The Mail-Journal, Volume 21, Number 6, Milford, Kosciusko County, 22 February 1984 — Page 23

Discipline keys Warriors' sectional bid

By MARK WEINSTEIN When the current basketball season opened up in November, Wawasee’s chances of dethroning Warsaw as Sectional Champ were slim and none. But four months later, the Warriors are in position of putting the Tigers on the sidelines as they open first round action Friday, March 2, “Warsaw is definately the best team we played this

H m <3 KA \ > Jl l X -ir > COACH JOHN WYSONG

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year, by far,” said Wysong. “They have great talent and play well together.” But the 15-4 Warriors also are talented and play well together, entering the final weekend of action. “We have been playing steady ball throughout the year, but we are more disciplined now than before,” said Wysong. “We have changed a lot of things that we do. which isn't always good. But for us it is.”

Wawasee has been led from the outset by senior forward Jon Vitaniemi. Vitaniemi, averaging 19.1 points a game and 12 rebounds has been no surprise to Wysong and his coaching staff. “Vitaniemi has played well for the last two years,” said Wysong of his talented forward. “He has done more for a high school basketball program than anyone around.”. Having another consistent season for the Warriors, Vitaniemi has been listed as a possible condidate for the Academic All-State basketball team. “If Vitaniemi doesn’t make the team, then I think they should do away with the program,” said Wysong. “He’s definitely deserving of the award.” But Vitaniemi has just been one part of the success story for the Warriors. Entering the current season, Wysong had two starter returning. Vitaniemi and Jeff Atwood. But Kim Zurcher, Brooks Koble and Joel Rhoades have filled the shoes of the departed seniors of a year ago without any effect on the winning tradition, at Wawasee. “Hey, Zurcher has had a super season, as has Koble,” praised Wysong of his inexperienced backcourtmen entering the season. “Zurcher was the sixth man last year, and Koble never played varsity, so you can see the development these two have made. Even though much has been said about the three top scorers, several other War-

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riors have aided in the winning season. Rhoades, another reserve off last years team has stepped into the opposite forward slot of Vitaniemi and held his own. And while Rhodes has played an important role for Wawasee, defensive ace Jeff Atwood has keyed several victories. Atwood’s finest defensive game of the year came at Whitko when he slowed down the high scoring ace of the Wildcats, Jeff Peters. With Atwood’s intense defensive ability, and floor leadership, Wawasee has benefited greatly. Reserve Warriors Kyle Swartz, Seth Swihart, and Jum Evans all have played an important relief role for the starting give. As Wawasee’s “green” bench grows with more playing time, the Warriors have been harder to beat. While the young Warriors have progressed throughout the season individually, the team also has weathered the same growing pains. “I think one of the main reasons for our success is that we are playing the game like it was meant to be played,” said Wysong. “They are really unselfish, are fairly disciplined and play hard.” Opening up with several impressive victories, including their 64-55 victory at Elkhart Memorial, Wawasee opened some eyes across the state early. But following a disappointing loss at Warsaw the following week, the Warriors went through their darkest momments of the season. Encountering back-to-back losses with Plymouth

and at West •Noble, Wysong and his team had to regroup for the stretch run. And did they regroup. “That was probably the worst part of our season,” informed Wysong. “Not because we lost the two games, but because we played so poorly, lacking the intensity needed.” Reeling off four straight victories after the West Noble embarrasment, the Warriors were once again were sidetracked at Whitko. The loss didn’t slow to Warriors down much as they played well enough to win. But since the January 27 setback, the Warriors have

Wawasee Warriors 1983-84 Season Record WHS OPP Carroll 79 65 Fairfield 76 59 Mishawaka 73 46 Concord 57 30 Elkhart Memorial 64 55 Warsaw 54 65 Triton 72 67 Columbia City 64 54 Plymouth 59 74 West Noble 61 62 Northridge 60 38 Tippecanoe Valley 73 » 58 Goshen 81 62 Westview 60 49 Whitko 52 56 East Noble 55 46 Rochester 61 43 North Wood 76 56 Elkhart Central 72 68

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yet to lose, running off four straight heading into the Bremen contest. With Wawasee’s current winning streak, the Warriors have gained valuable momentum for their opening sectional round game with Warsaw. For a team that can be proud of its season, Wawasee still has some more objectives remaining in the current campaign. Triton’s Sectional opening round will provide the Warriors the opportunity. “We have to be pleased with our performance so far, but we can’t become satisfied,’’informed Wysong concerning the sectionals.