The Mail-Journal, Volume 19, Number 52, Milford, Kosciusko County, 12 January 1983 — Page 8
THE MAIL-JOURNAL —W«L, Jaaaary 12,1M3
8
Sports
Warriors impressive in two-game sweep
By GARY LEWIS There just couldn’t be a better way to open a new year For coach John Wysong’s Warriors, the opening week end of 1983 resulted in a satisfying two-game sweep, upping the dub’s record to 7-3. But the game of the week was Friday’s stunning 64-54 win against the defending state champions Plymouth. Friday’s win snapped a 17-game Northern Lakes Conference winning streak for the Pilgrims and was the first time a Wawasee team has beaten a Plymouth team away from home. In fact, the win was the first time a Warrior team has beaten a Plymouth squad since 1972. A 17-5 club buried the Pilgrims’ 100-76 at Wawasee that year. But in 1972, the Pilgrims weren’t coming off a storybook season that captivated the hearts of Indiana as last season s journey to the state championship. Anyone who witnessed last week’s contest at Plymouth couldn’t help but notice the never-say-die spirit of the Warriors. They needed all the spirit they could muster to get through a nerve-racking fourth quarter finish when the Pilgrims put on a furious comeback. (See the summary of last week’s games below > “The key was when we had to bear down and make a clutch play — defensively and offensively — we were able to do it,” said Wysong. “There was some outstanding efforts. ' in the Plymouth game, he said. The Warriors were coming off a big three-week lay-off which Wysong believed was a help against Plymouth. “It does give a team more time to prepare, ” he said. The table turns this week end. however, when Northridge comes to Syracuse after only one game last week. Tippe Valley gets a full week to, prepare to host Wawasee Saturday. “We made the big plays. (Jeff) Atwood did a good job getting Samuelson (Plymouth’s Todd) out of the flow of the offense and Ron (Spunar) did a good job anchoring the middle, ” said Wysong. Everyone did a great job on the defensive end of the floor, but Wysong felt those two did exceptionally well. But the pair of players who captured the hearts of the Wawasee following were seniors Brian Walls and Kevin Smith. Steal after steal, bucket after bucket, Smith and Walls led the team’s relentless fast breaks while hawking the Pilgrims’ every move on def ense.
Wawasee 64 Plymouth 54
PLYMOUTH — It was a history-making night for both Warrior fans and players last week. The Warriors probably turned the head of even the most die-hard Wawasee backer with their amazing 64-54 trouncing of Plymouth. Never before in the history of Wawasee has a boys' basketball team made the trip to Plymouth and come out of it a winner. But the 82-83 edition of Wawasee basketball assured themselves a place in basketball history in style. With a roaring beginning, the Warriors reeled off 17 straight points in the first quarter to take a commanding 26-8 lead 10 seconds into the second stanza. The Warriors brilliant beginning began when Jon Vitaniemi scored a basket inside to give Wawasee the lead at 11-8. After that possession, the fastbreak began to click as Kevin Smith and Brian Walls got into
Wawasee 63 West Noble 52
Wawasee coach John Wysong said he was geierally displeased with his team’s sluggish performance Saturday night before a sparse home crowd. The Warriors' performance in the 6352 win is an example of what can happen to a team during a doubleheader week end. After spending every ounce of emotional energy Friday night, Wawasee had very little left when they took the floor to battle West Noble. Luckily, the Warriors did have enough left to come away with the win. A high-flying Kevin Smith and Brian Walls proved to be the key far the Warriors in the crucial third stanza. Wawasee outscored West Noble 22-12 in that quarter as the Chargers ran out of gas chasing after the fast-breaking Walls and Smith. Smith connected on five baskets while Walls netted three as the Frosh squad wins Coach Galen Hershberger’s freshman basketball team won its third game of the season last week beating a Whitko five 42-40. The Warriors had an eightpoint lead in the final quarter of action and turned back a Whitko comeback to get the win. The win upped the team’s record to 3-5 on the season. Tending scorers were David Kistler with 16 followed by Jon Evans with eight and Rod Aaron with eight. f t In the preliminary contest, Whitko beat the Warriors 48-26. Sewn Breyer was the leading scorer for the losers with seven points. *
