The Mail-Journal, Volume 20, Number 6, Milford, Kosciusko County, 23 February 1983 — Page 8

THE MAIL-JOURNAL—Wed., February 23,1583

8

Sports

Warriors battle the Lions for crown

By GARY LEWIS It’s showdown time in the NLC at Wawasee High School this Friday night when the Bremen Lions come to town. North Wood took the luster away for Bremen, downing the Lions 71-52 last week, but according to Dean Foster the Lions will be playing for respect. “If we treat Wawasee we could get in a tie for second,” said Foster. “We d'kind,of like to beat them because if we lose that will put us in a tie with a bunch of other teams." Foster explained. Bremen has had a tremendous season, beating the likes of Goshen and Warsaw, en route to their 4-2 mark in loop play. What makes Bremen’s accomplishments even more remarkable is that the team’s tallest player is their 6-1 senior forward, Todd Wagoner. Coach John Wysong has been getting his team ready for another barn burner. Upmost in his mind is getting his boys ready for another tough contest. This week’s game is only one of two rugged contests Wawasee had to play in its final three-game home stand. For one of the few times this season, Wawasee will have a height advantage against an opponent and Wysong feels a little uncomfortable preparing for a team like that. His biggest concern is Bremen’s good defensive pressure The Lions will press their opponent all over the court, utilizing various man-to-man and zone traps. Bremen's offensive game is to connect from the outside and rely on the rugged defensive pressure to force turnovers. Todd Wagoner, a 6-1 senior forward, is the team’s leading scorer averaging 22 points a contest. Guard Troy Holmes, a 5-11 senior, averages 11 and Mickey Gardiner chips in 10 a game. " "We re hoping to turn around." said Foster. The Lions play Argos Tuesday night so the^Wawasee game won’t be on the team's mind until Wednesday. “1 haven't had the chance to see them play. But my scouts tell me that they really play hard ”

Wawasee 91 Northfield 60

For a moment, it looked as if former Wawasee JV Coach Gary Bakers return to Warrior country would be a good one. but an early second quarter barrage, and an outstanding performance by Ron Spunar, ended asy Northfield hopes for an upset. Wawasee hammered the Norsemen 91-60 last week, upping the record to 14-5 on the season. Northfield connected on 11 of 17 in the first stanza to tie things up after eight minutes at 22-22. Wawasee got things going before the half for a 4329 lead at the intermission and quickly stretched the lead to 64-44 after three quarters. Kevin Smith led Wawasee with 22 points while junior Jon Vitaniemi scored 21 and ' Spunar. Wawasee’s 6-10 senior center, had a great game, scoring 14 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. Wawasee shot 54 per cent from the field and Northfield 43. Wawasee had a whopping 36-14 rebound advantage. Duke Deeter scored 16 and Mike Rees 13 for Northfield. WAWASEE (91 * — Smith 9-14 4-6 0. Zurcher 4-6 6-61. Doll 3-3 0-0 0, Atwood 1-4 2-2 0, Walls 315 1-2 2. Vitaniemi 9-12 3-3 1, Hare 1-1 0-0 0. Spunar 5-10 4-7 3. Rhoades 0-01-23. NORTHFIELD (6D|) — O.Deeter 3-8 1-4 3, Gardner 516 0-0 1. Johnson 1-2 0-0 0, Miller 4-7?2-3 4. D.Deeter 9-14 0-0 4, Reed 0-1 0-0 0, Halderman 1-4 0-0 0. Rees 5-131-2 4. Shooting: Wawasee 35 of 65 for 54 per cent. Northfield 28 of 65 for 43 per cent. Free throws: Wawasee 21 of 28, Northfield 4 of 9. Rebounds: Wawasee 36 (Smith 2, Zurcher 2. Doll 1, Atwood 3. Walls 2, Vitaniemi 11. Spunar 15), Northfield 14 (Gardner 2, Miller 1, D. Deeter 4. Rees 7)

