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Wawasee Starts Season 1-0

SYRACUSE -ÊWawasee boys basketball coaching staff members wear cream colored three-button shirts with green collars and the words "Wawasee Boys Basketball" surrounding the word "PATH." The team took the first step on the path by doing something Tuesday night that has not happened since the 1996-1997 season.They won the first game of the season against Fairfield, 62-58. Wawasee started on the right foot when Andrew Packer netted the first basket of the game at the 7:40 mark in the first quarter.Fairfield tied the game at 2-all, but then the Warriors kicked into gear and went on an 11-5 run to take a 15-7 lead. However, that lead was short-lived as Fairfield fought back and took an 18-15 lead.A basket by Greg Abbs just before the buzzer made the score 18-17 at the end of the first frame. The Warriors and Falcons battled back and forth through the second quarter of play with neither team taking a lead of more than three points at any time in the quarter.
Jen Gibson, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Movin' On Up

The place, of all places in America to have a revelation, was Albion. The sport was volleyball, and the date was Aug.20, 1998, and Tippecanoe Valley coach Jon Parker just knew he could have a special team. Parker pulled Tiffany Cunningham, the team leader in serve reception, to the side. "I grabbed a couple of our girls after the first two matches this season," he says."I'll never forget it.I grabbed Tiffany Cunningham over there by the shoulders.The second match of the season, against Central Noble.She played so well.I said, 'What's the difference?' She looked me in the eye and said, 'Coach, we want it bad this year.We know we can do it.' "I knew right then we would be a team to be reckoned with." The Vikings were.They are.And Parker hopes they will be in the sectional.
Jeff Holsinger, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Eagles Take Tigers Down To The Wire

In his 20 years as Warsaw boys basketball coach, Al Rhodes has never coached a game that ended the way Saturday's 38-37 win did against Columbia City. "This is a first," he said. In his four years as Columbia City boys basketball coach, Chris Benedict has, and this is the second time it has happened to him on his home court. "Our sectional final against Tippecanoe Valley a few years ago," Benedict said."A loose ball foul with :00.3 seconds left.A free throw wins the ball game for Valley. "It's a tough way to end it." Warsaw owned the basketball with eight seconds left.Six-foot-6 senior forward Steve Siebenmorgen attempted a shot, and as time ran out, a foul was called on Columbia City 6'2' senior forward Seth Hoppe. With :00 on the clock, Siebenmorgen stepped up to the free throw line, hit the first free throw to give Warsaw the one-point win, turned to his home crowd, struck a pose, flexed his muscles and roared.
Jeff Holsinger, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

The Unsung Heroes Of Racing

HAMPTON, GA - When Craig Barnes told me I knew how he and his buddies felt, he wasn't far from the truth. Barnes, along with his brother Tony Barnes, Scott Eldridge, Tim Frantz, Jeremy Marsh, Ken Nisley, Carson Kintzel, Greg Stuart and a list of others, are crew members for the ML Motorsports No.67 Mary Louise Miller-owned Monte Carlo in the ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series. Last weekend, through four states, over 89 hours, 1,611 miles and during a 162-lap race around Atlanta Motor Speedway, I was, as much as they would allow me to be, one of them. It's so hard to find people involved in sports today because they truly love to be.
Pole Position column By Dale Hubler, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Disputed Play Turns Sour For Wawasee

GOSHEN - Did it go in or not? That's the question many people asked after Fairfield had ended the fourth quarter with a 19-4 run to win 61-51 over Wawasee on Tuesday. A strange play that seemed to go Wawasee's way turned the momentum in the opening game of the season for both teams and spurred Fairfield to a 12-0 run that completely altered the game. Wawasee led 45-42 with just over five minutes to go in the game when the Warriors' Jay Haugh drove the lane and was fouled.He was sent to the line to shoot two shots and missed the first.However, he knocked down the second shot to seemingly put Wawasee ahead 46-42. But just before Fairfield inbounded the ball, the referees decided to discuss the play with the scorekeepers.They changed the call and said that Haugh had made the shot and since he missed the first free throw, the score should be 47-42, for a three-point play.
Jason Knavel, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Wildcats Seek Revenge, Get Revenge

