The Mail-Journal, Volume 21, Number 8, Milford, Kosciusko County, 7 March 1984 — Page 8

THE MAIL-JOURNAL - Wed., March 7,1984

8

Sports

Warriors finish at 15-6 —

Wawasee drops Tigers' "title" game

By MARK WEINSTEIN Sports Writer Wawasee’s boys’ basketball team left the Triton High School basketball court on the short end of a 63-53 sectional loss, Friday, March 2. But they didn’t leave the floor “losers,’’ as Wawasee put together another outstanding 15-6 record, while playing consistent basketball. “We have nothing to be ashamed of,” said Wawasee Head Coach John Wysong. “We did just about everything we wanted to do, but score. ” Warsaw, on the other hand had little trouble dropping the ball through the net. Paced behind Marty Lehmann’s 22 points and Rob Randels' 15, the seventhranked Tigers never trailed in the contest. Spurting out toa quick 4-0 lead,

Warsaw 82, Triton 57

Entering the championship contest with Warsaw, Triton had all the momentum going with them. But the force quickly stopped as the Tigers raced out to a 20-14 lead after one period, and went on to capture their second CHAMPIONSHIP CLASH — Triton Head Coach Ned Wicker, left, and Warsaw’s Al Rhodes enjoy themselves during the 1984 Triton Sectional. Wicker led his team into the championship game with the Tigers, while Rhodes* Tigers had little trouble with Wawasee, much to his amazement. (Photos by Mark Weinstein)

Triton 75, Rochester 51

Despite Coach Ned Wicker’s fears that the Trojans would have an emotional low after their win over Tippy Valley, Triton stormed past Rochester 75-51 in semifinal action. Forcing turnovers with its fullcourt press and capitalizing with a torrid fast break, Triton outscored the Zebras 48-26 in the final half to earn a shot at Warsaw in the sectional finals. Rochester, which trailed by

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Warsaw had matters well under control throughout the contest. But three key breaks added to the Tigers’ winning effort. Clinging to a slim two-point lead midway into the initial period, Warsaw benefited greatly from a techincal foul called on the Wawasee bench. After Lehmann stole on the sidelines in front of the Wawasee bench, he appeared to step out of bounds on his way down the court. However, he converted a driving layup for a 10-6 Tiger lead. But on the ensuing trip downcourt for the Warriors, a technical foul was called on the Wawasee bench for protesting the sideline call. “The techincal hurt us,” said Wysong. “But I don’t think the call was merited. There was nothing said from the bench that

straight Triton Sectional, 82-57. Initially, the Trojans stayed with the seventh-ranked Tigers. But when Triton lost two of its key players late in the first quarter, the Trojans could never recover.

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just 11 entering the final eight minutes, continued to fall behind when Curt Anders started his scoring campaign. Opening the fourth period with a short jumper. Anders immediately stole a Rochester pass on the Zebras’ next possession. Anders scored on Triton’s return trip down court, taking a pass from John Smith for the layup. Moments later, Anders made Triton basketball history with a

deserved a technical.” But from that crucial- turning point, Warsaw had Wawasee in deep trouble, which they could never escape. With Warsaw's Jeff Grose sinking both ends of the techincal tosses, Steve Hollar followed with a short jumper giving the Tigers a 14-6 spread. Still, Wawasee continued to play hard and battle the talented Tigers. Attempting to get back into the game, Wawasee closed Warsaw’s 10-point spread to six points, 20-14, early in the second quarter, but Warsaw ran off eight straight points later in the period to bury the Warriors. Randels, who receives little attention due to Lehmann’s and Grose’s abilities, keyed the Timers’ success in the second half. With the Tigers holding to their 33-21 lead at the half, Randels poured in 11 of his 15