Sports Comment

Side Lines By Gary Lewis

JUST ABOUT EVERYONE HAS AN OPINION on the Triton Sectional draw announced this week, everyone, that is, except for Wawasee coach John Wysong Wysong is not the kind of man to make excuses, or even leave evidence of excuses, and the second-year coach is not about to make any negative comment “about the draw*. “There really isn’t anything to say about it because I have no control oyer it,” commented Wysong. After much prodding, he did admit the Warriors will have the toughest route for the title. “If we can get out of the first game,” said Wysong. Os course, the number one concern on Wysong’s mind is this week’s showdown with Bremen. But looking ahead to the first-round contest with Tippecanoe Valley, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Wysong expects a tough game. Tippecanoe Valley has had a lot of injuries (read article jn this week’s special sectional preview > and if those starters return the Vikings will be a changed team. THIS WEEK’S BIG GAME against Bremen has caused some discussion among Warrior circles recently. The big question seems to be the validity of Plymouth’s claim to be “co-conference champs. The Warriors defeated the defending state champions earlier in the season and it would only stand to reason that if the Warriors win Friday, they would be the REAL conference champs.

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'' WALLS JUMPER — Senior Brian Walls fires a jumper from outside during a recent basketball contest. The Warriors kept their w inning ways last week, advancing their season record to 14-5.

Plymouth did beat Warsaw, who beat Wawasee, and will end up with an identical NLC record if the Warriors v in Friday night. Coach John Wysong doesn’t seem to mind being co-conference champions. “To be co-conference champs with Plymouth is an honor,” he said. “Being on top with the defending state champion is something to be proud of,’ ’ he said. Wysong has had reason to be mighty proud lately, as the Warrior starter where they left off in the great North Wood win two weeks ago. Regardless of the outcome Friday, Wysong’s opinion won’t be changed any. “I’ll be proud no matter what,” he added. COACH TIM CALDWELL received some welldeserved recognition last week when he was nominated for swimming coach of the year following the Warriors third-place finish in the Elkhart Sectional. Caldwell’s career record at Wawasee is 50-25 and in the last two seasons his teams earned a sparkling 28-5 record Caldwell has guided a group of highly-talented swimmers through three years of greatness. His team placed third in the sectional twice and second in the conference twice in the last two seasons. His nomination is a big boost for his swimming program and his efforts deserve statewide recognition.

Just like most coaches in the area, Bremen will attempt to shut off the inside game to the Warriors 6-10 big man, Ron Spunar “Spunar has been playing really well lately. He blocks a lot of shots. He could be a factor for us because of our size," said Foster. A Wawasee win Friday night would clinch a tie with defending state champion Plymouth for the conference crown. Wysong said the Bremen loss last week to the Panthers doesn’t mean a whole lot to him. “They were really in the ball game most ot the way right up until the end." he said. “They’ll want to make some amends. Bremen was outscored 25-10 in the final eight minutes of play as the Panthers ripped open an otherwise tight contest. “Bremen is a really good team skill-wise," Wysong said. “They come at you hard, hawking the ball." The Bremen loss at North Wood does nothing more than possibly hurting the Warriors’ chances. “We know comparative scoring doesn’t mean Anything." he said. “We ll have to handle the pressure, establish the inside game. They may take our defense and spread us out a little more. " Wawasee has a height advantage at two positions but Wysong gives Bremen the nod as far as quickness goes. Last season, the Lions simply destroyed the Warriors, leading by as much as 27 in one point of the contest Wysong said he was going to scout Bremen Tuesday night at Argos for some more insight, but he already knows what to expect. “Wagoner can score just about anywhere. Even if he's smothered, he’ll still score. They play extremely hard on defense, they 're just a good team. ” Wysong refused to admit that his team is under any extra pressure because this contest is for the conference title. “We shouldn't feel any pressure. We're on the line every game, there shouldn't be anymore pressure now than when we played Concord, they all count the same," he said.

Wawasee Adult Basketball League

February 14,1983 Team Score Record High Point PUfyer Love Furniture vs 76 8-0 Jack Beer 18 Pilcher's Shoes 60 4-4 Brad Smith 15 Quality Carpet vs 93 4-2 Larry Downs 26 Merchants 62 3-5 Dave Meade 23 Fairmont Homes vs 42 0-8 Ken Patten 12 Hot Shots 58 17 Bob Oft 15 Rouch Construction vs 53 2-6 Brent Messmore 14 Syracuse Rubber 62 2 6 Rockey 21 February 21.1983 Team Score Record High Point Player Rouch Construction vs 61 2-7 Brent Messmore 17 Merchants 100 4-5 Dave Meade 30 Fairmont Homes vs 43 0-9 Ken Patton 13 Pilcher's Shoes 55 5-4 Dana Cone 18 Quality Carpet vs 64 6-3 Rob Staley 22 Stichters 85 7-2 Phil Stichter 26 Topeka Implement vs 88 9-0 Dave Hamilton 29 Love Furniture 80 8-1 Norm Vanlaningham 29

