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Not Your Typical Fish Story

MENTONE - Brandi and Brooke Fisher hopped on their bikes and pedaled down county back roads, devoted to their cause, determined to reach their destination. For two weeks one summer, the sisters biked from their home in Palestine to Tippecanoe Valley High School - seven miles one way - so they could attend girls basketball camp.Their itinerary: Rise early in the morning.Pedal down roads for 40 minutes to an hour.Play basketball at camp.Get back on the bikes, pedal down roads for 40 minutes to an hour.Pull in at home. These weren't strapping 17-year-old lads doing this.These were young girls.Brandi was a sixth-grader and Brooke a fifth-grader the summer they rode their bikes to camp.Their stepdad and mom, Rick and Evelyn Rickel, worked day shifts and could not take them and pick them up. The sisters didn't let that stop them.
Jeff Holsinger, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw Lets One Slip Away

HUNTINGTON - When looking back on this season, this could be the big one that got away for the Warsaw girls basketball team. The Tigers trailed Huntington North (4-1) for much of the game Thursday and were on the verge of finally taking control of the game several times in the second half.But the chances seemed to slip right through Warsaw's fingers, and the Vikings escaped with a 43-39 win. The Tigers' Tiffany Ross torched the Viking defense for 20 points and 12 boards, but it wasn't enough against the highly regarded Vikings, led this year by former assistant coach Jon Lippe, who took over for the successful Fred Fields.
Greg Jones, Times-Union Sports Editor- | July 28, 2016

Tiger Grapplers Rule Invite

Before Saturday's Warsaw Invitational wrestling meet, Warsaw senior Steve Fribley paced back and forth wearing a sweatshirt with the words 'Think State' in bold letters on the front. "I wear it to keep me from getting distracted," said Fribley."I wore it in track, football and now I'll wear it to every wrestling meet.I want to go to state more than anything." Fribley, his team and five other teams got their first chances on the road to state Saturday when Warsaw hosted a six-team invitational. The Tigers ran away with the team championship, compiling a 5-0 record.Other area schools, Whitko, Triton and Valley, finished fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.
DALE HUBLER, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Zebras Hand Viking Spikers First TRC Loss

MENTONE -ÊOn senior night at Tippecanoe Valley, the Viking volleyball team hoped to come home with a victory and the satisfaction of defeating its area rival. Rochester, on the other hand, had other ideas and defeated the Vikings 15-9, 16-14. Valley (22-6, 4-1 TRC) started the game by scoring on its first possession, making the score 1-0, but success was fleeting.The Vikings' Jennifer Studebaker was injured in the next possession and left the game for the duration of the evening. "Jennifer has played hard all season long," said Valley coach Jon Parker."When she went down, it was a shock for our team." Then Rochester took over possession, scored two points, and took the lead, and Valley would not take the lead again for the rest of the first game. The Vikings had a chance to tie when Rochester hit the ball out of bounds, but Valley failed to take advantage of the opportunity and turned the ball over yet again.Rochester did not rest this time.
Jen Gibson, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Well-Rounded Effort Leads To Viking Win

AKRON - A coach who for 30-plus years has run the wheel offense, Bill Patrick got a well-rounded effort from his Tippecanoe Valley varsity boys basketball team Tuesday evening. An efficient offense that produced three double-figure scorers and a stifling defense that left Plymouth flat in the second half drove the Vikings to a 67-52 win. The host Vikings trailed 26-22 midway through the second quarter, but a rebound basket by 6-foot-2 junior Shane Denny sparked a 13-1 run that gave Valley an eight-point lead with 1:31 remaining in the half. Behind junior scoring juggernaut Kyle Benge, the Pilgrims came back, cutting the lead to four with 42 seconds left in the second stanza before Viking senior Cory Vanlaningham made a steal and bucket with three ticks remaining for a 37-31. Benge burnt the nets for 19 points in the first half, scoring Plymouth's first 10 points of the game. In the second half, however, the wheels fell off the Plymouth wagon.
Dale Hubler, Times-Union Sports Editor- | July 28, 2016