With Warsaw holding to a 13-9 lead late in the initial period, Marty Lehmann scored on an inside jumper. But on the play, Triton’s Mark Senff was whistled for his third foul, and was forced to rest on the bench. But on Senff’s infraction the juniors’ elbow struck Curt Anders in the eye, which sent the high scoring senior into the lockerroom for medical attention. With Senff resting on the pines, and Anders receiving treatment for the eye, Triton couldn’t stay with the explosive Tigers. Trailing by seven points when the two top Trojans left the court, Warsaw outscored its hosts 26-16 before both teams returned to the lockerroom at the half. With Anders and Senff both back at the outset of the third quarter, the Trojans once again stayed with the Tigers. But they didn’t have the firepower to cut into Warsaw’s lead after the intermission. Lehmann and Jeff Grose continued to play outstanding to offset any potential Triton rally in the final 16 minuted of action as the Tigers posted their 20th win of the season. Grose paced the victorious effort with 27 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and five steals. Lehmann added 21 points and 14 rebounds on the evening. Warsaw, which played in the championship game three years ago against Triton, is hoping to make a return trip to Market Square Arena for another final four appearance, similar to the 1981 glory year. In that championship season, the Tigers were ousted in the semifinal championship round by Anderson.

/ baseline jumper giving him 12 points for the contest. More importantly, Anders eclipsed Jack Carpenter’s career scoring record of 960 points. Anders finished his career with 967 points. Meister led all scorers with 28 points, while Zak Lender added 13 and Anders finished with 12. Scott Zent paced the 5-16 Zebras with 14 points and Joe McCarter added 10.

points in the third stanza to keep Wawasee off their tails. During the third period scoring spree by Randels, the Tigers comfortably took a 49-29 lead with 1:05 remaining. From then on, Warsaw coasted into the sectional championship, although Wawasee closed to the gap at the end. During the final eight minutes of action, Wawasee finally loosened up. Kim Zurcher and Brooks Koble played exceptioanlly well during the stanza, but it was too late for any miracles. Zurcher, who finished the game with 16 points, received a standing ovation after he fouled out late in the contest. “Our shot selection was as good as we’ve had all year,” said Wysong. “Our guards got good shots but didn’t hit well until they relaxed in the final quarter.” Junior Brooks Koble joined

ALL-SECTIONAL First Team MARTY LEHMANN, Warsaw JEFF GROSE, Warsaw CURT ANDERS, Triton RYAN MEISTER, Triton JON VITANIEMI, Wawasee Second Team KIM ZURCHER, Wawasee BROOKS KOBLE, Wawasee GREG VAN DEWATER, Valley ROB RANDELS, Warsaw MARK SENFF, Triton W-saJ ) ' \ ' REGIONAL PARTICIPANTS IN THE FORT WAYNE SEMI-STATE AREA Marion Logansport vs Marion Hunt. North vs Bellmont Michigan City Valparaiso vs S.B. Adams N. Judson vs M.C. Rogers Elkhart E. Noble vs Plymouth Warsaw vs Penn Fort Wayne Northrop vs Elmhurst Garrett vs Carroll

-Sports shorts

Chad Dippaa in Tri-Star regional Chad Dippon, son of Mr. and Mrs. Don Beer, Jr., Milford, participated in the Tri-Star regional shooting, passing and dribbling contest in Michigan City recently. Chad earned the right to compete at Michigan City by virtue of his first-place finish at Warsaw in January. While at the regional competition, Chad received a medal of participation and an autograph from Michigan City Rogers star Delray Brooks. Chad is a third grader at Milford Elementary School. iro|on grappiers lose to Towncrest The Milford Junior High School wrestling team lost to Towncrest by the score of 60-30 on March 1. Mitch Price, Eliseo Roa, Dan Dennis, Nicky Hernandez, Ramiro Castro and John Mill* were cited for fine performances. Throe wrestlers compete in ISWA Three local wrestlers, Jeff Dunithan, Jeff Welborn and Don Kauffman, competed hi an Indiana State Wrestling Association* (ISWA) meet at Delta High School last Saturday. Dunithan finshed second at 112 pounds. Welborn placed

