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NorthWood Advances To State Finals

PERU - Take nothing away from the NorthWood girls basketball team, but in some ways they are like the National Football League's Buffalo Bills. The Bills were known for making it to the Super Bowl and then losing.They did this four consecutive years.NorthWood had made it to the semistate level of the state tournament five consecutive years prior to this season; they advanced just one time: the 1996-97 season. "That (going to state) is what you work for," said NorthWood senior Amy Zercher."If you don't make it, it's a waste.I'll say it, it would've been a waste." Would have. With a 56-47 win over Westfield (23-3), NorthWood (23-3) is going to the 3A state championship.
DALE HUBLER, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Whitko Runs Out Of Magic

PERU - You can't blame them for trying. Kevin Miller and Jeremiah Laws broke out old Whitko jerseys for Friday night's game against heavily favored Peru.The off-white uniforms with blue numbers stood out against the rest of the teams' white shirts with red numbers.Maybe Miller and Laws hoped that a bit of the old Whitko magic would still be lingering on those jerseys.And for most of the first half, that seemed to be the case. But in the end, Peru was just too strong and athletic in expanding a seven-point halftime lead for a 76-53 home victory in the sectional semifinal game. For the Wildcats, the game marked the end of season No.1 under Fred Fields and will go down as the worst season in school history with a final record of 5-17, outdoing last year's 10-11 record.
Jason Knavel, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Valley Drops Softball Opener

MENTONE - The Valley softball team fought back from a 4-0 deficit to tie the game, but Maconaquah scored a run in the sixth to pick up a 5-4 win despite getting just four hits Thursday. Brooke Fisher led the Vikings with three hits and added an RBI.Aubrey Engstrand had a pair of hits and Brandi Manns and Mary Martin both drove in runs.Manns, Martin, Brandi Fisher and Alyssa VanCleave all had singles. Valley (0-1) will be at Goshen on April 14.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Whitko Falls To NorthWood In OT On Senior Night

SOUTH WHITLEY -ÊFriday night was senior night at Whitko High School, and the Wildcats were looking for a win over NorthWood.However, despite a hard-fought game the Whitko squad was unable to outlast the Panthers and fell 82-80 in overtime. NorthWood started the first quarter by taking a 4-0 lead after Ryne Lightfoot and Josh Sabo hit back-to-back baskets. Then at the 6:47 mark, Whitko senior Derrick Day split the net with a three-pointer, and streams of toilet paper flowed from the stands, as is tradition when the first Wildcat basket is scored on senior night. But Day's trey was followed by two more NorthWood baskets, making the score 8-3 Panthers. A three-pointer by Tim Stoffel at the 5:41 point sparked the Wildcat crowd and cut Northwood's lead to two, 8-6. Four minutes later, a three-pointer by Day put Whitko within one, 14-13.Lightfoot answered with his own basket, putting NorthWood up 16-13.
Jen Gibson, TImes-Union sSports Editor- | July 28, 2016

City Too Much For Squires

COLUMBIA CITY - As the first game in the Columbia City Sectional was winding down, a shout of "We want Manchester" could be heard coming from the Tippecanoe Valley cheering crowd.Valley was winding down a 21-point victory over Central Noble, but the sting of a 34-point loss to the Squires still lingered in the collective minds of the Vikings. All Manchester had to do was defeat Columbia City on the Golden Eagles' home floor, and Valley could get the rematch it wanted. That, of course, is not quite as easy as it sounds.Columbia City has not won a sectional title since 1978, but this team wants to change that.Some feel that the Golden Eagles are the favorite because of their tough schedule and the home court advantage. Sure enough, Columbia City came out early and ended strong to get into the sectional finals with a 61-46 win over a never-say-die Manchester squad.
JASON KNAVEL, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