John Snyder Starts Anew At Columbia City

Much of the credit for Columbia City's first win can go to a former Warsaw player/coach, John Snyder. Snyder played high school basketball under coach Al Rhodes for three years and was a Tiger assistant coach for eight years.He lives in Columbia City and works for the school, so when athletic director Geoff Penrod asked him if he was interested in being the junior varsity coach, he said yes. "It was difficult for me to coach at Warsaw," he said."I enjoyed coaching, but timewise and driving, it was hard." Chris Benedict had been named the varsity coach.Snyder had never met him before, but after several long talks, they discovered they shared the same philosophies on building a good basketball program. Snyder took the job. "I thought since I'm part of this community now, I should be committed to these kids," Snyder said.
Jeff Holsinger, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Kintzel, Butler Ready For NCAA Experience

For a person who will be taking part in the NCAA volleyball tournament for the first time, Jennifer Kintzel seems awfully relaxed. The Butler senior setter and former Warsaw Community High School three-sport star doesn't seem fazed at all by the Bulldogs' rookie trek to the NCAA's biggest volleyball tourney. "We are looking at it as we have nothing to lose," Kintzel said."From here on out, we are just having fun." The Bulldogs (27-6) will face Michigan State (22-11) in the first round of the Pacific Regional tonight at 8:30 p.m.at Lincoln, Neb.Despite having the better record, Butler has two things against them - Michigan State's earlier win over Butler this year and Michigan State's previous experience in the NCAA tourney. "They are going to have the experience of having played in the NCAA tourney and the big crowds," Kintzel said. Kintzel said that the Bulldogs might be able to use that previous loss to the Spartans to their advantage.
Greg Jones, Times-Union Sports Editor- | July 28, 2016

Panthers Fight, But Fall Short At State

At a pep rally Friday night, the NorthWood football team emphasized the phrase "NorthWood fights!" Saturday, the Panthers came out fighting in the state championship game against Indianapolis Bishop Chatard, but were unable to pull out a victory in the end.Chatard won the 3A state championship game 23-6 over NorthWood. After deferring the toss, NorthWood's defense forced Chatard's offense to go three-and-out, and the Panthers began their first offensive attack. On the first play of the drive, quarterback Charlie Roeder ran nine yards to move NorthWood to the Chatard 48-yard line, and after a 3-yard Chad Knisley run, NorthWood had a first down. From the Chatard 35-yard line, Roeder rumbled 13 yards for another NorthWood first down at the 32-yard line. After a play that resulted in a 2-yard loss, the Panthers looked at second down and 12 when Roeder completed a 14-yard pass to Brock Doty for another NorthWood first down.
Jen Gibson, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Warriors Drown Huntington North

SYRACUSE - No event exemplified Wawasee's dominance over Huntington North in boys and girls swimming on Thursday night quite like the boys 200 individual medley.Despite winning the first three events of the night, diving, the 200 medley relay and the 200 freestyle, Wawasee never gave an inch in event No.4.Andrew Thornburg, Kyle Metcalf and Jim Baumgartner placed one through three for Wawasee, easily outdistancing Huntington North's top swimmer in that event. For Wawasee, it was like that all night as the Warriors girls racked up an impressive 128-57 win and the boys rolled to a 141-42 victory.
Jason Knavel, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Alford's Road Rules Lead To Win

INDIANAPOLIS - Southwest Missouri State Coach Steve Alford made a rule for his basketball team Saturday that they weren't supposed to see their parents, friends or girlfriends before the game. That rule may have been the key to SMS's 72-57 victory over Butler University. Alford said that being back in Indiana was a concern for the Bears because of all the distractions.He said that his team would be in the state three times this year and while the hometown support was nice, there were games to play. "We knew this was a big game (against Butler) for us.We knew we had to start off well," Alford said.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Grace Men Survive Comeback Attempt

