Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 127, Number 51, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 16 December 2004 — Page 7

Panthers shoot out the limits at Fairfield

By Anthony Godson Advance News Editor GOSHEN - The North Wood Panthers improved their season record to 3-0, while dropping the Fairfield Falcons to 1-3, during the * Dec. 11 matchup

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DAT PHOTO Senior Trevor Shields goes up for a reverse lay-up against Fairfield sophomore Ben Werner.

Black Swish opens NLC with 45-39 win over E. Memorial

By Anthony Godson Advance News Editor The North Wood Lady Panthers (7-1) proved ; that they could win even the close games on Dec. ‘ 10 at The Pit, defeating Northern Lakes ! Conference foe Elkhart Memorial (2-3) 43-39. The game was a conference opener for both teams, and Panther coach Steve Neff knew that ■ the Memorial's 2-2 record going in was a bit deceiving. "They got beat by Washington and St. Joe, and those are the two power teams in the area," he ; said. "Memorial's a quality team, and they are ! going to win a lot of games this year." 1 It appeared as if Memorial was going to get one of its wins versus the Panthers as they it jumped out to a 13-4 lead following a three-point shot by senior Alyssa Pittman with 2:51 left in the first quarter. Pittman scored nine points in the open- ; ing quarter, helping her team to a 17-13 lead at the ; end of one. The Panther defense was able to settle itself down following the opening quarter, and limited Pittman to only five points over the next three • quarters. "We just needed to know where she was," Neff said about defending Pittman. It wasn't too difficult to keep track of the scoring in quarter number two, as the Black Swish ! outscored Memorial 6-5 in the quarter, pulling to ! within 22-19 at halftime. "Our girls started off slow, then fought back," • Neff said. "I tried to slow the game down a little ; bit with our zone, and I think they accomplished ; that. We just hung in there and hit a couple bas- ! kets. It wasn't a pretty a game, but it was an excit--1 ing game. i Senior Lauren Zeltwanger tied the ball game up ■ at 24-24 following a steal at halfcourt and a lay-up • with 4:08 left in the third quarter. Senior Audrey ;; Duncan then regained North Wood's first lead • since the 6:51 mark in the game, with a field goal i with just under four minutes left in the third. y The two teams fought back and forth, with ! North Wood taking a slim 29-28 lead into the final quarter. ' With points coming hard, North Wood's 33-29 •; looked to be comfortable, and once senior Carrie Egging hit a three-pointer, things were looking really good with the team up 38-29 with 3:43 to ' playBut just when things looked to be put away • Pittman followed Egging's three with one of her ;own, drawing Memorial to within 38-32. ; Memorial scored the next four points from there, : and the score was 38-36 with only 1:09 to play. The Black Swish avoided a couple of mental

between the two at Fairfield. As the old saying goes, "Live by the three, die by the three," and live by the three is exactly what North Wood did against Fairfield. The Panthers finished the game with 11 three-pointers,

mistakes in the final minutes, to ice the game at the free throw line. "In the last minute of the game, we threw the ball into the stands twice. You can't do those things, and that's why you learn and don't do them at the end of the year," the coach said. The Black Swish was led in scoring by Zeltwanger and Duncan, both scoring 12 points. Duncan also led the team with 10 rebounds and four assists. The Panthers will need another solid performance from there seniors and more, if they are to beat a solid Plymouth team on Friday. "That will be another low scoring game, which plays into Plymouth's favor," Neff said. • NORTHWOOD 43, ELKHART MEMORIAL 39 At North Wood Score by Quarters NW 13 6 10 14 —43 EM 17 5 6 11 —39 NW: Carrie Egging 1 1-2 4; Lauren Zeltwanger 5 1-2 12; Mandy Yoder 1 5-6 7; Audrey Duncan 5 2-4 12; Brittany Hall 2 0-2 4; Jen Kurtz 2 0-0 4. TOTALS: 16 9-16 43. EM: Alyssa Pittman 4 4-4 14; Taylor Fields 3 24 8; Allison Sears 2 3-4 7; Laneesha Peoples 0 1-2 1; Tara Miller 2 0-0 5; Abby Kinder 1 2-2 4. TOTALS: 12 12-16 39. 3-point field goals: NW 2 (Egging, Zeltwanger) EM 3 (Pittman 2, Miller). Turnovers: NW 13, EM 15. Team Fouls: NW 14, EM 17. North Wood Stats Rebounds:Duncan 10. Assists: Duncan 4. Steals: Yoder 3. Records: NW 7-1 (1-0 NLC), EM 2-3 (0-1 NLC) J.V. Score: NW 46, EM 32 Leading Scorers: Amanda Bechtel 11, Calley Tucker 9. J.V. Record: 8-0.