Wawasee to host 17 teams of wrestlers

For the second consecutive year Wawasee High School will host a large junior high wrestling invitational tournament. This year 17 teams are invited to the tournament which will be held Saturday, Feb. 36. Wrestling will begin at 9 a m. and continue throughout the day. Ribbons will be awarded to

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK WINNERS — Principal Howard Hull posed in this picture with the fall sports “Athlete of the Week" winners. Each week in The Mail-Journal sports pages, a Wawasee athlete is honored for his or her athletic achievements. In the front row are Principal Hull. Dawn Young, Jennifer Darr, Grace Stichter. Sonya Melendez and Mail-Journal sports reporter Gary Lewis. In the back row are Ross Dahlstrom. Joel Bales. Kris Cox. Mike Ballinger and Eric Beer.

Sectional tickets Thursday

Tickets for the Triton Sectional will go on sale this Thursday for student and adult season ticket holders. Season ticket holders can purchase their tickets at the Wawasee Athletic Office until noon Friday. The three-session ticket price is $4.50. For non-season ticket holders, sectional tickets will be available Hot Shot winners Wawasee Kiwanis sponsored a hot shot contest the past two Saturdays at Syracuse Junior High School for students in grades two through eight. Trophies will be given to the winners at the half-time of the Wawasee Junior Varsity basketball game Friday.'Feb. 25. Winners from Saturday's contest and their scores we\ Second grade — Mike Ferverda. first, 39; Craig Whetten. second, 20; and Brian Baker, third. 14 Third grade — Mason Robbins, first, 47; Joe Rhodes, second. 39; and Ben Ringler, third. 36 Fourth grade — Matt Haab. first, 71; Matt Ringler, second. 66; and Jason Mickley. third. 42 Fifth grade — Chris Conkling, first, 89; Rick Weaver, second. 60; and Jeremy Beer, third, 47 Sixth grade — John Karesh. first, 70; Dan Wuthrich, second. 65; and Pete Bonner, third; Seventh grade — Brian Ren sberger, first. 66: John Erasure, second. 44; and Basil Bonner, third Eighth grade — Tim Mangas, first. 72; Troy Reiff, second. 57; and Ben Beer, third. 41 In the competition from Saturday. Feb. 12. the winners were: Second grade — Brian Baker, first, 27 Third grade — Ben Ringler, first, 43; Mike Yoder, second. 38; and Troy Feaster, third. 37 Fourth grade — Matt Ringler, first. 58; Matt Pritchard, second. 34; and Todd Hutter, third. 29 Fifth grade — Rick Weaver, first, 53; Richard Haiman. second. 51; and Dan Gallmeier. third, 45 Sixth grade — John Karesh, first, 63; Tim Mangas, second, 60; and Brian Jones, third. 54 Seventh grade — Brian Ren sberger, first. 77; Dan O'Haver, second, 62; and Brent Johnson, third, 40 Eighth grade — Tim Mangas, first. 90; Todd Roberts, second. 64; and Erick Jones, third. 48.

winners of the first six places in each weight class. Schools expected td participate are Syracuse, Milford, North Webster, Pierceton, West Noble, Warsaw, Plymouth, Churubusco, Concord. Belmont, two LaPorte schools and five Mishawaka Junior High Schools.

beginning at noon Friday at the athletic office. Tickets will also be sold during the BremenWawasee game this Friday. Athletic secretary Sally Baker said tickets will be available at the door at $2.50 per session. Trojans wrestlers beat Concord The Milford wrestling team defeated Concord last week in junior-high wrestling action. Winning for Milford were Joe Henderson. Neil Schrock. Mitch Price. Eliseo Roa. Kendall Gallager. Albert Stricklin, Joe Hernandez. Ben Beer and Todd Boggs Stricklin pinned his Concord opponent in 9.5 seconds. ONE MINUTE SPORTS QUIZ 1. Who won the Hawaiian Open Golf Tournament? 2. Who won the LPGA Sarasota Classic? 3. Who was named Los Angeles Rams coach? 4. Who won the NBA AllStar game? Milford 6th graders lose last game The sixth-grade Milford girls' basketball team lost its last game of the season last week to North Webster 14-13. Chris Warmoth scored six and had three rebounds for the Lady Trojans followed by Rhonda Stookey with four.