WINONA LAKE - On a night when two freshmen turned in career-best performances, a clutch play by a senior helped Grace College's men's basketball team pull out a victory Tuesday evening. Leading visiting Taylor-Fort Wayne 75-71 with 23 seconds remaining, Lancer senior reserve player Scott Hamstra found an opening, drove to the basket and laid in a shot off the glass as he was fouled. He then hit the free throw, converting a three-point play that was crucial down the stretch in the Lancers' 80-71 win. "They backed off him," said veteran Grace coach Jim Kessler, who is now eight victories away from joining the 500-win club."I was thankful Scott came to play.He's a good shooter.Seniors do things like that.He's earned the right to do that." Freshman Marcus Moore, who scored Grace's first nine points of the game and finished with a team-high and career-best 20 points, converted two free throw attempts with 6.4 seconds left to account for the final score.
Dale Hubler, Times-Union Sports Editor- | July 28, 2016

Vikings Show Improvement Against Plymouth

AKRON -ÊAfter the first game of the season (an overtime loss to South Bend St.Joseph), Tippecanoe Valley coach Bill Patrick hoped it would be a wake-up call for his team. It wasn't just a wake up call, it was a bucket-of-cold-water-in-the-face-shocking dose of reality. "Before the first game, the kids were not listening in practice," said Patrick."They were not understanding what we wanted them to do." Tuesday night in Akron, the Vikings hosted Plymouth.But it did not look like the Viking squad that played that overtime game just a few weeks ago. The Valley squad showed much improvement and defeated the Pilgrims 56-45. "I went home after the St.Joe game and wondered if we would win a game all season," said Patrick."I made the guys watch the film of the game - the whole film, not just parts of it - and then I asked them if that's how they planned to play all season.It opened their eyes.I think it was a real wake up call for them.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Sports Editor- | July 28, 2016

Eagles Tame Wildcats

COLUMBIA CITY - In a game with the Columbia City Eagles Wednesday, the evening before families sat down to eat turkey, it was foul trouble that did in Whitko's varsity boys basketball team. On the strength of a 27-of-34 performance at the free throw line, Columbia City soared to a season-opening 66-41 win. While the Eagles were whistled for eight fouls, the Wildcats committed 23 personal fouls. "Fortunately, we got to the line and knocked down those shots," Columbia City coach Chris Benedict said."That (27 points at line) was huge." Controlling the boards in the first quarter with 6-foot-4 senior center Josh Hoffman, Whitko held a 13-12 lead going into the second stanza. Hoffman scored eight points and pulled down eight rebounds in the opening frame.
DALE HUBLER, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw Boys Beat Rochester

By school enrollment, Warsaw vs.Rochester would be a David-and-Goliath situation. On the basketball court Friday night, however, it was a physical contest that went down to the wire. When all was said and done, Class 4A Warsaw came away with a 51-48 win over Class 2A Rochester in the Tiger Den. "We're young," said Rochester coach Rob Malchow, whose team has just one senior on its 11-man varsity roster."Coming up to Warsaw, we knew it was going to take a special effort.We had a couple missed opportunities here and there.I thought our effort was outstanding.We got better.This isn't a conference game for us.We'll keep getting better." Rochester fell to 2-2 on the season while Warsaw improved to 4-2.The Tigers, who won an overtime thriller at Rochester last year, are 3-1 in the Tiger Den this season.
Dale Hubler, Times-Union Sports Editor- | July 28, 2016

TRC Football Teams Named

Whitko placed two players the first team defense, while Valley had two on offense to lead area teams for All-Three Rivers Conference honors. Valley had Darren Parker honored at wide receiver and Nick Stutzman at running back on offense. For Whitko, Jimmy Linn (secondary) and Mark Rakoczy (linebacker) were honored on defense. Whitko placed a third player on the first team with Ray Smith being honored at guard on offense. The lists appear below.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