and only nine 2-point field goals. "It's really something that evens out the height of another team," Panther coach Dan Gunn said. If that's the case, then North Wood can be very grateful for the three-pointer, as Falcon sophomore Ben Werner almost had his way on the) inside, scoring a game-high 25 points. "We had a a hard time with Werner inside. He scored a whole lot more in the second half. It looked pretty easy," Gunn admitted. While Werner was having his way inside, North Wood got 17 points out of both juniors Ryne Lightfoot and Zac Lechlitner and another 16 out of senior Wes BeMiller, the three also combined for seven three-point-ers. North Wood never relinquished the lead the entire game, but the Falcons stayed within striking distance the entire way, never leaving the Panthers feeling too comfortable. The game got underway with Lightfoot hitting a three-pointer 20 seconds into the game. From that point on the Falcons had an uphill climb. The Panthers connected on four three-pointers and four free throws in the opening quarter, including nine points from Lightfoot, to take a 16-12 lead into the second quarter. Even with the lead, the Panthers had to feel a little apprehensive with BeMiller and senior Trevor Shields both collecting two fouls midway throughout the court. Even with the fouls, the two stayed on the court, and didn't collect any more fouls the rest of

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Sports

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DAT PHOTO Panther junior Ryne Lightfoot tries to split Fairfield defenders, juniors Eric Miller (20) and Eric Hostetler, on his way to receive an inbounds pass.

the half, and most of the third quarter. "They are smart seniors. They played a lot, that's what I appreciate out of them. That was good for the younger players to see," Gunn said about the seniors. The two teams battled throughout the second quarter, with the half ending with the Panthers increasing their lead to eight, 30-22. Points became tough to come by in the third quarter for, the Panthers, but the Falcons just kept feeding Werner, who scored 10 points in the third quarter. BeMiller responded to Werner's 10 points in the quar-

Sports Briefs

BOYS BASKETBALL • North Wood 81, Westview 49 At North Wood (Dec. 9) Score by Quarters NW 16 17 25 23 —Bl Westview 7 13 13 16 49 NW: Zac Lechlitner 6 4-6 17; Ryne Lightfoot 8 8-10 25; Wes BeMiller 5 0-0 11; Trevor Shields 1 2-3 4; Zach Troyer 2 00 4; Paul Schmucker 0 0-2 0; Trevor Hershberger 2 2-4 6; Ben Bemiller 2 0-0 5; Kyle Yoder 3 0-1 6; Nate Brown 1 12 3. TOTALS: 26 17-28 81. 3-point field goals: 4 (Lechlitner, Lightfoot, BeMiller, Bemiller). Turnovers: 13. Team Fouls: 14. - Record: 2-0. GIRLS BASKETBALL • North Wood 77, Elkhart Central 25 At Elkhart (Dec. 7) Score by Quarters NW 24 15 21 17 —77 EC 12 8 2 3 —25 NW: Heather Stutsman 11-2 3; Carrie Egging 2 0-0 4; Amanda Bechtel 3 0-0 7; Lauren Zeltwanger 3 0-0 7; Mackenzie Lechlitner 5 4-6 15; Mandy Yoder 5 6-8 17; Audrey Duncan 3 1-2 7; Brittany Hall 4 1-2 9; Laura SchieferO 2-4 2; Jen Kurtz 3 0-1 6. TOTALS: 29 1525 77. EC: Gray 0 2-2 2; Whisler2 226; Pettis 10-0 2; Young 2 0-0 4; Bishop 30-07; Williams 1 0-0 3; Sailor 0 1-2 1. TOTALS: 9 5-6 25. 3-point field goals: NW 4 (Bechtel, Zeltwanger, Lechlitner, Yoder); EC 2 (Bishop, Williams). Team fouls: NW 10, EC 17. Turnovers: NW 14, EC 25. North Wood Stats Rebounds: Duncan 9, Kurtz 5. Assists: Lechlitner 7. Steals: Lechlitner 4. Records: NW 7-1, EC 1-7. GIRLS JUNIOR VARSITY • North Wood 33, Elkhart Central 28 At North Wood (Dec. 7) Leading Scorer: Allison Maust 9. Record: B*o. SWIMMING AND DIVING Boys • Plymouth 116, North Wood 69 At North Wood (Dec. 7)

