Connor McCann
Sports Editor
(847) 650-3166
Warsaw Pulls Away In Second Half To Beat Wawasee
One of the biggest surprises in Kosciusko County hoops last year happened in mid December when Wawasee pulled off a massive upset over Warsaw in boys basketball. Just over a year later, the two teams met once again on Friday night. This time around, The Tigers were prepared from the jump, going up early and staying there in a 67-48 win in the Northern Lakes Conference opener for both teams.
Can Connor Cover? Next Week Is Christmas, It’s Practically Here!
Anyone who knows me well can tell you that I love Christmas.
Big Second Quarter Puts Warsaw Over Columbia City
The Warsaw girls basketball team hit the road to take on rival Columbia City in a contest featuring two top 20 teams looking to keep one streak alive, the undefeated start to the season, while also breaking another. The Lady Eagles had won the last three matchups in the longstanding rivalry, but the most recent matchup belonged to the Lady Tigers. Using some suffocating defense and another efficient night scoring the basketball, Warsaw was able to come away with yet another victory, 65-50, to start the season 12-0.
Whitko Opens It Up Late In Win Over Manchester
Friday night’s matchup between two local teams featured Whitko trying to stay perfect in the Three Rivers Conference going up against Manchester, a team searching for its first TRC win. Both teams kept the zeros in their records as it was the Lady ‘Cats leaving North Manchester with a 57-39 win.
Lady Tigers Break School 3s Record, Improve To 10-0
Now ranked No. 5 in the state after Sunday’s Coaches Poll, the Warsaw girls basketball team looked to remain undefeated when hosting Fort Wayne Carroll at the Tiger Den Wednesday night. The Lady Tigers were able to score the ball at will, putting up a new program high for made threes in a game with 16 in 91-41 win to improve to 10-0.
Manchester Goes Wire-To-Wire In Win Over Valley
Once conference opponents, the Manchester and Tippecanoe Valley boys basketball teams met in Akron Tuesday night for a nonconference affair. The Squires took the lead in the opening seconds and never surrendered it, staying in front the whole way for a 54-42 win.
Local High School Sports Recaps For Saturday, December 7
Boys and Girls Basketball
Manchester Cruises Past Wawasee For Friday Night Win
The Manchester boys basketball team hosted Wawasee Friday night in a cross-county matchup. The Squires started the game a tad slowly, but eventually got into a rhythm, going up double figures in the first half and remaining there the rest of the night for a 65-44 win.
Whitko’s Howard Commits To Duke For Track And Field
Heading into her fourth and final year as a member of the Whitko track and field team, senior Gwen Howard already has a trophy cabinet full of accomplishments to her name.
Plymouth Outlasts Tippecanoe Valley In Overtime
Momentum went back and forth a plethora of times at Rita Price Simpson Court in Akron Thursday night as the Tippecanoe Valley girls basketball team hosted Plymouth. Four quarters weren’t enough to determine a winner in the slugfest, with overtime being needed. Both teams held leads in the extra period, but it was the Lady Pilgrims that emerged victorious with a 50-46 win.
Can Connor Cover? One Final Goodbye To A Season To Remember
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Tiger Basketball Opens Season With Win Over Columbia City
On a night where the Warsaw football team was honored before the game, another Tiger team with high expectations going into the season made its 2024 debut. The Warsaw boys basketball team tipped the season off at the Tiger Den against Columbia City, and after battling for the better part of the game, the home side pulled away in the final minutes to win the opener 62-53.
Decatur Central Dashes Tiger Hopes Of First State Title
The final game of the high school football season in Indiana promised one thing on Saturday night: Either the Warsaw Tigers or the Decatur Central Hawks were going to leave Lucas Oil Stadium with the first state title in school history. Decatur Central started the game with the ball, took the lead, and never looked back, going wire-to-wire for a 38-24 win in the 5A State Championship Game.
Tigers Head To Indy For First Chance At Title
About two months ago, the Warsaw Tiger football team was not playing its best ball. Two straight last-second losses to Concord and rival Plymouth all but eliminated the Tigers from the Northern Lakes Conference title race and dropped their record to 3-3. Fast forward to right now, and the team (10-3) is gearing up to take the field in the IHSAA 5A State Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis against Decatur Central.
Get To Know The Team: Warsaw Captains Q&A
Earlier this week, I had the privilege of going to a Warsaw football practice and speaking with four of the team’s five captains. With so much having been written in recent weeks about their performance on the field, and rightfully so, I wanted to peel back the curtain a bit and ask them some questions about themselves. Each of the four players were asked the same eight questions. Below are each of their answers.