On The Court Basketball Previews

COLUMBIA CITY AT WARSAW Tip-off: 6:15 p.m.Saturday in Warsaw Coaches: Chris Benedict (Columbia City); Al Rhodes (Warsaw) Records: Columbia City 1-0; Warsaw 0-1 Last Game: Columbia City 66, Whitko 41; Tippecanoe Valley 59, Warsaw 56 Last Year: Warsaw 38, Columbia City 37 Matchup: Warsaw hit just 20 of 57 field goals and 14 of 26 free throws in a home loss against Tippecanoe Valley.The Tigers dominated inside as far as rebounding and shot opportunities, but they couldn't get their shots to fall.Josh Buck led the Tigers with 21 points, but he scored his points on 8-of-26 shooting from the field and 4-of-8 shooting from the line.Warsaw showed no signs of having a perimeter threat against Valley.Columbia City hit 27 of 34 free throws in its opener against Whitko.Trevor Shively led the Eagles with 16 points, while Bob Dye added 14 and Jon Pettigrew added 11.
Times-Union Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Squires Top Rival Whitko 52-37

North Manchester - The weather outside was frightful and the basketball played inside was equally scary, as far as the Whitko Wildcats girls basketball teamed was concerned. With temperatures dipping near 15 degrees, the Wildcats were every bit as cold in falling to the Manchester Squires 52-37 in Friday's Three Rivers Conference game. The Squires used a 13-4 second-quarter scoring advantage to put a once close game into the win column. The Wildcats held a 10-9 lead after the first period, thanks to senior center Monica Sands.Sands scored all 10 Wildcat points, giving Whitko its final lead of the evening. Manchester built its lead due Heather Terflinger's and Carrie White's play in the second period.Terflinger and White each scored three points. Manchester decided to hold the ball for the remaining 2:12 seconds of the second period as Whitko coach Mike Sands and both referees inexplicably allowed the Squires to run out the half.
Rick Blue, Times-Union Sports Correspondent- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw Routs Homestead 82-53

FORT WAYNE -ÊGoing into the game against Homestead Saturday night, the Warsaw girls basketball team was expecting a challenge.But a challenge is one thing they didn't find. Fueled by strong play from starters and bench players alike, Warsaw downed Homestead 82-53. "Normally Homestead's defense is a lot stronger," said Warsaw coach Will Wienhorst."I don't know what happened.I think they have a lot of new people." Homestead got started on the right foot as the Spartans grabbed the first possession and sophomore Courtney Magley netted a three-pointer, giving Homestead a 3-0 lead. After Tiger sparkplug Hilary O'Connell scored the first basket for the Tigers, Homestead still held the lead 3-2.But then junior Natalie Chabot gave the Tigers the first lead of the game, 4-3, with a basket of her own. And from that point on, Tigers never looked back.
Jen Gibson, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw Triumphs At Carroll Volleyball Sectional

FORT WAYNE -ÊThe Warsaw Tiger volleyball roster reads like a who's who of recent Tiger sports history.With names like Seiss, DeGeeter, Barrett, Clay, and Krizmanich, the lineage was there. Saturday the ladies did what few of their siblings could do: capture a sectional title. The Tigers began their day against an upstart Fort Wayne Carroll squad. Carroll, the sight of the sectional, provided little advantage for the Chargers.Despite getting out to early leads in the first two games,the Chargers fell to the quicker and more athletic Tigers.After two competitive games of 21-18 and 21-17, the Tigers imposed their will and superior talent in the deciding game (21-6). Afterwards Warsaw coach Doug West kept things in perspective. "We know we have to win six games to win the sectional and we took care of three right here," said West.
DAN RIORDAN, Times-Union Sports Correspondent- | July 28, 2016

Scrimmage Opens Warsaw's '99 Season

Warsaw coach Al Rhodes got a taste of what the boys basketball season will be like after facing off against Kokomo in a scrimmage Thursday night. The scrimmage consisted of three 15-minute quarters followed by six pairs of game situations.Warsaw came out on top in two of the three quarters and five of the 12 situations.The Tigers tied the Wildkats in three other situations while Kokomo came out on top in four. In the first two quarters, fullcourt defense was not allowed, with teams playing half-court man-to-man defense only in the 15 minutes.In the second quarter, the teams were allowed to play half-court zones and switching defenses.In the final quarter of the scrimmage, the teams were allowed to play a full-court defense. "I think we competed well in the scrimmage," said Rhodes."Defensively, our man-for-man is in good shape for this point in the season.We played a lot of combinations offensively, and our offense suffered at times.
Jen Gibson, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016
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