Advance News • Thursday, December 16, 2004

ter, scoring 10 himself, including three from behind the arc. "It's about time he broke out, he'd even tell you that," Gunn said jokingly as BeMiller walked by in the locker room. BeMiller finished the game going 6-6 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter, solidifying the Panther victory. • NORTHWOOD 65, FAIRFIELD 55 At Fairfield Score by Quarters NW ' 16 14 15 20 —65 Fairfield 12 10 14 19 —55 NW: Zac Lechlitner 6 3-4 17; Ryne Lightfoot 6 3-4 17; Wes BeMiller 3 7-9 16; Trevor Shields

200 Medley Relay: 1. (P) Wickens, Van Vactor, McLiver and Vervynckt 1:54.10; 2. (NW) Josh Chupp, Jarron Lincoln, Todd Byrket and Kyle Hochstetler 1:57.15; 3. (P) Keller, Hammonds, Lappin and Smith 2:08.92. 200 Freestyle: 1. (P) Wickens 2:13.52; 2. (NW) Hochstetler 2:26.32; 3. (P) Bittinger 2:29.43. 200 Ind. Medley: 1. (P) Van Vactor 2:33.30; 2. (P) Lappin 2:43.77; 3. (P) Carpenter 2:45.40. 50 Freestyle: 1. (NW) Byrket 22.96; 2. (P) Vervynckt 23.13; 3. (NW) Chupp 24.58. 1 Meter Dive: 1. (NW) Brent Hollar 170.40; 2. (NW) Jim Armstrong 146.70; 3. (NW) James Woolley 144.80. 100 Buttefly: 1. (P) Vervynckt 56.03; 2. (P) McLiver 1:14.11; 3. (P) Lappin 1:14.33. 100 Freestyle: .1. (NW) Byrket 51.24; 2. (P) Lockwood 1:00.6; 3. (P) Howard 1:04.22. 400 Meter Freestyle: 1. (NW) Daniel Hendry 6:36.15; 2. (P) Bittinger 6:36.38 ; 3. (P) Smith 7:02.30. 200 Freestyle Relay: 1. (NW) Chupp, Hochstetler, Brent Hollar and Byrket 1:40.21; 2. (P) Lockwood, McLiver, Wickens and Vervynckt 1:43.50; 3. (P) Voronstar, Espich, Smith and Howard 1:48.93. 100 Back Stroke: 1. (P) Wickens 1:04.04; 2. (P) McLiver 1:12.51; 3. (NW) Chupp 1:12.60. 100 Breast Stroke: 1. (P) Van Vactor 1:11.43; 2. (NW) Lincoln 1:20.09; 3. (P) Wolff 1:21.22. 400 Freestyle Relay: 1. (P) Howard, Carpenter, Lappin and Lockwood 4:16.29; 2. (P) Espich, Keller, Wolff and K. Smith 4:28.26; 3. (P) Voronstar, J. Smith, Tanner and Hammonds 4:36.01. • New Prairie 127, North Wood 57 At North Wood (Dec. 9) 200 Medley Relay: 1. (NP) May, Lusk, Blackwood and Benjamin 1:52.01; 2. (NW) Josh Chupp, Jarron Lincoln, Todd Byrket and Kyle Hochstetler 1:58.57; 3. (NP) Woolford, Johnson, Johnson, Carlton 2:07.80; 4. (NP) Seniff, Kominowski, Dolph and Greenlaw 2:19.98; 5. (NW) Jason Casteel, Seth Emerick, Nate Yoder and Nathan Sellers 2:33.41. 200 Freestyle: 1. (NP) Romstadt 2:09.57; 2. (NP) Murray 2:13.17; 3. (NP) Pecoraro 2:17.26; 4. (NW) Casteel 2:50.22; 5. (NW) Jason

