The Mail-Journal, Volume 20, Number 7, Milford, Kosciusko County, 2 March 1983 — Page 8

THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., March 2,1983

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Sports

Big question — Who will play Warsaw?

By GARY LEWIS With everything taken into consideration, Warsaw looks to be the team to beat in the 1983 Triton Sectional. The Tigers have not been consistent during their 11-9 season, but four of those 11 wins came against Triton Sectional opponents. One of those 11 wins was a 59-55 triumph over Wawasee early in the season at the Warriors’ gym. Another important factor is the Tigers virtual cakewalk to the season finale. Playing the 4-16 host Triton in the semi-final round Friday night, the Tigers will have all week to prepare for the Warriors. With that draw, and their tournament experience — finishing in the final four in the ’BO-81 season — the real question of this season’s tournament is who will be playing the Tigers in the championship game Saturday night. For Wawasee, picked as a favorite by most area coaches, a trip to the championship game is a difficult one because of the Warriors long, two-game route. Coach John Wysong would sure like to be in that championship contest but he knows all about these tournament games. “There are more upsets in the sectional, statewide, than in the regional or even in the state.” he said a few weeks ago. “Sometimes the best team doesn't win. You can have a great team, a fine season, but it is so easy to get knocked out m sectional play ” If the Warriors should lose in the tourney, Wysong will not call the loss an upset. He is well aware and has a great deal of respect for Tippe Valley, the Warriors first round opponent tonight. „, _ “1 think they’re going to be relaxed, and I think they re going to come out and really play, said Wysong. Valley has been plagued with injury problems all season and the 7-13 finish could have been better. Those injuries, to starters Jeff Webb and Pat Lafferty, will be a major question in tonight's contest. . Webb’s absence especially created problems for coach Roland Fletcher’s Vikings. A 10-point scorer and the Three Rivers Conference leading assist leader, Webb runs the offense for Valley A knee injury kept him out of action about half of the season and Lafferty’s been suffering from a recurring back problem. . According to Wysong’s scouting report, though, both ot those players should be in uniform tonight. “They ’re going to be there, whether or not they are partially injured or not, I don’t know,” said Wysong. “‘As far as I know, everything is go for them. ” Wawasee defeated Valley 80-71 in a January game. The Warriors were able to win the contest on the strength of a strong first half “We went to lunch in the third quarter, Wysong Wysong is not too concerned about their earlier meeting, however. “I’d say it was a rather insignificant game, he added. Valley is a team that likes to run when it gets the opportunity and shoot from the outside. “They ’ll try to run the ball on us and they’ll try to press us a lot. That’s the type of game I expect. Another Viking strong suit is their ability to hit free throws. Hitting 65 per cent from the charity stripe as a team through most of the season, the Warriors must not allow their man-to-man defense to create a lot of fouls. Good defensive positioning is a must at all times. “We ll have to play good pressure defense without putting them on the free throw line anymore than we have too, ” said Wysong. If the Vikings get a parade of charity tosses, it could be a long evening for Wawasee fans. The inside game, an important asset for Wawasee, becomes a minor point for the Warriors in this contest. The Vikings are content to shoot the ball from outside when the opportunity is there and only go inside when the paint is vacated., Good shot selection, created by crisp passes, will be the Warriors offensive goal in tonight’s contest. “They can relax, let all the stops out, and shoot the ball well as they normally do. It will be an interesting game for us. Wysong was reluctant to look ahead to the Rochester game, the team Wawasee plays in the first game of the second round Friday night, but he agreed to share these insights of Wawasee s opponents IF the Warriors win:

Warriors win first NIC basketball title

After last week’s 76-61 win against Bremen, some people referred to the conference championship as only a piece of the NLC pie. If there is such a thing as a “piece”, to a conference championship, then Wawasee’s piece must have the most frosting on it. Wawasee captured its first Northern Lakes Conference championship last week and achieved the best regular-season mark since the 1971-72 basketball season. The Warriors proved they were championship material in the second half of the game, overcoming a mild offensive breakdown in the first two quarters before pouring in 52 points — 32 in the final stanza — in the second half. The win upped Wawasee’s record to 15-5 on the season and a sparkling 6-1 in NLC play. The Warriors technically tied Plymouth for league-leading honors, but a regular season win over the Pilgrims makes for a good argument about the real NLC champ. “We really don't have the time to take all of this in,” coach John Wysong said after the game. “We really won’t realize what this all means until after the season ends” Senior center Ron Spunar continued his improvement and in the second half sparked the Warriors to the win. He scored 19 of his 23 points in the final two quarters of play and he grabbed seven rebounds in the last half of play He connected on from the floor for the evening.

