a story as the trash you carried last night, 3/7/00, on page 11B? First it was carried under the Education section, then under a headline the size of front page news.

Tigers Cash In On Charity Tosses, Win Hall Of Fame Classic

NEW CASTLE - Warsaw girls basketball coach Will Wienhorst said his team has been working on free throws. It showed Friday night in the championship game of the City Securities Hall of Fame Classic at New Castle's Chrysler Fieldhouse. Led by a 39-of-45 performance at the charity stripe, including a record-breaking effort from senior Jaclyn Leininger, the Class 4A No.8 Tigers beat Mooresville 63-51 to become the first girls team in state history to win the prestigious tournament twice.Warsaw's other Hall of Fame Classic title came in 1988 with a 10-point win over North Knox.

Warsaw Boys Advance With Narrow Win Over Rival Wawasee

SYRACUSE - Their roles were reversed, yet in a way it was almost deja vu Saturday night when Warsaw played rival Wawasee in the opening round of the boys Northern Lakes Conference Lake City Bank Holiday Tournament. A week ago, the regular season NLC opener for both teams, Warsaw trailed Wawasee in the Tiger Den for three quarters but came back and won with an impressive fourth-quarter performance. Saturday night in Syracuse, playing on their home floor, the Warriors trailed the Tigers the entire game and fell 59-55, their fourth-quarter comeback attempt falling just short.

Tiger Girls Advance In NLC Tournament With Dominating Win At Wawasee

SYRACUSE - If there were any questions as to whether or not Warsaw's varsity girls basketball team would be physically or mentally exhausted Saturday night, the Tigers' answer was loud and clear. Playing their sixth game in a week, their third in two days, the 4A No.8 Tigers had enough gas left in the tank to cruise to a 73-25 win at rival Wawasee in the first round of the Northern Lakes Conference Lake City Bank Holiday Tournament. Warsaw's 48-point win came after playing at the Hall of Fame Classic in New Castle the day before, beating No.5 Jeffersonville in the semifinal round and a physical Mooresville club in the championship. Three games in 30 hours, and yet the Tigers were unfazed, starting Saturday's NLC Tournament game with an 8-0 run, leading 18-2 after the first quarter and 34-13 at halftime.

Letters to the Editor 03-14-2000

Letters to the Editor 04-20-2000

Letters to the Editor 04-18-2000

- News Views Incomplete - Go Figure - Good Opportunity - NIMBYs Took Notice - Two Cents Worth - Gun Locks - Alcohol Permit - Lots Of Cops - Senior Center Problems News Views Incomplete Editor, Times-Union: Your News Views in Saturday's edition was interesting, however, incomplete.For clarification purposes please be advised of the following list of information and facts regarding a Meijer development in Warsaw.It is proposed to be located adjacent to a residential neighborhood of well over 300 plus families you creatively labeled NIMBY's (not in my backyard).

Letters to the Editor 04-07-2000

- Urban Legends - Band Members - Cruel And Unusual - Animal Welfare - Supports Greenway - Meijer Questions - Meijer Who? - Volunteer Week - Kid Violence Urban Legends Editor, Times-Union: Referring to the letter from Ben Scripture titled "People in Government" in the 4/05/00 paper, I am sorry to say that I believe this is one of those "Urban Legends" that is still being passed around especially on the Internet.Sorry, Ben.Although you had some good points voters should consider.

Breading Retires From Warsaw Little League

Although the fields are empty now, many Warsaw residents have been involved with Boggs Park.Whether through playing little league, or coaching a little league team, or attending games as a parent, or helping in the construction process, Boggs Park has been a part of many peoples' lives. Jim Breading, one of several people who was instrumental in bringing Boggs Park to Warsaw, recently retired from his duties after 17 years of service to Warsaw Little League, the last four as president. Although he began as a board member in 1982, Breading was actually involved in Warsaw Little League long before that.He was one of the first members of Warsaw Little League when it started in 1952.He was also involved in the first trade in the league.They had too many 12-year-olds and had to swap some players around.So Breading has seen the rise of this program from the beginning.

TV Has Easy Time With Triton

MENTONE -ÊThe Tippecanoe Valley girls basketball team held Triton to just six points in the first half on its way to a 64-33 victory Monday night. Rhonda Doud and Tabitha Pratt combined for 13 points as Valley started the first frame with an 18-0 run. Valley held Triton scoreless for over seven minutes until Brandi Ganshorn hit a field goal and converted it into a three-point play after nailing a free throw with just 23 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Going into the second, Valley held a commanding 21-3 lead after Rhonda Doud sank a three-pointer as buzzer sounded to end the first quarter. The second frame was much like the first as Valley outscored Triton 12-3 in the quarter. At the half, the Vikings held a 27-point lead over the Trojans, 33-6.

Rensberger's Tip Saves Wawasee

SYRACUSE - Time was certainly on Wawasee's side against East Noble Friday. In a slow-moving turn of events, the Warriors' Hannah Rensberger grabbed an airball from Lydia Carpenter and converted the layup as the clock dwindled down to give Wawasee a thrilling 53-51 overtime win over the previously unbeaten Knights. The time was officially four seconds on the clock, but East Noble fans could swear it was longer, the result of a slower trigger finger on the timer.Nevertheless, it was certainly an exciting finish.