High School Baseball Season Begins

One thing all high school coaches must deal with is losing players to graduation.Each year new players come in as the experienced players move on. This year is no different for several area schools.For example, Warsaw Community High School will be without Steve Siebenmorgen, Craig Lankford, Jon Walmer and Zach Nelson.Siebenmorgen, a 3-1/2 year starter at the catcher position earned all-state and all-NLC honors last year.Lankford, a left-handed pitcher, was a four-year starter.Walmer was Warsaw's starting shortstop.
Jen Gibson, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Lancer Men Stun No. 16 St. Francis

FORT WAYNE - It was the defensive stop that extended the season for the Grace College men's basketball team Wednesday night in the Mid-Central Conference Tournament first round against NAIA No.16 and No.2 seed St.Francis. Leading 83-81 with 23 seconds to play, the Lancers inbounded the ball to Brian O'Dell, who threw an errant pass under the St.Francis basket to Cougar star Ben Meyer.But senior Ben Tonagel forced Meyer to attempt an off-balanced layup that missed and the Lancers went on for an 87-83 win. The layup would have tied the game, but O'Dell and Chris Irwin combined to make 6 of 6 free-throws in the final 33 seconds of action to keep St.Francis four points behind.
Jason Knavel, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Warriors Look To Clean Up Again This Year

SYRACUSE - Wawasee's softball team went 19-10 last year and advanced to the regional finals.With only four seniors on that team, the Warriors return several starters and return hopes for another good season. "Defensively, we have everyone back except for three people: Heather Vanlaningham at catcher, Jennifer Morgan at pitcher and Kathy Boggs at second base," Wawasee coach Bo O'Dell said."We have seven letterwinners returning, so we should be a good defensive team." Some coaches still have few, if any, starting players named. O'Dell is not one of them.Except for a few places, he has his team ready to go for the April 15 home opener against Columbia City. He has junior Amy Gingerich at catcher, senior Angie Hoover at first, senior Heather Levernier at second, senior Carly Beer at third, junior Kari Wortinger at shortstop, senior Jenny Szynal in the outfield and sophomore Sara Frantz in the outfield.
Jeff Holsinger, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Long Live Wawasee's Streak

The Wawasee girls' track team fell victim to the Concord Minutemen on Thursday 63-60, but not without a fight.The meet came down to the final lap of the final race to decide the winner. The meet was even the entire way, and with three races left, Wawasee and Concord were knotted at 50-50.Concord had dominated the short distance and field events all evening, while Wawasee had dominated the relay and long distance events. In the 200 dash, Concord's Nikkie Kellie and Stacey Peterson came in first and second to put the Minutemen ahead by seven, but the 3200 meter run was next.Wawasee grabbed the top three spots as Alisha Henderson, Aubrey Coy and Mary Cockburn put Wawasee ahead 60-58 with only the 1600 relay to go. Wawasee ran out to a big lead in the four-lap race.However, on the final turn of the final lap, the Concord anchor Stacey Peterson took over the lead and ran on for the victory.The Minutemen won with a time of 4:18.6 seconds while Wawasee ran a 4:22.6.
JASON KNAVEL, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Valley Finishes 14-6

WALKERTON -ÊFueled by a 21-point third quarter, the Tippecanoe Valley Vikings defeated John Glenn 57-51. The Vikings were behind 27-24 at the half but came back strong in the last two quarters of play. Brandon Eaton led the Viking scoring drive with 18 points, and Noah Silveus added 12 points. The Vikings, now 14-6, will face Class 3A No.5 Peru in sectional action at Whitko Tuesday. Valley 13 11 21 12 - 57 Glenn 9 18 12 12 - 51 Valley - Shepherd 3 0-0 6, Shafer 0 0-0 0, Silveus 4 2-2 12, Domenico 0 0-0 0, Snyder 1 0-0 2, Kuhn 3 1-4 7, Prater 1 0-0 2, New 1 0-0 2, Eaton 6 6-8 18, Cumberland 3 2-2 8.Totals 22 11-16 57. Glenn - Alexander 1 0-0 2, Alspaugh 1 1-1 3, Smith 2 0-0 4, Adkins 9 1-1 20, Stedman 4 0-0 8, Malstaff 0 0-0 0, Tetzlaff 1 2-2 4, Jerrell 2 0-0 4, Misen 0 0-0 0, Hulse 3 0-0 6.Totals 23 4-4 51. Three-point goals - Valley 2 (Silveus 2), Glenn 1 (Adkins). JV Score - Glenn 51, Valley 40.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Baber Guides Warsaw Tennis