Comeback Not Enough For Wawasee Against Fairfield
Boys basketball season returned to the Hardwood Teepee Tuesday night as Wawasee tipped off the season for area teams by hosting rival Fairfield. Things were incredibly close for most of the game, with the Falcons extending their lead in the second half. The Warriors made a furious comeback in the final minutes, but it was too little too late as the visitors emerged with a 46-43 win.
KINGS OF THE NORTH: Warsaw Advances To First Ever State Title Game
Without a question, the biggest game in Warsaw football history was played Friday night at Fisher Field. The stakes were simple: win, and head down to Indianapolis to represent the northern half of Indiana in the state championship game. After disposing of the No. 1 and No. 2 5A teams in the state the two previous weeks, the Tigers once again had their hands full with No. 3 Merrillville.
Big Second Half Propels Plymouth Past Triton 45-30
Searching for its first win of the season, the Triton girls basketball team welcomed their neighbors to the west, Plymouth, to the Trojan Trench Thursday night. The first half was incredibly competitive and featured multiple lead changes, but it was all Lady Pilgrims in the second half as the visitors picked up a 45-30 win.
Can Connor Cover? All That Matters Now Is Warsaw Tiger Football
It feels good to be back and writing another column, but truth be told, I still wish I was on vacation.
Tiger Football Wins First Ever Regional Championship
History was made on two separate occasions at Fisher Field Friday night. The first was simple, as by having the game at home, the Warsaw Football team played host to a regional contest for the first time in school history. The second history-making moment was a little more difficult to reach, but after the team’s second win in as many weeks against an undefeated, highly-ranked opponent, the Tigers hoisted a regional championship trophy for the first time ever with a 44-27 win over No. 2 Lafayette Jefferson.
Big Third Quarter Leads To Warsaw Win In Home Opener
With two massive wins already under their belt in the early season, the Warsaw girls basketball team returned to the Tiger Den for the home opener against Fort Wayne Snider Thursday night. The Lady Tigers were able to shake off a slow start and explode in the third quarter to remain undefeated with a 74-45 win.
NCCAA Cross Country Finals Return To Grace
Just as Grace College said goodbye to the NCCAA Men’s and Women’s basketball championships back in March, the school will get its final crack at hosting the NCCAA Cross Country National Championships for both Division I and II this Friday morning.
Warsaw Stuns Concord 31-28 To Win 2nd Sectional Title
A month and a half ago, Warsaw football led Concord, the No. 1 5A team in the state 17-0 at halftime before the Minutemen staged a furious comeback late to escape with a 28-24 victory to remain undefeated. Friday, the two teams met at Jake Field again, this time with a sectional championship on the line. As was the case the first time around, the Tigers played a great game, keeping it close throughout. But this time, it was Warsaw with the last laugh, as a last-second touchdown gave the Tigers a 31-28 for the team’s first sectional title since 2019.
Athletic Director Tim Yocum Celebrates 25 Years At LCA
Lakeland Christian Academy has undergone a series of changes over the last two and a half decades, but throughout that time, one thing has stayed the same: Tim Yocum has served as the school’s athletic director.
Can Connor Cover? A Variety Of Topics Before I Head To The Smokies
I’m going to be honest, this is one of those weeks where I’m not really sure what to write about.
Wawasee Cruises To Opening Night Win Over Manchester
Two more area teams began their respective girls basketball seasons at the Hardwood Teepee Wednesday night, as Wawasee hosted Manchester in a cross-county matchup. The home team started the game by getting out in front early and never surrendered that lead, holding on to a 54-37 wire-to-wire victory.
Lady Vikings Fall To Norwell In Parker’s Debut
Beginning the season with a new coach, new players and a new wing of the school, the Tippecanoe Valley girls basketball team tipped off hoops season in Kosciusko County with a home game against last year’s state runner up Norwell. It was the visitors that started strong and never looked back, as the Lady Knights left town with a 72-40 victory.
Vikings’ Season Comes To End At Hands Of Undefeated Garrett
Hosting the undefeated Garrett Railroaders in the semifinal round of 3A sectional 26 Friday night, the Tippecanoe Valley football team had the tough task of hanging around with the No. 4 team in the state. The visitors established their offense early and were able to score often, cruising to a 42-13 win to end the Vikings’ season.
Warsaw Falls Three Points Short Of Regional Title In Thriller
Two of the top fifteen volleyball teams in the state met at Twin Lakes High School Saturday night, as Crown Point and Warsaw battled for a 4A regional title. The match was exhilarating and tight throughout. The two teams traded sets and needed the maximum of five, with the Lady Bulldogs emerging victorious and moving to the semi-state round with a 3-2 win.
