Warsaw Drops Another Close Contest

The Tiger Den has lost its roar. Not only did Warsaw drop another close boys basketball game, but the 54-52 loss to Huntington was the Tigers' fourth defeat (out of six) of the season at the supposed friendly confines.This is by a program that entered the season with a 26-game home winning streak.The four defeats have come by a combined seven points. Entering the fourth quarter, it looked as though it wouldn't be a close home loss, but a big home loss.The Vikings opened up a 45-37 lead starting the fourth and just came off a 3-of-13 shooting performance in the third period. But the Vikings' delay game backfired, and Warsaw slowly got back into the game.Two free throws by Zach Nelson and a layup by Luke Reed cut the lead to 47-45 midway through the fourth. Warsaw still trailed 52-49 with a minute left in the game when Chris Wiggins buried a big three-pointer from the corner to tie the score.Huntington ran the clock down and called a timeout with 30 seconds left.

Warsaw Senior Overcomes Obstacles

On the football field, he excels with good technique, speed and quickness. On the basketball court, as the starting point guard, he shoots 50 percent from the field and averages four assists and four rebounds per game. In life, however, it's a pair of broad shoulders that have helped 5-foot-11, 220-pound Warsaw Community High School senior Shaun Cabrera. While he appears to do things effortlessly in athletics, life hasn't been as easy. Don't tell Cabrera that, though, he doesn't come across as the kind of guy who wants a sympathy vote. "It's happened, it's in the past," Cabrera said of some of the trials he's gone through."Everything happens for a reason.There's a lot of people that have it worse than I do.Things could always be a lot worse." This coming from a high school kid who "never had a relationship with" his father.

On The Court Basketball Previews

Grace Wins, Gets Matchup With No. 1 Bethel

WINONA LAKE - Senior leadership and freshman enthusiasm. The Grace Lancers found out just how wonderful those two factors can be on Tuesday in the first round of the Mid-Central Conference Tournament. Seniors Darren Gagnon and Bert McLaughlin combined for 27 points, 17 rebounds, and nine assists, while freshmen Ben Elliott and Caleb Gilmer totaled 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting as the Lancers defeated the Marian Knights 72-62. Not to be outdone, juniors Andy Schmidt and James Joiner chipped in nine points and six assists in the critical second half as the Lancers opened up a tight game in the final six minutes to pick up their 21st victory of the season. Grace opened up slowly, scoring just 16 points in the first 14 minutes.But the defense showed up, and Marian could only muster 16 points in that same span. However, in the final six minutes of the half, both teams got hot, and the Lancers took a 31-30 lead into the lockerroom after a strange 20 minutes.

Rose Window In Bloom Again At Camp Mack

MILFORD - Every year people come from across the United States to see the Church of the Brethren historical murals in Quinter-Miller auditorium at Camp Alexander Mack.Now, after nearly a third of a century, visitors to Camp Mack may again see the round, 11-foot diameter stained glass window high above the altar in the auditorium. For years this large Rose Window at the front of Quinter-Miller was covered as its deteriorated condition was precarious.Some thought the glass may have fallen down between the wall and the outside of the building.Many had almost given up hope of ever again seeing the sun streaming through that magnificent stained glass window.People visiting the camp during the last 30 years never experienced this rose. Occasionally someone would dream of repairing the window, but the feeling was that even if a way could be found to restore the window, the cost would likely be prohibitive.And so year after year, the window remained covered.

Vikings Advance To Sectional Final

PLYMOUTH -ÊThe Tippecanoe Valley girls basketball team took one step closer to meeting its goal of becoming the Plymouth Sectional champion by defeating Whitko 65-22 Friday night. "We want to keep the streak alive," said Valley coach Gary Teel."We want to be the sectional champions." Although the Vikings were listed as the visitors on the scoreboard, they made themselves at home in Plymouth's gym.Valley jumped out to an early lead as Rebekah Parker, Sherise Denny and Kara Kramer combined for the first 10 points of the game. But the Vikings did not stop there. Abby Shafer scored baskets at the 1:55 mark and the 1:28 mark to put the Vikings up 14-0 going into the second frame. Valley's Holly Green, Kramer and Denny continued the assault early in the second quarter of play, building a 23-0 lead. Whitko's first score of the game came at the hands of Dana Sellers.She hit a basket with 5:21 left in the second frame to make the score 23-2.

