Marriage Is An Institution

At the risk of being labeled a homophobe, I guess I'll foist upon you my opinion regarding "gay marriage." (I never understood that term, homophobe.I don't drink a lot of milk, but nobody would call me a dairyphobe.) For the record, let me say that I don't begrudge anyone the right to be gay.I don't think government has any role in what happens in a bedroom between two consenting adults. And while it certainly isn't my cup of tea, I don't think there should be a law against being gay.Also, I don't think people should suffer discrimination because they're gay. But this marriage thing is a bit unsettling to me.

Squires Stay Perfect In TRC

NORTH MANCHESTER - The 1983 Chicago White Sox, who won 99 games and finished 20 games ahead of second place in the division, were tagged with the slogan "Winnin' Ugly." Manchester's girls basketball team knows winning ugly.The Squires have been doing it recently.They did it again Thursday night.The 15-2 Squires overcame a 38-38 tie at the end of the third quarter with a 5-11 Tippecanoe Valley team to win 61-51. Is this what you call winning ugly, Coach Jody Shewman? "Real ugly," the Manchester coach said."And it is a 'W.' But it wasn't pretty." Pretty or ugly, Manchester improved to 5-0 in the Three Rivers Conference.The Squires also maintained their dominance at home, upping their record to 7-0 with one home game to play, against Rochester on Feb.5.Six of those seven wins have been by 10 points or more.

Valley Girls Win TRC Title

AKRON - Tippecanoe Valley played host to the Southwood Knights Friday night in a Three Rivers Conference girls basketball game.The Vikings outlasted the Knights 62-53. Valley started the first quarter with a run.Valley outscored the Knights 11-1 in the first four minutes of the quarter.The Knights scored their first field goal of the game at 3:58. Valley was outscored 9-5 for the rest of the quarter to bring Southwood within six at 16-10. "Chelsey Rhoades did a great job for us in the first.She had to play some tough defense tonight.It kind of takes the legs out of a person.It's not good when your best shooter starts to get tired," Valley coach Gary Teel said. Valley started the second quarter with a 5-0 run to go up 21-10.Southwood then scored six straight points to take its first and only lead of the game at 24-23.The Vikings then outscored the Knights 10-3 the rest of the quarter to take a 34-27 halftime lead.

Fully Out Of Step With The Times

It's official. I am an old fuddy-duddy. Up until now I thought I had retained a bit of youthful edge.But no, it's gone. I came to this realization when a woman dropped off a letter about Tom Green's new movie, "Freddie Got Fingered." In the letter she decried the way members of our society seem to be attracted to tasteless, immoral forms of entertainment.Further, she was upset that those who aren't attracted to it sit idly by and do nothing to stop it. I tended to agree with her letter. Then I noticed that "Freddie" finished at No.5 in the top movies last weekend, pulling in about $7.1 million. We'll see how it does this weekend, but it will probably do OK. All the teen-to-25 crowd who saw it last weekend will tell their friends about it and it will probably have a little traction. It most likely won't be a bomb.

Turnovers Can't Stop Triton From Winning

BOURBON - It's been said that patience is a virtue. And if any two girls varsity basketball teams know about waiting, it's Triton and Manchester. The two teams battled Tuesday night at Triton, but not before sitting through a triple-overtime junior varsity contest. The varsity game wasn't pretty, with the two teams combining for 58 turnovers, but the wait was well worth it for the Trojans, who pulled out a 70-64 victory. Despite turning the ball over 35 times, Triton improves to 8-6 overall, while Manchester falls to 10-6. "We sat around a little longer," said Triton coach Mark Heeter of the delayed start."We were a little flat at the start of the game.The second and third quarters were the difference for us." Triton outscored the Squires 45-31 in the middle two quarters.

Tiger Gymnasts Survive Against Warriors

Going into last night's gymnastics competition with Wawasee, Warsaw's coach Amanda Campbell was hoping the Tigers could compete with the Warriors.However, the Tigers did more than compete with Wawasee, they won the close meet by just 1.525 points, 99.775-98.25. Jillian Letsch led the Tigers by placing first in the vault, the beam and the all-around events.Letsch also set two school records in the competition.With a score of 9.1 on the balance beam, Letsch set the mark for highest beam score in Warsaw history.The she raised the standard for the top all-around score for a Warsaw gymnast with a 35.775. After the vault and uneven bar competitions, Warsaw held a slim 50.225-49.75 advantage over Wawasee.But as in many competitions, the beam was the deciding factor in the competition.