Wawasee connected on 24-of-28 free throws for the game and 16-of-23 in the last two quarters of play. After a 24-24 tie at the half, the Warriors roared in the middle of the third stanza to take a 40-30 lead on eight straight points Wawasee started to look inside frequently and with each look, more passes went to Spunar. But the rugged Bremen defense never quit and the Lions were within four as several points in the final eight minutes — at 51-48 and then later on at 59-55. Bremen’s Todd Wagoner, who scored 21, cut the Wawasee lead in the Bremen comeback, scoring a three-point play to come within four. Wawasee started things going again and led by 10 down in the stretch. The final Wawasee rally was highlighted by Kevin Smith’s six straight free throws after Bremen’s coach Dean Foster was whistled for two technicals. Smith was fouled on the play preceding the pair of bench technicals and hit both of his one-and-one opportunities before sinking the final four baskets. Smith’s marksmanship gave the Warriors a 73-57 lead. The Warriors then began to bury the Lions even further in the final two minutes of play, out scoring the Lions by 11 the rest of the way. Wysong said after the game defense in the first half was what saved the Wawasee cause. Wawasee connected on 9-of-28 in the first two quarters, compared to 17-of 30 in the last two stanzas. Wawasee had a decisive

Rochester. Friday, 7:3b P.M. Wawasee had one of its toughest games against the Zebras and if the Warriors should survive the Vikings tonight, he expects Rochester to be just as tough again. “Rochester gave us more problems than any team we beat in the conference, said Wysong. “At that game, we were lucky to get out of there with a win. They ’ Il do the same type of things Valley will try to (to. That means Rochester will come out of the blocks looking to run with the big people firing away. Probable starters for Rochester look small, but should match-up well with the Warriors except for the notable exception of 6-LO senior center RonSpunar. „ Spunar was a big factor in the Warriors 59-53 win. He blocked several Zebra shots from inside and generally disrupted the Rochester offensive plans. Although the play of Spunar is always important for the Warriors, Wysong maintains that the big key will be Rochester s shooting from outside. “Both Rochester and Tippe Valley have good perimeter shooters. I think they 11 take it inside every now and then when you give it to them, but they will be happy to shoot it from the perimeter. ”’ “They had a nice year. They came back this season missing quite a few people and won 10 ball games, said Wysong. They have proved to be a very tough opponent A big reason for the team's success is due to, the outstanding jday of senior Rusty Triplett. He has connected at a 56 per cent dip from the field and a 16.6 per game average. Senior guard Brian Johnson, at 5-7, can hit from outside and so can 5-10 senior Jeff Zent. Warsaw. Championship Game? If its Wawasee-Warsaw in the final game of the sectional Saturday night, then look for the play of sophomore Jeff Grose, The Mail-Journal’s sectional supplement “Area Player of the Year/’ to ignite the Warsaw offense. The latest Wawasee report on the Tigers is filled with several plays to get the 6-1 sophomore free. And the bad news for Wawasee is that it seems the Tigers have more plays against a man-to-man defense than a zone. So Wysong’s rugged man-to-man defense will have to [day extra hard if the Warriors get a chance to face the Tigers in the final round Saturday. Grose connected for 26 and 21, against Mishawaka and Elkhart Central, respectively. The two recent games could put the sophomore in sync for the sectional tourney But Wysong is more wary of the other Tigers threat — big 67 senior John Snyder and 6-5 junior Marty Lehmann. Also to be considered in any Warsaw game plan is 6-3 junior Rob Randels and of couse if its the night for seniors, starting guard Tod Ritchison could get things heated up for the Tiger attack. Wysong is concerned about the other Warsaw regulars because he already knows what Grose, Snyder and Lehmann can do. “They have three players who have the potential to go to Division I schools, ” said Wysong. “Their other players have a lot of experience in different situations last year and this year, so it is a team with plenty of depth. . J To me, Warsaw is one of the most underrated teams in the area because when they do play very well, they’re very , very good.” Warsaw has had the potential for a great team and Wysong thinks tournament play could help make this greatness surtace. Warsaw’s win against the Warriors is even more impressive when one considers the Tigers handled the Warriors easily without the play of Lehmann Warsaw was ahead by 19 m the last quarter before Wawasee was able to close the gap in the last few minutes. Wysong will try to make his team aware of the special plays the Tigers will throw at the Warriors, and “explain to them what they try to do with a given play when they call it . ” Despite the abundance of plays. Wysong will stick to his man-to-man defense. “You cannot pressure the ball as well, you can’t deny reversals as well and you can’t stop the initial pass to start the option playin a zone. “If we would change a lot of things for them, they would already be accomplishing a lot,” Wysong noted.