On The Court...Tonight

No.16 Plymouth At Valley TIPOFF: 7:30 p.m.at Mentone Coaches: Jack Edison (Plymouth); Gregg Sciarra (Valley) Records: Plymouth 16-2; Tippecanoe Valley 9-9 LAST GAME: Plymouth 58, Argos 37; Triton 67, Valley 41 Matchup: The return of Jeff Brown and NIck Stutzman from a four-game suspension will bolster the Vikings against the talented Pilgrims.And Valley will need it.Plymouth is led by the one-two scoring punch of Nick Wise and Brian Wray.Brown and Stutzman will bring back almost 30 points and 13 rebounds a game combined.

Wawasee Girls Nail Northridge

SYRACUSE - It wasn't supposed to be so easy for the Wawasee Warriors girls basketball team in the first round of the sectional Tuesday night.The first time Wawasee and Northridge tangled, the game went down to the wire, and this one was expected to be the same. This time, the game was never really in doubt as the Warriors stifling defense held the Raiders to 25-percent shooting from the floor and just one three-pointer in 17 attempts.That translated into a 43-29 Wawasee victory and the right to advance to the semifinal round on Friday. "We had that attitude that you get when you just expect to win," Wawasee head coach Mark Sumpter said."There was no doubt in their mind that they were going to win tonight." The Warriors got production from almost everyone that stepped on the floor Friday night whether starter or backup.

Rochester Buries Whitko 82-33

ROCHESTER - Whitko head coach Steve Pickett knew the Rochester Zebras were a very talented and experienced team. But he had no idea they could shoot 78 percent (29 of 37) from the field and then hold his Wildcats to a dismal 21 percent (11 of 52). The result was an impressive 82-33 victory for Rochester. "It's extremely disappointing, because I thought we had a very good week of practice," Pickett said."I scouted Rochester twice (last week).I really felt like I knew what they were gonna do." The fact that the Wildcats had two players, Bryan Howard and J.R.Manuel, leave the team recently didn't help matters. "That had nothing to do with it (loss)," Pickett said."We've really struggled with the pressure and missing open shots." Rochester's Blake Newton made two of his four three-pointers in the first quarter to get the Zebras (9-7, 3-3 Three Rivers Conference) off to a 19-8 lead after one.

Triton Wins Sectional Title

CULVER -ÊThe Triton girls basketball team surprised some folks last year when they won the state championship.But the Trojans are not going to sneak up on anyone this season and have a target on their backs for other teams to aim at.After all, everyone wants to be the team that knocks off the state champion. However, the Trojans showed why they are ranked No.1 in Class A and the returning state champions Saturday night when they pounded Oregon Davis 72-43 in the final game of the Culver Sectional. Triton started the game with a 7-0 run and held the lead throughout the game.The Trojans held Oregon-Davis to just four points in the first frame and took a 15-4 advantage into the second quarter. The Trojans continued to show the Bobcats who was boss through the second frame, giving up just nine points.By the end of the first half, Triton held a 35-13 lead.

Vikings Fall To Bishop Luers In Regional Final

PERU -Ê"Sometimes no matter how hard you try, things don't work out the way you want them to," said Tippecanoe Valley girls basketball coach Gary Teel. Teel's 3A No.3 Vikings wanted to be playing in the semistate Saturday in Warsaw, but the Fort Wayne 3a No.4 Bishop Luers Knights ended that dream Saturday, defeating the Vikings 57-46 in the championship game of the Peru Regional. However, that 11-point spread is a bit deceiving, considering the Vikings were within one point with 5:40 left in the fourth frame. "We were so close," said Teel."But we just couldn't get over the hump in the fourth quarter.We tried our best, but we just couldn't seem to get them." Luers hit key free throws in the final minutes of the regional championship to extend its lead and get the 11-point win. Jessica Hathaway opened the scoring for Luers with a basket at the 6:44 mark in the first quarter.