Warsaw Tigers Win NLC Basketball Title

Warsaw's Katie Elliott almost single-handedly outshot NorthWood's entire team Tuesday night. In a 48-38 victory over the Panthers that improved Warsaw's record to 12-5 and 6-0 in the conference, as well as giving the Tigers their first outright NLC championship since the 1992-93 season, Elliott shot 10 of 14 from the field and led all scorers with 24 points.The Panthers as a team only connected on 14 of 44 (31.8 percent) field goal attempts.Warsaw was 20 of 41 (48.8 percent) from the field. NorthWood falls to 14-3 and 5-1 in conference action after losing to Warsaw for the first time since the 1992-93 campaign and was led by Natalie Will and Amy Zercher, both under their averages, who combined for 23 points.

Warsaw Wins Crazy Softall Game

SYRACUSE -ÊTalk about a crazy night at the softball field. A player was hit in the face with a ball while trying to steal third. While she was being attended to, lightning ripped across the sky, causing the umpires to delay the game. One team was playing without its head coach, who was ejected from a game Monday night and, according to IHSAA rules, had to miss the next game. But through all the craziness, a close softball game was played in Syracuse Wednesday as Warsaw came from behind to beat Wawasee 8-7. "We really wanted to win here tonight since they beat us on our field earlier in the season," said Warsaw senior Cassie Himes."We wanted to come here and beat them on their field.We came ready to play." Warsaw may have been ready to play, but it was Wawasee who struck first and jumped out to an early lead. Wawasee scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning as Haley Bird hit a single and Stephanie Sorensen and Nicole Hymer each pounded doubles.

Warsaw Thumps No. 4 (3A) Northridge

"We want to send an early message to people," said Warsaw baseball coach Will Shepherd."We will play anybody.And if you're gonna win the NLC title and take home the trophy, you're gonna have to beat us." The Tigers sent that message loud and clear Wednesday night, pounding No.4 (3A) Northridge 16-3 in five innings in a Northern Lakes Conference duel. And Warsaw sent the message early. After Purdue-bound senior Brandon LaFollette pitched a 1-2-3 first inning, the Tiger offense kicked into gear. In the bottom of the first, Jeremy Sharp pounded a one-out double to the centerfield fence and advanced to third on a single by Sean Alderfer.Then LaFollette helped his own cause by hitting a long home run over the centerfield fence that put the Tigers up 3-0. After another 1-2-3 Northridge outing, the Warsaw hitting corps went to work again.

Warsaw Defense Clamps Down On Goshen

Combined, Goshen's varsity and junior varsity girls basketball teams scored 36 points against Warsaw last night, while Warsaw's varsity and JV combined for 92 points. The Tigers dominated the junior varsity contest 45-8 before the varsity Tigers overwhelmed the Redskins 47-28. The record-low scoring total for a Warsaw varsity opponent is 17 by Triton during the 1987-88 season.The win pushes Warsaw's overall record to 11-5 and 5-0 in the Northern Lakes Conference.Goshen falls to 3-13 and 0-5 in the NLC. Sara Parker scored Warsaw's two first points on two free throws, giving the Tigers a lead they never relinquished.Parker finished the opening frame with three points and eight in the game.Tiger sophomore Kara Kesler led all scorers with 10 points, the first time she's led the team in scoring.Goshen was led by Steph Mast's seven points.

Product Liability Is Getting A Bit Out Of Control

While all the foes of tobacco were reveling in the settlement reached in Washington, I said to myself, "Self, this product liability stuff is really getting out of hand." Mississippi Attorney General Michael Moore, who was on a mission against the tobacco industry and was the lead negotiator for the tobacco foes, called it "the most historic public health achievement in history." Aside from being silly and redundant, I think that statement is a bit of a stretch.I'd probably go with the discovery of penicillin or the polio vaccine as the most significant public health achievement in history, but what do I know? And when you get right down to it, where do you suppose most of that $360 billion over 25 years will go? Do you think it will go to victims of cigarettes? To the survivors of victims of cigarettes? It's supposed to go to pay for health care costs incurred because of cigarettes.It's supposed to pay for programs aimed at getting people to quit smoking.

Mothers Deserve Their Day

Sunday is Mother's Day. I think it's highly appropriate that mothers have a day.They deserve it. I consider myself fortunate to have three great moms in my life - my mother, my wife and my mother-in-law. All three of them are wonderful people. My mother is one of the kindest people I know.She can be firm when she needs to, but she's really a softie deep down.She spends a great deal of her time helping others.It's what seems to make her happiest. You know the stereotype about the overbearing mother-in-law? Nothing could be further from the truth in my case.My mother-in-law is humble, sweet and caring. Both of these women are in their 80s.They're octogenarians.I lovingly refer to them as "the octos." Then there's my wife, Mary.Sometimes I think our kids don't realize how good they have it.They couldn't have asked for a better mother. Just this week, our son came home from college for the summer.You should have seen the twinkle in Mary's eyes.