the act scoring some easy lay-ups after the Pilgrims lost the ball due to the defensive pressure of Wawasee. Vitaniemi swiped the ball away twice, throwing the ball down court as the Warriors went streaking down the floor for some lay-ups. , Brian Walls was simply awesome shooting, passing and dribbling the basketball in the opening minutes. He was connecting on some medium-range and long shots when he wasn’t making lay-ups off the break. Smith ended up taking scoring honors with his career-high 19, followed by Walls with 18, and Vitaniemi with 15. Scoring for Plymouth was Mark Stukenborg with 15, followed by Todd Samuelson and Jamie Johnson who netted 14. Wawasee took a 36-27 lead into halftime. When the third stanza began, the Warriors knew they wee in for a fight when the Pilgrims began to press. Using a
Warriors’ defensive pressure was too much for the Chargers. The Chargers outplayed Wawasee in the second quarter, 20-14, and played it even in the final stanza at 12-12. Wawasee managed to outscore the Chargers in the first quarter 15-8 before the Warriors started to become sluggish. Wawasee had the lead at halftime 29-28 and came out of the locker room running. A sparkling fast break basket put the Warriors in front 41-34. Kevin Smith connected on a lay-up after a pass from Jeff Atwood, who got the ball after a marvelous long
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PIN Wawasee’s Mike Hernandes puts a Plymouth opponent on the mat during aenan at last week’s meet with the Roekies. Wawasee lost the edge on the NLC the (Photo by Gary Lewis)
Their defensive pressure resulted in some easy buckets early. “Walls and Smith just played their hearts out,” he said. Walls was a big key in the Warriors’ domination in the first quarter. He was red hot — as was junior Jon Vitanienii — and his scoring streak kept Plymouth out of contention in the first half. It’s now time to look ahead, though, and Wysong knows it Last week end’s doubleheader is only one of four scheduled for this month. Against Northridge, the Warriors will battle a team that has not been healthy as of late. “They’ll be looking for a win,” Wysong explained. Improving on their half-court offense was on the priority list of Wysong’s practice agenda this week, and against Northridge, the Warriors must have a consistent half-court game. “Well have to play really well without half-court,” Wysongsaid. Whether er not the Warriors repeat their defensive heroics depends simply on how well they position themselves on defense. Wysong said he is wary of any reaching in, or hacking, at the basketball. “I hope those kind of buckets come more from positioning rather than simply trying to swat at the ball,” he said. The Plymouth game also surfaced another weakness for the Warriors on offense. With a big lead to protect, Wysong’s crew had difficulty in the delay offense. Actually, the delay game employed by Wysong was not an actual attempt to freeze, but rather an attempt to make more passes, be patient, and look for the basket. “We want to put the ball on the floor too fast,” Wysong explained. Plymouth skillfully trapped the Warriors several times, enough to cause some concern for Wysong. “We don’t pass out of the trap soon enough. We see it coming but we wait until it gets right on top of us before we try to pass out of it,” he said. Northridge downed Jimtown 65-53 last week and is 4-5 on the season. Wysong expects 6-4 senior pivotman Mark Bates and Darrel Ritchie to figure in the Raiders’ scoring. Also high on the scouting report is Mike Caudill, who Wysong said is the team’s leading scorer. When the Warriors travel to Mentone Saturday, the Warriors will battle a rugged squad. Despite their 4-5 record, the Vikings promise to put Wawasee to the test. A possible sectional foe in March, feature players on the roster include junior Shad McConkey (5-10), senior Jeff Webb, and senior Andy Alspaugh.