NORTH MANCHESTER - Going into Thursday night's girls basketball game, Manchester and Whitko had similar records and the desire to win. The 3-1 Squires were looking to improve their record and earn bragging rights over their Three Rivers Conference rival. The 3-2 Wildcats were also looking to improve their record, but they felt they had something to prove to the Squires, who defeated them last year 56-52. In the end, Whitko landed on top, beating Manchester 74-62 in a rough and physical basketball game. "This is a bit of revenge for the loss last year," said Whitko coach Ray Davis. A physical game from the first whistle, as six fouls were called in the first three minutes of play. After the officials had set the tone for the game, both teams settled down for battle. Manchester started the first quarter with a bang, taking a 4-0 lead with just over six minutes left in the quarter.
Jen Gibson, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

TRC Names All-Conference Football Team

The Three Rivers Conference has named its all-conference football team. Manchester led area squads with four nominations, while Tippecanoe Valley had three and Whitko two. Manchester seniors Klint Rupley (tight end), Jared Kopkey (tackle), Derek Brown (center) and Jon Gratz (linebacker) made the top squad, while Tippecanoe Valley's Steve Rumfelt (interior line), Caleb Shewman (linebacker) and B.J.Cunningham (secondary) were all-conference as well. Brent Goble (running backs) and Wes Herron (tackle) made the squad for Whitko. Manchester also had four players on the second team, including running back Josh Peden, interior lineman John Sommer, linebacker Kyle Powers and defensive back Jerold Blocher. Whitko's second-team selections were quarterback Adam Wendel, center Troy Grube and linebacker Burl Haywood.Valley tackle Darren Alber and guard Derek Smith were second-team selections as well.
Times-Union Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Area Volleyball Teams Blossom This Season

Record-setting regular seasons are nice to talk about, but when it comes to tournament play - throw them out the window. So is the case for the NorthWood and Triton volleyball teams this season.In a season where all seven area volleyball teams are above .500, these two squads seem to stand out from the rest. And both have had seasons that are among the best in their respective school's history. The Panthers (25-5) won the Northern Lakes Conference title for the first time in over a decade by gliding through the conference with a perfect 6-0 mark.NorthWood clinched the title with a win over Wawasee last Thursday, but it was a big win a week before against seven-time defending NLC champ Warsaw that put the Panthers on track for the title.
Greg Jones, Times-Union Sports Editor- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw Rebounds With 54-40 Win

After starting the 2000 season by losing to Tippecanoe Valley, Warsaw's boys basketball team practiced for 3 1/2 hours Friday and 2 1/2 hours Saturday before that evening's home game against Columbia City. What Warsaw had to show for the work was a 54-40 win over the Eagles. And what Warsaw coach Al Rhodes had to show for it was a voice barely louder than a whisper, which he attributed to Wednesday's game, flu and six hours of practices. "From Wednesday until today," he said, "we made a lot of strides." In Wednesday's 59-56 loss to Valley, the Vikings closed out the Tigers. In Saturday's 54-40 win against Columbia City, the Tigers closed out the Eagles. Warsaw went on a 15-3 run to turn a 36-30 lead with 3:46 left in the third quarter into a 51-33 lead with 2:19 left in the fourth.
Jeff Holsinger, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Wawasee Falls To Northridge In Sectional Final

LIGONIER -ÊAs one of the youngest teams in the area last season, the Wawasee Warrior volleyball team certainly saw its share of down times in suffering through an 8-24 season. This year, though, the Warriors have a year of experience under their belts.That experience nearly paid off with a sectional title Saturday at the West Noble Class 3A sectional tournament. Wawasee opened the day by beating Lakeland in the semifinal round 21,16, 21-16, 17-21, 21-18. In the title game the Warriors were denied the sectional crown as the team fell to Northridge in three straight games by the counts of 21-15, 21-10, 21-12. "We've come a long way," said Wawasee head coach Amy Miller."We still don't have a competitive edge but we'll get that with more wins." Against Lakeland the Warriors were nearly unstoppable.
Travis Stahl, Times-Union Sports Correspondent- | July 28, 2016