Zurcher for scoring honors with 16 points, while Jon Vitaniemi was held to 13 points, but also added 16 rebounds in his final Wawasee performance. “I can’t say enough about what our team did this year,” said Wysong. “We had a good year and have nothing to be ashamed of.” In closing out the season with the school’s third best record, Wysong accepted the end of the season in stride. “Getting beat by Warsaw is nothing to be upset about, they are a very good team,” added Wysong. “They conducted themselves like winners, when they could have rubbed our noses in the loss.” Along with Lehmann’s 22 points, the Tigers also received support from Randels, who added 15, and Grose, who finished with 12.

Triton 64, Tippe Valley 55

Triton and Tippecanoe Valley played to a 12-12 tie after the initial period of the Triton Sectional. But after the first eight minutes, the host Trojans outscored the Vikings in every quarter en route to their 64-55 upset victory over the Vikings. “This is a great win for our program,” said Triton coach Ned Wicker. “We’re still trying to build the program and we needed a win like this.” Triton, clinging to its 27-26 lead at the half, came out early in the third period with great intensity. Patiently working the ball for a high percentage shot, the Trojans methodically began pulling away from the Vikings in the period. With the advantage swaying between the two rivals throughout the period, Triton’s Curt Anders provided the Trojans a lead they never relinquished. With time running out in the period, and the score knotted at 39-apiece, Anders sank two free throws.- Seconds later, Anders pulled up for a short baseline jumper, giving the Trojans a 43-39 lead entering the final quarter. But just as Anders was leading Triton, Greg Van DeWater was doing the same for Valley. The senior sharpshooter, who netted 17 of his 21 points in the second Winning team Warsaw has won three of the last four Triton Sectionals. The Tigers also own 14 sectional titles in the past 34 years.

third at 121 pounds. Kauffman did not place at 160.5 pounds. All three competed in the advanced division. The next ISWA tournament is scheduled for this Saturday, March 10, at Elkhart Memorial High School. Youth Center to hold six-week wrestling program The Lakeland Youth Center will hold an organizational meeting for its spring wrestling program on Monday, March 12, at 6 p.m. in the Wawasee High School wrestling room. All youths who plan to participate in the program must be present with their parents. Youth Center Director Jill Stanley, and coaches Mike Jones, Rich Welborn and Dave Baumgartner will be present at the meeting. A short video presentation featuring Russ Helickson, Olympic wrestling silver medalist, will be shown. The program will run through April 30 and is open to anyone in kindergarten through 12th grade. Atwood wins K of C regional free throw title Darin Atwood captured the 14-year-old division in the Knights of Columbus regional free throw competition in LaPorte on March 4. Atwood advanced to the regional as a result of his win in the district competition at

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REJECTION — Wawasee’s Jon Vitaniemi goes up for a shot in first quarter action with Warsaw at the Triton Sectional. Warsaw’s Marty Lehmann, instead, finds an alternate route for the ball to travel. (P loto by Mark Weinstein)

half, singlehandidly kept the Vikings within s riking distance until he fouled out late in the contest. Yet, as Van DeWater kept bringing the Vikings back into contention with the Trojans with his spectacular shooting, Anders, Meister or Senff would counter for the Trojans. Playing under extreme pressure, Valley failed to remain close to the Trojans in the final eight minutes. With their shots continuing to fall off the rim, and Triton continuing to score from the field and at the foul line, the Trojans easily claimed their first sectional victory since 1981. “We played well,” said Tippecanoe Valley head coach Bob Dußois. “We didn’t make a lot of errors, and we rebounded well. The only thing I saw was that the ball was on the rim all night for us, and we didn’t shoot as many free throws as Triton did.” r For the contest, Tippecanoe« Valley shot a miserable 38 percent from the field, (25-66), and 56 percent from the charity line, (5-9). Triton on the other hand faired a little better. From the field, the Trojans managed 21 of 44 fielders for 48 percent and 22 of 30 from the stripe for 73 percent. Anders paced Triton’s victorious scoring effort with 20 points, whiie Ryan Meister and Marie Sens chipped in with 13 points each Greg Van DeWater led all scores with 21 points, while Shad McConkey closed out his high school days with 17 points for the Vikings. Tippecanoe Valley bows out of further competition with a 11-10 mark.