On The Court

TRITON AT VALLEY Tipoff: 8 p.m.at Mentone Coaches: Kevin O'Rourke (Triton), Gregg Sciarra (Valley) Records: Triton 4-11, Tippecanoe Valley 5-10 Last game: Bremen 71, Triton 44; Valley 77, Wabash 67 Matchup: Triton has lost six of its last seven.Valley gives teams problems defensively, because the Vikings have three players who can score different ways.Eric Love, who is averaging 12.7 points, scores from the perimeter.JayDee Parker, who is averaging 14.1 points, scores inside.Brandon Eaton, who is averaging ?? points, can score inside or outside.

Area Baseball Capsules

Double Trouble In The Pivot

The Tigers found the perfect formula to replace Trester Award winner Matt Taylor at center this year. It includes one part defender and rebounder (Luke Reed) and one part offense and power (Chris Hill).The combination has provided big dividends for the Tigers this season. The two juniors, who have played almost the same number of minutes this season, have combined to give Warsaw 12.2 points and 9.1 rebounds a game, while shooting 71 percent from the floor.The duo have combined to be the second-best player on the team as far as the numbers go. The 6-foot-6 Reed starts and scores 5.7 points, grabs 5.4 rebounds a contest and shoots 64 percent from the field.The 6-2 Hill is the spark off the bench, and is at 6.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and shoots an outstanding 78 percent from the field.

Another Late Collapse Leaves Warsaw Without Win

"We are like Chicken Little waiting for the sky to fall," said Warsaw baseball coach Will Shepherd."In the last three games we have given up 19 runs in the seventh inning." Five of those 19 runs came in the seventh inning of Wednesday night's Northern Lakes Conference game with Goshen.The Tigers and Redskins ended the game in a 5-5 tie after seven innings due to darkness. Warsaw jumped out to an early lead after scoring runs in each of the first two innings. But the fifth inning was the most successful for the Warsaw squad.Pitcher Michael Barger helped his own cause by starting the inning with a solo home run over the left-field fence. Designated hitter Jacob Wilson followed Barger's homer with a single.Josh Stork reached first on an error by Goshen pitcher Nick VanderMolen, and a sacrifice by Geoff Walmer moved runners to second and third.William Knepper was hit by a pitch, and the bases were loaded.

The True Spirit of Santa Claus

Continuing an annual tradition, I searched the Internet for an inspirational Christmas story. I hope you enjoy this year's installment. An Adventure With Grandma (Author anonymous) I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma.I was just a kid.I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered at me."Even dummies know that!" My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been.I ran to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me.I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her world-famous cinnamon buns.I knew they were world-famous, because Grandma said so.It had to be true.

Parker-less Valley Picks Up TRC Win Over Northfield

AKRON -ÊTippecanoe Valley girls basketball coach Gary Teel knew Friday night's game against Northfield would be a challenge.Especially without team leader Rebekah Parker. Parker, who injured her knee in a game against Bremen earlier this season, was in Indianapolis Friday night recovering from knee surgery while her teammates were on the court beating Three Rivers Conference opponent Northfield 63-46. "I think the kids gave an outstanding performance," said Teel."You never know how a group is going to handle adversity, and our girls responded like a true team.Each player who came into the game did something positive for the team." After Northfield's Audrey Mast hit the first bucket of the game, Holli Jackson responded wih a steal and a basket of her own.Then a pair of free throw's by Viking Heather Rathbun gave Valley a 4-2 lead.

A Good Golf Game Is All In The Mind

My son plays golf for Wawasee, so I've spent a great deal of time the past four years watching teenagers play golf. These kids are really good at golf. Just this week, they won the regional at Fort Wayne and get to play for the state championship next week. I would like to congratulate them for the accomplishment.It's really pretty cool. I also would like to congratulate the Warsaw golf team on a fine season. One of Warsaw's golfers, Chris Hanson, advanced to the state tournament as an individual. Stephen Conrad, of Wawasee, was medalist at the regional and will vie for individual state honors as a member of the Warrior team. Actually, Warsaw outshot Wawasee three out of five times they played each other this season.But the Tigers came up a short in the regional, ending up in fourth place, while Wawasee set a tournament record to take first place. The first three teams advance to state.

Ball-Control Theory Backfires On Tippecanoe Valley Vikings

AKRON -ÊAlthough Tippecanoe Valley's girls basketball team lost to Wawasee 62-35, the Vikings accomplished something no other team has managed to do: hold Shanna Zolman, the leading scorer in the state, to just 23 points. The Warriors started strong as Dusty Krull netted a three-pointer for the first basket of the game. "Believe it or not, I believe that first three-pointer by Dusty was the turning point of the game," said Wawasee coach Kem Zolman."Valley wanted to hold the ball, but after that three, they had to play catch-up." The Warriors went on to hold the Vikings to just one basket in the first quarter and outscore them 13-2.