Local High School Sports Recaps For Saturday, October 26
Boys and Girls Cross Country and Football
Valley Advances To Sectional Semis With Win Over Woodlan
Seeking its first sectional victory at home since 2020, the Tippecanoe Valley football team began postseason play against Woodlan Friday night. The visitors struck first, but it was the Vikings that had the last laugh. The offense was cooking and the defense forced four turnovers as the home side cruised to a 51-25 win to advance in the playoffs.
Can Connor Cover? That Time Of Year Again In High School Football
Per usual, I’m going to spend this week’s introduction talking to you all about football. But it’s not going to be the professional or college variety this week. This week we’re going down to a local level.
THREEPEAT: Warsaw Volleyball Wins 3rd Straight Sectional Title
The last three years have served as a return to excellence for the Warsaw volleyball program. Over the past three seasons, the Lady Tigers have won countless tournaments, been undefeated in Northern Lakes Conference play, and as of Saturday night, have hoisted a trophy as sectional champions three straight times. The most recent sectional title came as Warsaw defeated Concord 3-0 at Goshen High School to secure the threepeat in 4A sectional 4.
Local High School Sports Recaps For Saturday, October 19
Boys Soccer, Boys Cross Country, Girls Cross Country and Volleyball
Warsaw Wraps Up Regular Season With Blowout Over Northridge
Playing the final game of the regular season Friday night, the Warsaw football team looked to end the campaign on a high not with a trip to Middlebury to take on Northridge. Thanks to some outstanding defense as well as two special teams scores, the Tigers were able to head into sectional play with a three-game winning streak under their belts with a 42-13 win.
Local High School Sports Recaps For Thursday, October 17
Boys Soccer and Volleyball
Warsaw Takes Down No. 5 Carroll On Penalty Kicks
For the second straight season, the Warsaw boys soccer team’s regional semifinal match would not be determined in regular or extra time, instead needing penalty kicks to decide a winner. This time, the Tigers were able to come out on top, defeating No. 5 Carroll on the road 0-0 (5-4) to live to fight another day.
Can Connor Cover? Once Again, The Bears Give Me Hope
One thing about me when it comes to the sports I enjoy is that above all else, I am a man of hope.
Warsaw Falls To Penn 3-0 In Regional Semis
For the second time in these playoffs, the Warsaw girls soccer team had a chance to avenge a regular-season loss with a playoff victory. Unlike last week’s sectional semifinal however, the Lady Tigers were unable to even up the season series against Penn Wednesday night at the Tiger Soccer Complex, falling 3-0 in the regional semis.
Local High School Sports Recaps For Saturday, October 12
Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer and Football
Valley Takes Lead Twice In 4th, Hangs On To Beat Glenn
Playing its first home game in four weeks as well as the final home game of the regular season, Tippecanoe Valley had to fight tooth and nail to pick up a Senior night victory over John Glenn. In a game that came down to the final seconds, the Vikings got a much-needed defensive stop to finish off a 22-21 victory.
Warsaw Battles Back Down 21-0 To Stun NorthWood 35-21
While Warsaw did not get the start that it wanted facing off against Northern Lakes Conference foe NorthWood Friday night, the Tigers certainly got the finish they were looking for. Down 21-0 early in the contest, Warsaw battled back, scoring the last 35 points of the game to pick up a 35-21 win in Nappanee, the school’s first since 2012.
Local High School Sports Recaps For Thursday, October 10
Girls Soccer and Volleyball
Warsaw Upsets Northridge, Heads To Sectional Title Game
Facing off against Northern Lakes Conference Champions Northridge for the second time this season, the Warsaw girls soccer team had its work cut out for them in order to win the match and advance to the 3A sectional championship game at Elkhart. After a masterclass of a defensive performance as well as a timely goal, the Lady Tigers advanced with a 1-0 win.
Can Connor Cover? Parity Is The Name Of The Game, As Well As The Perfect Excuse
It appears the magic of last season has worn off completely.
Warsaw Wins 3-0, Heads To Sectional Final
Getting the bye in the seven-team boys soccer sectional at Huntington North, Warsaw began its playoff journey Wednesday evening against Columbia City. The Tigers got an early goal, added a few more along the way, looking dominant in a 3-0 win.
Local High School Sports Recaps For Tuesday, October 8
Boys Tennis, Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer and Volleyball
Warsaw Gets Past Goshen On Penalty Kicks, Advances
A September match between the Warsaw and Goshen girls soccer teams resulted in a 1-1 tie after a hard-fought match. Tuesday night, the two teams met for a second time on a much bigger stage: the opening round of the 3A girls soccer sectional tournament at Elkhart High School. With a winner having to emerge this time around, it came down to penalty kicks, with the Lady Tigers winning 5-3 after a 0-0 tie.