Shafer Busy In Win Over Valley

ROCHESTER - It's uncertain whether he washed the uniforms or made the pregame meal, but Rochester's Matt Shafer did just about everything else Friday. He scored the Zebras' first 17 points in a 29-14 win over Three Rivers Conference rival Valley to regain possession of the Bell Trophy and gain the inside track to a TRC crown Friday night at Barnhart Field. Shafer caught a 30-yard pass from quarterback Scott Thomas with 6:21 left in the first quarter and connected on the extra point to put the Zebras up 7-0 on Rochester's first possession of the game. The touchdown came two plays after Thomas hooked up with Shafer on a 75-yard reception that was called back on a holding call at Valley's 20-yard line. The Vikings tied things up later in the first quarter when Aaron Reed took a hand-off from quarterback Bryce Kelley 67 yards down the Rochester sideline.Jerrod Parker's extra point knotted things up at 7-7.
DANIEL RIORDAN, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Warriors Ready For Rematch

SYRACUSE - It's easy to focus on Joe Leach. With 1,492 yards rushing, 1,952 yards passing, 20 rushing touchdowns and 22 passing touchdowns, Leach has garnered attention from around the state and from several Division I college programs. But there's more to this year's 2006 Wawasee Warrior football team than the talented quarterback. And Wawasee will need everyone Friday night in a rematch with host Plymouth for a spot in next week's Class 4A Sectional 10 championship. Much of Leach's success starts with an undersized but effective offensive line. Center Todd Jones is listed at 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds, which is more of a fullback's size than the run-of-the-mill offensive lineman. The one prototypical offensive lineman, Travis Radford a 6-6, 320-pound wall, went down early in the season and was replaced with 6-4, 195-pound first-year player Barry Singrey.
DANIEL RIORDAN, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Tigers Survive TV Scare

For those people who reluctantly pulled themselves away from the final night of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" to attend Wednesday's Tippecanoe Valley and Warsaw's boys basketball game, at least they left knowing one thing: The teams gave them their money's worth. Warsaw won the double-overtime thriller 71-68, giving Warsaw coach Al Rhodes win No.350 in his 20th season as head coach of the Tigers. "It's certainly a fitting 350th: double overtime with (Tippecanoe Valley) coach (Bill) Patrick and with a group of seniors who are headed into a great season," Rhodes said. Warsaw is ranked No.5 in Hoosier Basketball Magazine's preseason poll that combines all classes and No.7 in the Associated Press class 4A preseason poll. Tippecanoe Valley is not ranked and received no votes to be ranked.
Jeff Holsinger, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Wawasee Spikers Rally Past Triton

SYRACUSE - When Wawasee fell behind Triton 12-4 in the first game Monday, the Warrior spikers had two choices - pack it in or turn it up.Wawasee chose the latter of the two. And although the Trojans eventually won game one, 15-13, the emotion and enthusiasm that the Warriors created by making it close turned the momentum around and helped Wawasee win the next two games, 15-10, 15-12. "There were times that I thought they would just run on us.I was afraid if we went ahead and lost at that score (only 4 points), that emotionally the team wouldn't be able to rebound," Wawasee coach Jason Fleming said."We started putting things together at the end of that first game which even though we lost it showed that the momentum had changed tides." Really, it wasn't any magic formula or a change in the game plan for the Warriors; they just began to execute better, while the Trojans struggled with the rejuvenated play of Wawasee.
Greg Jones, Times-Union Sports Editor- | July 28, 2016

Vikings Have Plenty Left In Cupboard

AKRON - Legendary Tippecanoe Valley boys basketball Bill Patrick has said that if he ever had a losing season he'd walk away from the bench. Patrick is 623-215 in 38 years of coaching. And while Valley fans can expect Patrick on the sidelines for a 39th year, this year's Viking squad has a lot of unknowns. Gone are the likes of David Lash and Shane Drudge. The two players shared Times-Union Player of the Year honors last season as they led Valley to its seventh straight Three Rivers Conference championship, a sectional championship and a 19-5 record. Lash and Drudge both played since their freshmen year, with Drudge starting, and helped Valley dominate the TRC and win two straight sectionals. Lash and Drudge averaged 14.4 and 14.3 points per game, respectively. The lone double-digit scorer returning for Valley is 6-foot-2 junior Chad Hoffer.
DANIEL RIORDAN, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Tigers Top State-Ranked Squires