patient passing attack, Plymouth started to chip away at die Warriors lead and looked like Wawasee’s fast start would be squashed by the Pilgrims’ patient attack. Stukenborg hit two chanty tosses at the 4:07 mark to cut the Wawasee lead to six at 40-34. Wawasee foiled to score, and Plymouth’s Johnson jump shot made it 40-36. The jam-packed gymnasium was rocking at this point, and it seemed clear that the momentum was going in Plymouth’s favor. But the Warriors remained cool. Spunar connected on one of two tries at the foul line, Vitaniemi made a bucket inside and Wails followed with one of his driving lay-ups to end the Plymouth threat at 45-36. Plymouth got no closer than 10 the rest of the way, but the fourth stanza was a hectic one for the Warriors. Plymouth’s defense suddenly came to life spoiling the Warriors attempt to slow things
bomb from Walls. The Warriors lengthened their lead to 11 with 1:28 to go on another Smith lay-in to gain some distance on the tired Chargers. The Warriors connected on 29 of 51 shots for 56.8 per cent from the field while the Chargers managed only 39.2 on a 20-of-51 effort. Jon Vitaniemi took the rebounding honors, with 11 caroms. WAWASEE (63) — Smith 6-6 1-2 3, Vitaniemi 4-71-13, Spunar 6-14 1-2 3, Walls 8-16 0-12, Atwood 2-2 1-20, Rhoades 04) 0-01. Zurcher3504)0, Doll 0-104)1 WEST NOBLE (52) — Lung 4-10
Wawasee was brilliant from the field. The Warriors connected on 27 of 46 shots for a szziing 58.7 per cent while Plymouth was icecold, on 20-of-59 for 33.9 per cent. The last time a Plymouth team lost to a NLC foe was in the 197980 season when Warsaw downed the Pilgrims 70-65.
WAWASEE (64) — Smith 912, Vitaniemi 6 3 2, Spunar 4 14, Walls 8 24, Atwood 013, Hare 0 0 1, Zurchero23, Doll 000
PLYMOUTH < 54) — Gerard 101, Samuelson 5 4 1, Lesch 0 10, Campbell 10 1, Holland 2 0 4, Starr 0 0 0, Stukenborg 6 3 1, Johnson 46 4, Johns 00 2, Plothow 100 Wawasee 23 13 15-64
Plymouth 08 19 09 18-54 Shooting: Wawasee 27 of 46 for 58.7 per cent, Plymouth 20 of 59 for 33.9 per cent
Rebounding: Wawasee 28, Plymouth 19
B-team score: Wawasee 32, Plymouth4s
2-2 0, Kendall 4-110-2 1, Somerset 1-70-00, Hull 5-10 2-2 2, Lehman - 7 6-6 4, Schermerhorn 2-4 2-2 4, Folk 1-1 0-0 0, Campos 0-0 0-0, Jones 1-10-00 West Noble 08 20 12 12-52 Wawasee 15 14 22 12-63 Shooting: West Noble 20 of 51 for 39.2 per cent, Wawasee 29 of 51 for 56.8 per cent Rebounds: Wawasee 30 (Vitaniemi U, Spunar 8), West Noble 25 (No individual totals available) Turnovers: Wawasee 22, West Noble 21 B-team score: Wawasee 45, West Noble 32
Giris'JVstii undefeated < The junior retained their undefeated record at Goshen in a tow scoring contest Wawasee defeated the Lady Redskins 25-1 L In the first if nr ter the only points for the Warrior girts were scored by Sheba Ktemrichort, white Natalie Dubfafa scored three paints far Gorton and Sharon Fry bit a fieki goal, giving Goshen a 5-2 tend at the end of the first period. In the second quarter Wawasee scored oafr five prints, tat gained the lead because the girls held Goshen to only one free throw, which was made by Fry. At halftime Wawasee ted 7-6. In toe third quarter the Lady Warriors gained some momentum and scored eight pants and in the’final period scared 10. Goshen scored only three in the third quarter and Wawasee led 15-9 at the end of that period. Goshen could only cut the Wawasee lead to five in the final The junior varsity girls have won 12 games this season and a junior varsity tournament. On Saturday they will host Elkhart Central. They have only four Swimmers downPeim Wawasee’s boys’ swim team had little trouble disposing of Penn, 76-51, in winning its seventh meet of the season. The win is a final tune-up for Thursday’s (January 13) home meet with powerhouse Goshen. “That’s the meet we have been keying up for,” Said Wawasee coach Tim Caldwell. “It will be an upset if we win, but we’d like to have a good meet and. have some individual bests.” Wawasee won all but two events in the meet. Tony Boyer wax two events, the 200 freestyle and 100 butterfly, and Andy Wysong won a pair with victories in the 50 and 500 freestyle. Other Warrior winners were Bob Galloway in the individual medley; Greg Day in diving, Tim Crum in the backstroke, and both relays.