Panthers Survive Missed Freebies

NAPPANEE - Free throws have proven to be a thorn in the side of the NorthWood Panthers boys basketball team this season.They almost proved to be too much on Thursday against the No.5 (2A) Bremen Lions.NorthWood made just 11 of 23 freebies, including just 1 of 10 in the fourth quarter, but the Panthers held off Bremen 48-46 in a game that came down to the final possession. Bremen had the experience advantage with recent close games, but the Panthers were just a bit too strong.This was the Lions' 10th game that came down to the wire.Bremen was 7-2 in similar games before Thursday, but the Lions just couldn't get the shots to fall when the game was on the line. "Our kids know what to do," Bremen head coach Gary Hudson said."I think we did it tonight, we just ran out of time." Bobby Brown had a solid game with eight rebounds, three assists and two steals.However, he had just 11 points after scoring 31 against Mishawaka on Saturday.

Tigers Return To Business As Usual

With no dignitaries or documentary crews in attendance at Warsaw's 56-43 Friday win over Gary Wirt for boys basketball coach Al Rhodes to talk about -Êas was the case the last two weeks -Êhe was left talking about spells where his team struggled. "I thought we had some spells where we didn't play well," said Rhodes."I thought in the first quarter we played well.If it were not for three or four missed layups we would have had a big lead." With under three minutes remaining in the opening quarter, continuing through the first three minutes of the second stanza, the Tigers built a comfortable lead, but couldn't sustain it. Wirt's Brandon Lee connected on a field goal attempt at the 2:39 mark of the first quarter cutting Warsaw's lead to 11-10.Warsaw then went on a 10-0 run sparked by a Steve Siebenmorgen three-pointer.When sophomore Brad Seiss scored his third field goal of the game, a bucket with 5:23 remaining in the first half, the Tigers took a 21-10 lead.

Four Local Wrestlers Advance To State

FORT WAYNE -ÊFour area wrestlers placed in the top four at the Fort Wayne Semistate and will make the trip to Conseco Field House for the state finals. Warsaw sends two, Kris Hueber, who was champion at 215 pounds, and Kyle Boley (130 pounds), who finished in fourth place. Wawasee's Josh Roa took third at 145 pounds as he defeated Manchester's Josh Staton, who took fourth place.Both advance to the state finals. Other area wrestlers did not reach the semifinals but were eliminated in the early rounds, ending their seasons. The only area champion was Warsaw senior Kris Hueber (215), who boosted his record to 33-4. First Hueber nailed an Elwood senior, Jake Turner, in 2:39.In the semifinal Hueber outscored New Haven's Zac Dommer 9-5 to earn a place in the championship round.There Hueber faced Plymouth's Mark Palbykin for the fifth time this season.

Southwood Defeats Whitko Wildcats 66-57

South Whitey- Friday night was Senior Night at Whitko High school. The student body, along with parents and fans alike, saluted the boys basketball team for their years of service to their high school.The players responded by going out and hanging with 15-2 Southwood for most of the game before falling 66-57. The game started with a jumper by Whitko's Shane Henderson.The students then proceeded to throw rolls of toliet paper onto the floor.This is a tradition on Senior Night at Whitko.It took a few minutes for the toliet paper to be cleaned up off the floor.Despite the stoppage in play, Whitko remained hot as the Wildcats started the game with an 8-2 run. The Knights answered right back, however, as they rattled off seven straight points to get back into the game.