Syracuse He now moves into the state competition. Chris Conkling, the other area representative in the regional competition, finished second in the 11-year-oid division. IHSAA seeks 1918 S. Bend sectamal data The IH:>AA is asking basketball buffs to search their memories for information on the 1918 sectional basketball tournament. Sectional tournaments started in 1917. Milford and Syracuse played at South Bend in 1917. Milford, Syracuse and Leesburg played at South Bend in 1919. However, IHSAA results do not sho v that these teams played in South Bend in 1918. If anyone has information on whet ier one of these three teams p ayed in the 1918 South Bend Sectional, it should be sent to Herb Swartz, P.O. Box 121, Gos ten, IN 46526. ND gridders to p»iy in roiace bene It contest Memters of the Notre Dame football earn and the Warsaw Community High School faculty will square off in a benefit game for the International Palace of Sports Youth Foundation on March 14 at 7p.m. in the WCHS gym. The Notre Dame roster includes Milt Jackson, Rlair

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HANGING IN THERE — Mark Senff, hangs in the air before sinking one of his field goals in the first half against Tippecanoe Valley. Triton upset the Vikings 64-55. (Photo by Mark Weinstein)

Kiel, Jon Mosley, Mike Kelley, Stacy Toran, Brian Behmaer, Mike Bolic, Joe Johnson and Larry Williams. Anyone who wants to serve as a coach for the Irish during the contest should submit a sealed bid to the Palace of Sports. Chris Schenkel will serve as host for the evening. An auction of sports items donated by sports personalities, pro teams and manufacturers will take place at halftime of the game. Tickets may be purchased from a member of the Wawasee Girls Basketball Boosters, at the WCHS office or at the Palace of Sports, P.O. Box 332, North Webster, 46555. Further information may be obtained by calling the Palace of Sports, 834-7060. Juniors bowling tourney scheduled for March 10 The Syracuse City Bowling Tournament for Junior Bowlers is scheduled for Sat., March 10, at Wawasee Bowl. The event is slated to begin at 9 a.m. The cost for bowling is higher than regular bowling fees, and registration can be made on the morning of the tourney. The Junior-Adult Tournament is scheduled for Sat., March 17, at 9 a.m. In this event, children are scheduled to bowl with their parents. If a parent cannot bowl, the bowling association will provide an adult to bowl with the child. However, arrangements need to be made in advance of the tourney.

The annual Banquet and Awards Ceremony will be held at Wawasee Bowl on March 31 at 9 a.m. All children and parents are urged to attend. Those who plan to be at the banquet should contact Pam Blosser, 856-4788, or Suzi Packynski, 457-4131. AU bowling fees must be paid in order to receive an award. $ WHS selling golf tickets for athletic fund Wawasee baseball coach Myron Dickerson has announced that Wawasee High School wiU seU special golf tickets in order to raise money for the basebaU and football programs. The S2O tickets enable a foursome to play five rounds of golf at four local courses. One round of golf must be played at each of the following courses; Maxwelton, Wawasee, South Shore and Big Boulder. The fifth round can be played at any of those courses. The tickets are vaUd until October 31, with the only restriction being that the foursome must rent a golf cart for each round played. Athletes wiU be selling tickets in the community in the coming weeks. Tickets may also be obtained by calling the high school at 457-3147. All of the proceeds from ticket sales will be used towards the basebaU and footbaU programs, money raised from last year’s sale was used to purchase a portable batting cage for the baseball team.