Pilgrims stop wrestlers, Warriors lop Panthers
The Warrior wrestlers lost a close meet on their home mat last Thursday. The decision came down to the final match, and when the Plymouth heavyweight grappler defeated Wawasee’s Pat Inks the Pilgrims won the meet by a team score of 34-32. won six of the 13 matches, winning four of those by pin. Juan Roa, David Melendez, Mike Hernandez and Todd Reiff pinned their Plymouth Other winners for Wawasee were Chuck Cotton and Tony Blackburn. At 98 pounds, Dewayne Turner lost 6-5 to Plymouth’s Todd Sullivan. Chuck Cotton of Wawasee defeated Tim Harman 12-3 in the 105-pound class. Jeff Dunithan, wrestling 112 for Wawasee, lost by pin in 1:01 to David Fortin. Juan Roa defeated Dereck Eveland by pin in 5:11 at 119. Two Warrior pins followed. At 126 David Melendez pinned Greg Kunze in 5:02 and at 132 Mike Hernandez pinned Larry Roahrig in 4:30. Tony Blackburn of Wawasee defeated Chris Lopez 22-7 at 138. At 145 Plymouth’s Scott Smith defeated Lance Lantz 22-8. In the 155-pound class Mike Scobey of Plymouth defeated Jason Keim 9-0 and another Pilgrim grappler, Gabe Lopez, won the 167-pound class when he defeated Jim Cramsie by pin in 1:39. At 177 Todd Reiff pinned Rod Evedand by pin in 4:49 making the team score 32-24 Wawasee. But an experienced Plymouth wrestler, David Shook, defeated Ttm Fraser by pin in 3:39 ami the score was 32-30. ewiting match, but Wawasee’s Pat Inks could not work an effective move and John Caine wot by a score of 84). The junior varsity Warrior wrestlers defeated Plymouth 216. Five matches were wrestled and Wawasee won four of the five. Brad Traviola, Steve Yoder and Ned Hunsberger won by pin and Itan Martin won by a score of frZ. Defeat North Wood On Tuesday, Wawasee hasted North Wood, in an important conference meet Wawasee wot the contest with a teem score of 35-22. Coach Welborn wot v«y happy ahnnt the outcome of Thursday’s
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POSITION — Ron Spunar grits the position inside and makes a lay-fa during action at last week’s basketball game against West Noble. The Warriors won their Seventh game of the season with a 63-52 win over the Chargers. (Photo by Gary Lewis)
meet at Warsaw. At 96 pounds Roger Ramer of North Wood won by pin over freshman Dwayne Turner in 1:11. Chuck Cotton of Wawasee won the 105-pound class when he defeated Dave Cutchen 6-5. In a fast paced match Warrior Jeff Dunithan defeated Hahn Huynh 14-6 and Wawasee had another winner at 119 when Juan Roa defeated Hal Huyah 11-1. At 126 David Melendez defeated Scott Eash 7-0 and another Warrior victory came at 132 when Mike Hernandez defeated Phil Klotz by pin in 5; 36. The 138-pound class was a close match but ended in a North Wood
Lady Warriors 70-32 over visiting Penn
On Saturday the Wawasee girls’ basketball team kept its winning streak alive by defeating Penn s girls 70-32, at Wawasee. Maude Packer was leading scorer for the lady Warriors, scoring a career-high 20 points. Packer also had 12 rebounds for Wawasee, to lead the rebounding efforts. Other Lady Warriors assisting the team with outstanding efforts
Wawasee captures two titles at East Noble
Wawasee’s matmen traveled to East Noble Saturday, Jan. 8, fora varsity invitational and came home with two champions; two placing second; and two third place winners. Chuck Cotton and Mike Hernandez were champions in their weight classes. David Melendez and Todd Reiff placed second for the Warriors. Placing third for Wawasee were Tony Blackburn and Juan Roa. The Warrior team placed fourth overall, winch is a good finish in accordance with the tough competition, according to Coach Welborn. First place team was Dekalb with 169, East Noble and Prairie Heights tied for second with 133 and Wawasee placed fourth with Fifth place went to Columbia City, sixth to Carroll and seventh to Garrett Central Noble, who is in the process of rebuilding its wrestling program, placed last.