Lakeland boys advance in KOC contest

Four boys from the Lakeland area swept the board in their divisions in the district level of the Knights of Columbus Freethrow Competition. Knights of Columbus Council 6323, Syracuse, sponsored the boys in the contest which involved finalists from Warsaw. Plymouth, Walkerton and Syracuse. From North Webster, Pete Bonner. 11, and Mike Eastman. 14, were winners in their age

» The Mail-Journal 1982-83 | s BASKETBALL CONTEST I | CONTEST RULES / Pick th# winners of thv gomvs lictvd W Wr Pl/I W ' ■■■■ o, ’d **"'* them in spot vs provided Pick thl£winners of the he breakers end A •WiWBOa • ti|| 1(l difference in scofu in the bo* " dditf Zw P .a«.ded a M ww k\ % All mailed entries must be received R • T no later thon 4 p m on Fr idov of the week 3 All Waakly Winnow Will 8. Eli 9 >blaFof i I g'7 £ B " ■ A Grand Prixa Drawing O. I Irhe1 rhe Moil Journal 8 O Bo» 188 Millard , ” M IM 46542 Os submit your e»*W y m person ■ at The Moil Journal office Qt ’O3 Las’ J W DA |H || dA Mom Syracuse Os 206 South Mom Mifford A X wIRDIwIp sure your entry r eoc hes us before 4 " ■ Illi p m Friday *Ou moy use the drop slot A DOI/L A ■■■■ at each office on Wednesday and Thurs v | KIAC MB WW day fcnkies receded alter the a ” £/ Arj deodlir»e will not be considered I ToßuAwardad To The Winner During Half Time Os (A V Weekly winners will receive $5 and X The Bremen-Wawasee Game Friday. Feb. 25 will be eligible to compete k?r the grand A pf'te of SIOO In the event that o weekly * 7 \ winne* wins more than once he or she // \ \ will be allowed to submit one enM yin *he ▼ ■ ~/// ' ~ \r—\ grand pr ire contest for each weekly con . 7, ■Bg 's, test won The winner ol the previous S m O 7 ’/ ' week s contest will appeal on this page . V / ! 4) tach contestant '»»ay submit no more ■ » “ x , a- ] thort two entries Sub’tnsston of more ■ . thon two e«»tr tes will i esult in pufomahi £ i BA* mppi/lA IMIMAiPn \ \ —disguolihcahon of all enh <es by that pv< | —LAST WEEK S WINNER — SB3 , t « j \ \ 5 The entroftt-s name addiess and ■ £ —_ \ \ phone numbef must be Jeo<l y printed on< Brent Zdrtnidn • hi | M uaw ■ is eligible fol the contest except employ " 4 D ||A|lvgbßßgfl £?' ees of'The Pope's Incorporated and ▲ De IvllllUlU I then immediate fomihes | 71 Decisions of the fudges will be hi>al M || || SJlnmaorWmsee G»sk««o.llistawjlu :— |j ! Warsaw at Elkhart Ceatral CaharatTrrtat ; J 3 *!lhrttWM«FiiriieM Mian ...Hicto. Stat. H J |TippeVaHey a tJdHGleiMi Pardue atllMs Ia | • ! | 7i. Breads Winner NAME || J I * w ADDRESS 1_ 11 11 BreHti at Wawasee q TY state zip it ||Mnr a ,TritM phone" It 1 -J-- 1

LIGHT LOAD — Emily Hull, daughter of Wawasee High School principal Howard Hull, provides an easy load for Cindy Hull. Cindy is principal Hull's niece and both showed up in support of the Warriors at a recent basketball game. (Photo by Gary Lewis*

category. Derek Smith, 12. and Tim Mangas. 13. from Syracuse, were other Lakeland winners. Approximately 30 youths participated in the event which was held on February 19 in Warsaw. The contest is open to all boys and girls ages 11-14 and involves four levels of competition. The winners from Lakeland are eligible to participate in the regional competition in Merrillville on March 6.

After the winners were determined from the district . contest, medals were awarded by District Deputy Mike Silver. €CI tssM CO > -uosuiqog uqof f WHM »uuoQ C •juoiuvtunoi V9d u< utw 04 »S9uvdvf isay ’Ufov orq | ziaft spuds °1