The Back Is Back Against NorthWood

Mason Ogle.Brent Lesniak.Brian Smith. They're all connected. All are star running backs.All play on winning football teams.All have played against NorthWood. Dowagiac's Lesniak rushed for 324 yards against NorthWood.Goshen's Ogle rushed for 180.Jimtown's Smith rushed for 162. Yes, NorthWood has played its fair share of teams built around one tremendous running back, and another name will be added to the list on Friday - Josh Jenkins. Angola's Jenkins rushed for 903 yards last year and is even better this year. Facing running backs who do everything but bend steel is nothing new for the Panthers.Still, when No.7 NorthWood (8-2) meets No.10 Angola (8-2), you can be sure Panthers coach Rich Dodson will underline, circle and draw arrows and stars at Jenkins' name on the chalkboard.

Friction Occurs When Public And Private Intertwine

Elected officials are often faced with weighing the delicate balance between public and private interest, ensuring the former is protected, while not unduly infringing on the latter. By and large, our elected officials manage the task successfully and above reproach.At times, however, what should be a clear line of demarcation becomes a bit blurred. In an ideal world, governmental bodies would have ample tax dollars available to provide for the necessary services needed in our communities - police and fire protection, well-maintained roads and streets, efficient and environmentally-safe sanitary sewers - as well as providing some of the desired but less "needed" elements of civic life, such as parks or various and sundry "restoration" projects that directly benefit a small and select few. Ideal worlds seldom, if ever, exist.And the world, while good, is certainly not ideal in the town of Winona Lake these days.

Warsaw Top Program In '90s

Warsaw boys basketball distinction as the top program of the 1990s probably can be traced back to one single day, but it isn't even in this decade. No this day goes back six years before the '90s even started when the Tigers captured their first and only boys state championship title - March 24, 1984. Warsaw's 59-56 win over Vincennes Lincoln that day might have done more than give Warsaw the state title; it set in motion the enthusiasm and interest in a sport that has put the school and community on the map. "The seed of something like that would start with the state championship of 1984," current Warsaw JV coach Doug Ogle said."That had to be very motivating for the kids in elementary and junior high grades.That success kept breathing more success." The seed planted that day has grown into what can now be considered the best boys program of the '90s in terms of winning percentage among its high school (varsity, junior varsity and freshman) programs.

Letters to the Editor 05-11-2000

- Telephone Changes - Take Down Campaign Signs Telephone Changes Editor, Times-Union: Whenever I become aware of these new, handy cellular phones that one can carry wherever he goes, I realize that after 60 or 70 years, there has been a drastic change in the construction and operation of the telephone. Today, cellular phones are everywhere.They are glued to the ears of conversants ambling down the streets, eating in restaurants, driving in cars, flying in airplanes, etc.

Tigers Down But Not Out Vs. Eagles

COLUMBIA CITY - Sometimes X's and O's in a basketball aren't as important as hearts and guts.There comes a time when determination overrules adjustments. Warsaw reached that point against Columbia City Saturday.Trailing the host Eagles by 15 points in the second quarter, the Tigers reached down and pulled themselves up by the bootstraps and eventually garnered a 73-65 overtime win to move to 2-0 on the season. "I feel good about the heart and character we demonstrated," Warsaw coach Al Rhodes said."It came down to gut-check time for our seniors, and they came through with flying colors." Led by six points from sophomore Steve Siebenmorgen and four from senior Andy Plank, the Tigers outscored Columbia City 14-6 in the extra session for the win against a Columbia City team that had demolished a good Whitko squad 70-45 in its season opener.

Letters to the Editor 04-11-2000

- Victims Rights - Taxation - Protect The Constitution - Crime And Government Victims Rights Editor, Times-Union: Sunday, April 9th, began the first day of recognizing the 20th Annual National Crime Victims' Rights Week.Several people gathered for a tree planting ceremony in honor of victims of violence in our community, and with special remembrance of Detective Sgt.Phil Hochstetler, who lost his life trying to protect ours.We want to thank all those who attended and participated in this very special event.

Eagles Soar Over Tigers

COLUMBIA CITY -ÊAlthough the Warsaw Tigers girls basketball team scored 30 points in the final quarter of play in Tuesday's game against Class 3A No.9 Columbia City, the Eagles came out on top 74-66. Columbia City struck first in the game when Brooksie King netted the first basket of the night to put the Eagles up 2-0, but Warsaw returned the favor 10 seconds later.Jenna Rooney drove to the basket hit a layup and was fouled on the play.After her free throw swished through the net, Warsaw went up 3-2. That would be one of only two times the Tigers would take the lead.The other time came with 5:45 left in the first quarter when Hilary O'Connell netted a basket to put Warsaw up 5-4. Then Columbia City started to pull ahead and went up 11-7 with 3:00 left in the first stanza.The Tigers battled back to tie the score at 13 at the end of the first period of play.

Patrick Has Successful Return To Whitko

SOUTH WHITLEY -ÊA sign in the Tippecanoe Valley stands said it all to Whitko: "Thanks 4 Patrick." The Vikings helped give that sign more meaning when they defeated Whitko 69-53 Friday night. Second-year Tippecanoe Valley coach Bill Patrick returned to Whitko, where he previously coached for 29 years and led the Wildcats to a 478-180 record.He resigned in 1995 after clashing with the administration. The trip to Whitko's gym was his second as Valley coach.Patrick coached the Vikings in their 111-107 double overtime loss in the 1998 Whitko Sectional. Valley jumped out to an early lead over Whitko in the first quarter when the Vikings scored seven unanswered points to open the game.The Viking defense held the Wildcat offense scoreless until a J.R.Manuel basket Whitko's first points of the game with 5:00 on the clock.