rebounding edge. 37-16 and was 46 per cent from the field on 26-of-57 shooting. Bremen was 42 per cent on 26-of-62 from the field and 8-of--9 from the free throw line. Brian Walls scored 14 for Wawasee, Jon Vitaniemi 11 and Kevin Smith 10 Defensive stalwart Jeff Atwood scored a season-high eight, but more importantly played tremendous defense on Bremen s Wagoner, whose outside shooting was a big concern for Wysong. With Atwood hounding him on every shot, Wagoner managed only eight points in the first half, two in the first quarter, and forced a number of shots. For Bremen, a team Wysong said had an outstanding season, the regularseason ended with a 12-8 mark and 4-3 in NLC play. For Bremen, Mike DeSantis scored 14 in a relief role and Kevin Bennet added 10. WAWASEE (76) Smith 2-10 6-6 2, Zurcher 0-2 2-20, Atwood 3-7 2-2 0, Walls 5-12 44 2, Vitaniemi 4-8 34 3, Hare 0-0 0-10, Spunar 9-13 5-7 3, Rhoades 3-5 2-21. BREMEN (61 > Hickman 1-104)0, Bennitt 4-8 2-2 4, Holmes 04 2-2 2, Whitsei 14 0-0 2, Adams 04 2-2 2, Gardner 5-8 0-0 2, Wagoner 9-21 23 3, DeSantis 7-12 0-04. Shooting: Wawasee 26 of 57 for 46 per cent, Bremen 26 of 62 for 42 percent. Rebounds: Wawasee37 (Smith 5, Atwood 2, Walls 3, Vitaniemi 8, Spunar 13, Rhoades 2), Bremen . 16 (Holmes 3, Whitsei 2, Gardner 2, Wagoner 6, DeSantis 3). Free throws: Wawasee 24 of 28, Bremenßof 9

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1 AST FAII — The varsitv cheerleaders built one of their last pyramids, moments before their traditional fall, before the home crowd daring a break in the action game with Bremen was the last game for Wawasee senior cheerleaders Annette Bushong. Knsta Everts and Deanna Charlton. (Photoby Gary Lewis)

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JOY OF VICTORY? — Wawasee coach John Wysong expresses the emotion and intensity of last week’s 76-61 conference championship win over Bremen. Wysong’s team has the best record since the 1971-72 basketball season. (Photo by Gary Lewis)

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1-2-3: 4-56- Senior Kevin Smith connected on six straight free throws in the last few minutes of last week’s conference-clinching 76-61 win over Bremen. Smith had six chances because he was fouled prior to two technicals whistled against the Bremen coach. He hit the first two, a bonus situation, because of a foul and then followed with four-straight tosses to bury the Lums. (Photos by GaryLewisi „

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JV squad one of the best ever

By GARY LEWIS Coach Doug Brookins is a little uncomfortable being called “coach’ ’ nowdays, but the former Creighton UmversityFatrfield High School star says he’s glad he did it. Taking over another coach’s team is a difficult task for anyone and when Rob Staley left Wawasee land for an assistantprincipal job at Fairfield, coach John Wysong’s basketball program was in a fix. But upon Wysong’s request, Brookins took over the Wawasee junior varsity team despite having no prior coaching experience. The selection of Brookins was a good one as the JV Warriors compiled a 7-1 mark since his arrival. That upped the Warriors mark to 14-6 on the season, nearing the all-time JV mark established in 1978. “I really wasn’t too worried about the games because I’ve had experience in game situations as a player.” Brookins said. “It was the practice sessions that caused me concern, “ he added. Brookins said he did very little to change what Staley had established In fact, he only implemented one thing extra - an out-of-bounds play. “It was a challenge for me to take this job. 1 think the team made some progress while I was there.” Brookins said he was impressed with his boys’ efforts this season and he felt his team “had

Rocky start By PETE FRITCHIE WASHINGTON, DC. - The new U.S. Football League may get off to a rocky start. But then that's the way all new football leagues begin. A recenfcexhibition game between the Boston Breakers and the Tampa Bandits, in the Tangerine Bowl in Orlando, was played before an almost empty bouse. The weather was bad, and had been bad for hours before game time. But it looked like good football. A surprising number of players had performed in the N.F.L. A few rookies might make it in that league today. The new league isn’t as shaky as some new leagues have been in the past It has millions in TV money, a solid contract. The question is whether these teams can develop fans and loyalties and keen interest, in time. They need not develop all that in one year — which would be impossible. But good TV money won’t forever flow to the U.S, Football League if the annual progression isn’t promising. And can football compete successfully in spring and summer? The age of television makes it more likely than it would have been a few years ago. The best feature about it is that a greater number of players will now be able to earn a living in the sport after graduation from college.

one of the best defenses for a JV team around. ’’ Wawasee won its 14th game of the season against Bremen, 44-26. Sophomore Brooks Koble finished the season as the leading scorer and Jon Hapner was the leading rebounder Brookins was quick to point out. though, that seven players made the most contributions Kevin Tracey. Jim Evans, Seth Swihart and Kyle Swartz were the principal components in this season’s JV team. “They never talked much about the record, said Brookins “We just took one game at a time.” He will remain as assistant coach throughout the sectional this week. ONE MINUTE SPORTS QUIZ 1. Who won the Isuzu-Andy Williams San Diego Open golf tournament? 2. Who won the Daytona 500 stock car race? 3. Name the winner of the Virginia Slims tennis title. 4. In what sport is Scott Hamilton known? 5. Who won the Sullivan Award? Answers Tn Sports Quiz i qq»i <"IN s jaSanf raipuy JOAO «AO|I)*M«H »uim»h f . qSnoioqj»A »l»3 Z -gjaqilVH I