2 0-0 6; Zach Troyer 2 0-2 5; Ben Bemiller 1 0-0 3; Kyle Yoder 0 12 1. TOTALS: 20 14-21 65. Fairfield: Darin Bernaert 0 0-2 0; Chad Lemler 2 3-5 8; Jordan Miller 2 3-5 8; Dustin Snider 3 00 6; Jordan Burkholder 4 6-7 14; Ben Werner 11 3-7 25, TOTALS: 21 12-21 55. 3-point field goals: NW 11 (BeMiller 3, Lechlitner 2, Lighfoot 2, Shields 2 Troyer, Bemiller), Fairfield 1 (Lemler). Turnovers: NW 7, Fairfield 5. Team Fouls (fouled out): NW 20, Fairfield 20 (Lemler). Records: NW 3-0, Fairfield 13.

Ward 2:51.28. 200 Ind. Medley: 1. (NP) Murray 2:24.53; 2. (NP) Coffey 2:31.65; 3. (NP) Lincke 2:37.40; 4. (NW) Emerick 2:49.36. 50 Freestyle: 1. (NP) Benjamin 24.26; 2. (NW) Chupp 24.72; 3. (NP) May 25.11; 4. (NP) Warfel 25.21; 5. (NW) Lincoln 28.17. Meter Diving: 1. (NW) Brent Hollar 197.65; 2. (NW) Jim Armstrong 177.25; 3. (NP) Wolfore 166.20; 4. (NW) James Woolley 161.20; 5. (NP) Fischer 136.50. 100 Butterfly: 1. (NW) Byrket 51.28; 2. (NP) Blackwood 1:01.18; 3. (NP) Murray 1:07.34; 4. (NP) Johnson 1:12.60; 5. (NW) Casteel 1:40.13. 100 Freestyle: 1. (NP) Benjamin 54.17; 2. (NP) Wartel 57.67; 3. (NP) Carlton 1:01.04; 4. (NW) ¥*der 1:07.58; 5. (NW) Ward 1:14.79. 500 Freestyle: 1. (NP) Romstadt 5:54.57; 2. (NP) Murray 6:07.17; 3. (NP) Dolph 6:23.07; 4. (NW) Hochstetler 6:27.57. 200 Freestyle Relay: 1. (NP) Pecoraro, Murray, Warfel and Beniamin 1:42.29; 2. (NW) Byrket, Hochstetler, Hollar and Chupp 1:43.58; 3. (NP) Carlton, Seniff, Weisjohn and Greenlaw 1:54.88; 4. (NW) Lincoln, Yoder, Woolley and Armstrong 2:00.28; 5. (NW) Ward, Kenny Beachy, Gabriel Sande and Jon Goodson 2:07.35. 100 Back Stroke: 1. (NP) •May 1:05.07; 2. (NP) Blackwood 1:05.29; 3. (NP) Coffey 1:10.57; 4. (NW) Hochstetler 1:19.54; 5. (NW) Sellers 1:46.49. 100 Breast Stroke: 1. (NW) Byrket 1:11.91; 2. (NW) Lincoln 1:18.06; 3. (NP) Johnson 1:19.15; 4. (NP) Linke 1:20.10; 5. (NP) Kominoski 1:23.92. 500 Freestyle Relay: 1. (NP) Pecoraro, Warfel, Coffey and May 3:55.42; 2. (NP) Murray, Murray, Romstadt and Lincke 3:57.35; 3. (NP) Carlton, Johnson, Dolph and Blackwood 4:10.51; 4. (NW) Ward, Yoder, Hollar and Emerick 4:44.37; 5. (NW) Casteel, Goodson, Sande and Beachy 5:17.80. • New Prairie 227, Mishawaka 226, Bremen 211, 5. Clay 201, Plymouth 167, North Wood 111, S.B. Adams 63, Oregon-Davis 36 At North Wood Invit. (Dec. 11)

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