victory when Steve Hummel defeated Tony Blackburn 9-8. At 145 a ypung Warrior wrestler, Freshman Lance Lantz, defeated Jeff Shaw by a score of 12-10. Wawasee’s Jason Keim was.defeated 10-1 by Brian Ramer in the 155-pound class. Another Panther victory was in the 167-pound class when Greg Urednick defeated Jim Cramsie by pin in 1:30. At 177 Todd Reiff accepted a forfeit for the Warriors and at 185 Tim Fraser defeated Plymouth’s Barry Curtis by pin in 1:15 insuring the Warrior victory.
were Carpi Walker, who scored 11 paints and had eight rebounds; Christy Speicher, with nine paints and nine rebounds; and Sandy Payne, who scored 10 points. Grace Stichter and Tona Sellers returned to the Wawasee line-up after being out because of injuries. Sellers dressed for the Penn game, but did not play, while Stichter spent a minimal amount of time on the court. At the end of the first quarter
At 98 pounds, Mike Eiler of Columbia City placed first, defeating Bob Bloom of East Noble 13-0. Wawasee’s Chuck Cotton defeated Mike Schmitz of Carroll in the championship round of the 105-pound class by a Scott Aschliman, Dekalb, defeated Keith Walter <rf Garrett 10-0 in die final round of the 112pound class. At 119, Yogi; Weimer of Dekalb pinned Joe Dyer of Prairie Heights in 3:43 and Juan Roa of Wawasee came in third by defeating East Noble’s Phil Evers by pin in 3:21. David Melendez of Wawasee lost for the first time tins season in the final match of the 126pound rla*w tn Jot Spaw of East Noble by a sc are of 8-4. Mike Hernandez of Wawasee won the 132-jjound championship by defeating Greg Sauers of Columbia City 12-6. At 138, Mark Line of Columbia
In the heavyweight division Scott Mikel of North Wood defeated Pat Inks 7-4. Junior varsity Warrior wrestlers defeated North Wood 14-4, winning three of the five matches. The remaining two ended in draws. Rot Martin, Steve Yoder and Brad Traviola were Warrior winners and matches wrestled by Ned Hunsberger and Steve Shirgill ended in tie decisions Wawasee is now 5-2 overall and 4-2 in the conference. On Thursday they travel to Warsaw for another conference meet.
the Lady Warriors led 14-6. and at halftime had widened that gap to 28. At the end of the third quarter the Wawasee girls were leading 51-22. High scoring for both teams was in the third and fourth quarters. Wawasee scored 19 pants in both the third and fourth quarter and Penn scored 10 in each of those periods. The junior varsity Warriors defeated Penn 33-12.
City defeated Lee Nivens of East Noble in the championship round 8-5, and Warrior Tony Blackburn defeated Lee Kinley of Carroll by pin in 4:06 to take third place. Darren Salmon of Carroll took the championship at 145 by pinning East Noble’s Eric Ray in 5:46. Dan Brook of Dekalb won the championship match of the 155-pound class by pin over Monte Lorentz of Prairie Heights in 3:13. Larry Fry of Prairie Heights defeated Lonnie Lanning of Garrett 11-2 in the 167-pound Hass and Wawasee’s Todd Reiff lost H-6 to Mike Hoffelder of Dekalb in the final match <rf the 177-pound class. The 185-pound class was won by Bob Thompson of Dekalb who defeated Mark Taylor of Carroll by pin in 2:21 and in the heavyweight division Richard Fowley of Prairie Heights defeated Mike Haines of East Noble by pan in 1:16.