NorthWood Starters Finish Off Wawasee

NAPPANEE - The NorthWood Panthers proved that you don't necessarily need a bench to be successful Friday night.NorthWood's starters scored all 34 of the Panthers' first-half points and 58 of their 66 total points in a 66-46 win over Wawasee. Nic Bradley and Bobby Brown scored 16 points each, and Eric Zell had 15 points as the Panthers improved to 3-3 in the Northern Lakes Conference. "Bradley did a nice job for us and had one of his better games," NorthWood coach Dan Gunn said."Zell played well in the post and did a good job on Stipp." Wawasee's starters, on the other hand, struggled to find the shooting touch and combined to score just 14 points.Chris Lambert came off the bench to lead the Warriors with 13 points, and Jordan Bender added 10, also as a non-starter.

SYRACUSE - Kem Zolman sat on the bench, watching his players cut down the basketball net while Katina and The Wave's "Walking On Sunshine" blared through speakers hanging in the gym.

Wawasee's varsity girls basketball team, led by freshmen and sophomores, beat Angola 45-39 in Saturday's Wawasee 3A Sectional championship.More than 2,000 fans watched the Warriors win their first sectional title since 1986. Early last week, Zolman thought his Warriors needed "divine intervention" to win the sectional.But here they were, and he may have been as surprised as anyone that the title came in 2000.

On The Court...Friday

MANCHESTER AT NORTHFIELD TIPOFF: 8 p.m.at Wabash COACHES: Gary Goshert (Manchester), Chris Keisling (Northfield) RECORDS: Manchester 11-8, 5-1 TRC; Northfield 13-5, 5-1 TRC LAST GAME: Manchester 68, Harding 46; Northfield 90, Rochester 63 MATCHUP: ...This is Indiana high school basketball at its finest - a conference title on the line in the last game of the regular season.Goshert has compared playing this big high school conference game before the sectional to college teams playing conference tournaments before the NCAA tournament.When the Norsemen have gotten the ball inside to 6-foot-7 senior center Dewayne Krom, they've been OK.At times earlier this season, the Norsemen strayed from that game plan and fell in love with the three-pointer.No longer.Krom, an All-State candidate averaging 21 points and 10 rebounds per game, has scored 30 or more in three of the last five games.

Whitko Wins 70-65

FORT WAYNE - With a 70-65 win at Fort Wayne North Wednesday evening, Whitko's varsity boys basketball team is back at .500 with a 9-9 record.North Side, a team that topped Whitko 87-68 a year ago, falls to 2-15 on the season. Whitko trailed 17-16 after one quarter of play and then 33-25 at halftime.The Wildcats outscored the Redskins 24-17 in the third and 21-15 in the fourth to pick up the win. Whitko senior Josh Hoffman scored a game-high 19 points, while sophomore Alex Frantz added 16 points in the win.Joe Poindexter led North Side with 17 points. WHITKO 70, FORT WAYNE NORTH 65 Whitko (9-9) 16 9 24 21 - 70 North Side (2-15) 17 16 17 15 - 65 Whitko - Adam Wendel 2 2-2 6, Anthony Clausen 0 0-0 0, Drew Lopshire 1 3-5 5, Alan Robbins 0 2-2 2, Brad Walpole 2 3-4 7, Alex Frantz 7 2-2 16, Brent Goble 1 2-2 4, Ben Garber 3 3-5 9, John Woods 0 2-4 2.Totals 23 24-33 70.

Valley Vikings Oust Oak Hill 82-69

MENTONE - When Bill Patrick took the head coaching job at Valley he brought with him 478 wins. Members of the media as well as fans alike immediately began speculating how soon the ex- Whitko coach could turn Valley, a 6-15 first-round sectional loser last year, into a winning program and then pick up his 500th career victory. After Friday night's 82-69 home win over Three Rivers Conference rival Oak Hill, Patrick needs just nine victories to reach the elusive plateau.The win improved Valley's season record to 13-6 and 5-2 in the conference.Oak Hill fell to 8-10 and 4-3.