When the Warsaw tennis team hits the court for its first match this season, there will be some new faces. On the sideline. Mike Baber, who was an assistant at Huntington College last year, has taken the helm as head coach at Warsaw this season.Baber graduated from Huntington College in 1998 and stayed in the community last year to coach the men's and women's tennis teams.Last year, Huntington's men's team received an at-large bid to nationals after finishing the season 19-3, while the women finished 6-7 in a rebuilding year. After coaching at the college level, Baber noticed differences in high school tennis.
Jen Gibson, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Squires Stop Henson, Wildcats

Every year all Manchester basketball players visit their favorite barber the week of the sectional and walk away with buzzcuts.No exception.Everyone gets his head shaved.It's a team unity thing. It's also tradition, they told their first-year coach. Goshert's team just won a conference title last Friday.Coaches are often creatures of habit, and Goshert is no exception. "My first response was, 'Gee, things are going pretty well right now.I'd hate to change anything,'" he said. Goshert was smart enough to know he was fighting a losing battle.Those boys weren't about to end their ritual.The hair got buzzed. Turns out the hair didn't affect their play on the court much anyway.The Squires beat the school they most love to beat, Whitko, 48-46.They opened Tuesday's Columbia City Sectional with the win. Manchester, 13-8, meets Columbia City on Thursday.Whitko finished 10-11, the first losing season in school history.
Jeff Holsinger, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Panthers Arrive For Second Half

NAPPANEE - The NorthWood Panthers have had an outstanding boys basketball season.They are the Northern Lakes Conference champions, the first time in school history that the Panthers have won the title by themselves, They finished the regular season at 14-6, only losing one home game all year. After all the positives for the Panthers, they were very excited to host their own sectional.Coming into the Class 3A NorthWood Sectional on Tuesday, this sectional was rated the seventh toughest sectional in the state according to Jeff Sagarin's ratings. In order for the Panthers to move on to Friday's semi-final game, they would have to beat NLC rival Wawasee first.The Panthers, who beat Wawasee 70-41 during the regular season had a lot at stake. After playing sloppy basketball the first half, the Panthers picked up their intensity and ended the Warriors' season winning 62-48.
Craig Helfrich, Times-Union Sports Correspondent- | July 28, 2016

Elkhart Central Spoils Warsaw's Sectional Bid

ELKHART -ÊThe old Pat Benetar song is called "Hit Me With Your Best Shot." Warsaw basketball coach Al Rhodes can identify with Benetar, because he has talked early and often how teams fire up to play his Tigers. Fort Wayne North Side.Huntington North.Marion. Now Rhodes can add one more team to the list: Elkhart Central. The Blue Blazers (15-7) knocked off Warsaw (18-4) 53-51 in Friday's Elkhart Central Sectional championship game.The sectional title is the second straight for Elkhart Central. The Blue Blazers committed only six turnovers in the game and limited the Tigers, who shot 52 percent from the field this season, to 38 percent shooting (17 of 45). Here is where Central has come from: from a one-time 6-6 record, from a 69-53 regular-season loss to Warsaw to a sectional win over Warsaw.
Jeff Holsinger, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Blazers Have Reversal Of Fortune

ELKHART - What a difference a week makes. In the seven days since Warsaw beat Elkhart Central in double overtime, a lot has changed.The scene moved from the Tiger Den to North Side gym, the Tigers lost their main man in the middle in Luke Reed and ultimately the Blazers came up with the biggest change of them all - a reversal of fortune in the Elkhart Boys Basketball 3A Sectional semifinals with a 63-48 win over the Tigers.
Greg Jones, Times-Union Sports Editor- | July 28, 2016