NORTH MANCHESTER - Manchester didn't shoot itself in the foot as much as it shot itself out of the game. Bothered by Warsaw's pesky zone defense and their own shooting woes, the No.2 (2A) Squires fell for the first time this season to the Tigers in girls basketball action 50-33 Friday night at Manchester High School. Manchester shot just 11 of 49 from the field for the game (22.4 percent) and had trouble defending Warsaw's perimeter game. "For us offensively we were getting great shots," said Manchester coach Mark Underwood."We just had trouble with them finding the basket.Defensively, give Warsaw credit.They shot the ball well and it wasn't just one girl.Nine players scored for them." Warsaw never trailed after freshman Kelci Freds nailed a three-pointer early in the first quarter to give the Tigers a 7-4 lead. Freds scored a game-high 13 points to lead Warsaw past the Squires.
DANIEL RIORDAN, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Wawasee Individuals Advance To State, Warsaw Team Finishes 16th

FORT WAYNE - Viewed as an individual and a team sport, among the local competitors in Saturday's New Haven Cross Country Semistate at IPFW it was the individuals that won out. With their teammates only able to cheer them on, Wawasee's Rachel Stichter and Luke Stoffel competed as individuals and advanced to Saturday's state finals meet at the Indiana Unversity Course in Bloomington. Warsaw's boys squad competed in the team competition and finished 16th out of 20 teams with 376 points. The top five teams and top 15 individuals advance to Saturday's state finals. With her third-place time of 14:18 in the girls 4,000-meter race, Stichter, a junior, advanced to the state finals for the third straight year.
DALE HUBLER, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Free Throws Big For Triton Boys

BOURBON - Over the summer, the Triton boys basketball team traveled to Spiece Fieldhouse in Fort Wayne and won a team free throw shooting contest. That charity stripe acumen came in handy as the Trojans went 28 of 34 from the line in a 56-53 win over Oregon-Davis in Triton's season opener Friday night. In a back and forth affair, Triton was able to hang on despite a late Bobcat charge. With 26.3 seconds left in regulation and the Trojans up 55-53, Triton gave Oregon-Davis new life.After the Bobcats' Justin Egger missed the second of two free throws, the Trojans gave the ball right back on an over-and-back call. Oregon-Davis looked to run a play but an errant pass forced Egger to attempt to save the ball from going out of bounds buy throwing it into the arms of Triton freshman Bruce Grimm. Grimm was fouled then hit 1 of 2 free throws to push the Trojan lead to 56-53.
DANIEL RIORDAN, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

On The Court

WAWASEE AT FAIRFIELD Tipoff: 7:45 p.m.tonight at Goshen Records: Wawasee 0-0; Fairfield 0-0 Coaches: Jerry Davis (Wawasee); Scott Miller (Fairfield) Matchup: It will be the season opener for both teams.Wawasee returns four starters from last year's team and hopes to build on a 7-14 record in Jerry Davis' first season at the helm.Fairfield, on the other hand, will have to rely on a balanced attack after losing Jayme Mathews, a 20-plus scorer last year.Wawasee will have the height and experience advantage in this opener for both teams.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Huntington Edges Manchester College

At North Manchester, the Huntington College men's basketball team defeated the Manchester Spartans 88-84 on Tuesday. Huntington led Manchester 67-62 with five minutes to play in regulation.The Spartans fought back, and a Burt Paddock layup with six seconds left in regulation tied the game. Huntington's Kurt Grau clinched the the overtime win with two free throws with nine seconds left. Paddock led Manchester with 32 points, and Chad Berry added 22. Huntington had six scorers in double figures.Jeff Shepherd led with 20 points.Recent Manchester High School graduate Matt Eberly added 15.Tim Pitts, his teammate at Manchester High, added 12 points and led the team with 10 rebounds. Huntington improved to 7-2, while Manchester dropped to 5-1.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016
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