Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
DUNLAP - Down by nine after the first quarter, Wawasee's comeback bid was just short Friday at Northern Lakes Conference rival Concord, as the Warriors fell 59-56.
The teams met earlier in the championship game of the NLC Holiday Tournament, with Concord winning that game by three as well.
Trailing 38-31 after three quarters of play, Wawasee outscored the host Minutemen 18-13 in the fourth, falling just short of staying atop the NLC standings.
The three-point loss drops Wawasee to 12-4 overall and 3-2 in the NLC. The Warriors are tied for second in the conference with Warsaw, Concord and Northridge. Goshen, which still plays Wawasee, sits alone in first with a 4-1 record. Concord is now 11-3 overall on the season.
Senior Ben Knisely scored 20 to lead Wawasee, while sophomore Kory Lantz added 16, and seniors Clint Custer eight, Kyle Lantz seven and Steve Conrad five.
C.J. Shafer led Concord with a game-high 32, while classmate Adrian Conrad chipped in with 13.
Wawasee hosts NLC opponent Northridge next Saturday.
CONCORD 59, WAWASEE 56
Wawasee 10 11 17 18 - 56
Concord 19 12 15 13 - 59
Wawasee - Ko. Lantz 5 3-4 16, Conrad 2 0-0 5, Kaiser 0 0-0 0, Ky. Lantz 2 2-3 7, Stichter 0 0-0 0, Custer 2 4-4 8, Kauchak 0 0-0 0, Knisely 7 6-6 20. Totals 18 15-17 56.
Concord - Conrad 5 2-5 13, Shriner 0 0-0 0, Long 2 2-2 6, Shafer 9 11-12 32, Shawntes 1 0-1 2, Hunt 2 0-0 4, Morningstar 1 0-0 2. Totals 20 15-20 59.
Three-point goals - Wawasee 5 (Ko. Lantz 3, Conrad 1, Ky. Lantz 1), Concord 4 (Shafer 3, Conrad 1). Fouls - Wawasee 19, Concord 17. Fouled out - Ky. Lantz, Hunt.
JV - Wawasee 56, Concord 43