Warrior Golf Team Deals With Increased Expectations

Wawasee's boys golf team went 15-3 and finished 13th at last year's state finals. Because they returned four starters from that team, they found themselves ranked No.5 in the high school golf preseason poll. A ranking, said coach Don Deck, that was probably not accurate. The Warriors opened their season earlier than most local teams, competing two weeks ago in the Fuzzy Zoeller Invitational and then competing last week in the Hall of Fame Invitational. "We got the crap kicked out of us by the southern schools," Deck said, "but they were three to four weeks ahead of us.We went from being way overrated to being unrated." At the same time, Deck acknowleged, "We did not play anywhere near to our capabilities." Where the Warriors should be ranked may be up for debate, but barring a catastrophe, they should be one of the best teams in the area.
Jeff Holsinger, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Viking Girls Refuse To Lose - So They Don't

BOURBON -ÊTuesday night's eighth-grade girls basketball game was a little bit different than many others this year. With a television camera, a newpaper reporter, the high school coach and an unusually large crowd in attendance, the Tippecanoe Valley eighth grade girls basketball team made history by winning its 49th straight game. The five core players, Abby Shafer, Rebekah Parker, Caty Patterson, Beth Leckrone and Carli Anglin, have been hitting the court together for several years.The girls have not lost a game since their first official matchup in the sixth grade.
Jen Gibson, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

Talented Tigers Face High Expectation

What a difference a few years can make. When Craig Helfrich signed on as the softball coach at Warsaw two years ago, the team was not exactly what you would call a dominant force. "When I took over the program, there was not much enthusiasm here," said Helfrich."The winning attitude was not there." But last year, Helfrich led his Tigers to a spot few people thought they would be: The regional championship game. "Our team was 21-12 last year.We won our first sectional since 1995, and we lost the regional championship by one run to Lafayette Jefferson, 3-2," said Helfrich."No one expected us to do anything, and we were just one batter from the state game." Which leads many folks to believe that Warsaw will have a strong season this year. "A lot of successful coaches around the state are talking about this Warsaw team," said Helfrich."They say we are going to be tough this year.
Jen Gibson, Times-Union Sports Writer- | July 28, 2016

College Roundup

WINONA LAKE -ÊThe Grace College softball team opened Mid-Central Conference play Thursday against Goshen and was swept 9-6 and 6-2. In the opener, Goshen scored four runs in the second to jump out to the lead and never looked back.The Maple Leafs added four more runs in the fifth to seal the win.Grace's Kelli Irish went 2 for 4 with a double and two RBIs in the loss.Elicia Defreez went 3 for 4 for the Lancers. In the second game, Goshen scored one in the fourth and two in the second to go ahead 3-0.The Lancers cut into the deficit on an RBI double from Irish but never got closer than two runs. Grace falls to 1-9 overall and 0-2 in the MCC.The Lancers will play at St.Xavier at 3 p.m.today. GOSHEN 9, GRACE 6 Goshen 040 140 0 - 9 10 4 Grace 011 004 0 - 6 12 4 WP -ÊLewis.LP -ÊNikki Chessum (1-4).
Times-Union Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Tigers Are On A Tear

Warsaw coach Will Wienhorst doesn't want his Tigers' girls basketball team to be so giving to Fort Wayne Snider this time around. The last time these two Warsaw Regional opponents met was back on Jan.17.The Panthers came away with a 54-47 win over the Tigers after receiving some freebies as in free throws to start the game. Warsaw opened up with what was supposed to be a token fullcourt press to hurry the Panthers' offense up.What actually happened was the Tigers got a little overzealous and fouled the Panthers, and fouled and fouled... All told, Snider ended up in the double bonus and knocking down 10 of 14 from the charity stripe - all in the first quarter.Warsaw's Jessica Zaugg had three personal fouls before Wienhorst could even get her on the bench in the first period.
Greg Jones, Times-Union Sports Editor- | July 28, 2016
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