The Mail-Journal, Volume 21, Number 9, Milford, Kosciusko County, 14 March 1984 — Page 9

Sports

Tigers down Pilgrims, headed for semi-state

By,MARK WEINSTEIN Sports Writer Three years ago, Al Rhodes took a Warsaw team to Fort Wayne for semi-state action, eventually winning the tournament and advancing to Market Square Arena for the state finals. Now Rhodes will be making a return trip to the Allen County Memorial Coliseum for Saturday’s Semi-State round of “Hoosier Hysteria”. But unlike 1981, the Tigers have a tougher challenge than in years past. Along with Marion , and Fort Wayne Elmhurst, top-ranked Michigan City Rogers enters the four-team “Sweet Sixteen” sweepstakes. Saturday’s action opens at 11 a m. with Michigan City Rogers going up against Marion, making its 10th straight appearance in the semi-state. Warsaw will conclude the afternoon round of action against Fort Wayne Elmhurst atJ2:3O p.m. Warsaw earned the right to represent Kosciusko County with its thrilling 67-59 victory over Plymouth last week in the Elkhart Regional at North Side gym Against Plymouth. Warsaw had everything it could handle. Jack Edison's pressing Pilgrims kept pace with the Tigers by forcing 18 tur- # novers. As a result, Plymouth led throughout the majority of the contest until the seventhranked Tigers game back late in the third period. But Warsaw's team play, along with an inspiring break away slam dunk by Marty Lehmann in the third quarter, spelled the difference With the Warsaw fans in a frenzy. Plymouth quickly turned the ball back over to the Tigers, and the visitors on the scoreboard made the most of the situation. "Marty's dunk was perhaps the turning point,” said Rhodes about the momentum change. "The fans gave us a lift, especially on defense down the stretch.” With the Tigers holding to a four-point lead. 40-36, and the momentum, Edison was forced to insert leading scorer Jamie Johnson, plagued with four personal fouls And Johnson provided the rattled Pilgrims with the lift they needed. Hitting on a quick turnaround jumper, Plymouth closed within a field goal. Both squads remained locked in a physical game until Warsaw exploded in the final four minutes of the contest. At that point, Johnson was

Gymnasts end season at regional

By TOM CHARLES Sports Editor The Wawasee High School i gymnastics team ended its season with a disappointing trip to the Merrillville Regional over the weekend. Hampered by a battle with . nerves and some tough competition, the Warriors failed to qualify any gymnasts for the state finals. “Our lack of experience in high pressure meets really hurt us because this is one of the toughest regionals in the state,” noted Wawasee coach Kim Conrad. “We were very shaky on the balance beam. In fact, all of our \ routines seemed to be shaky.” Curtis Qualifies > Katrina Curtis, Warsaw’s lone gymnast, was the only area competitor to advance to Saturday’s state meet at Perry Meridian High School. Curtis won a place in the state meet in both the vault and floor exercise events. Her floor exercise score was 9.2, good enough for third place in the event. She recorded an 8.9 on the vault. Curtis also finished sixth in the allaround competition. Wawasee Woes Paula Smith, who won the intermediate all-around title at the Wawasee Sectional, was slowed by a foot injury at Merrillville. The injury, which was later diagnosed as a broken bone, was sustained in a Thursday practice session. Two other intermediate gymnasts, Tressa Littleton and Stephanie Crow turned in fine performances, but failed to advance. Kathy Campbell, Wawasee s

fi a nA M fl fl f

' wMSNMI I

LEHMANN LAYUP — Warsaw’s Marty Lehmann splits three Penn Kingsmen defenders as he scores an easy layup in the Tigers’ first regional game.

Warsaw went on to defeat the Kingsmen, and Plymouth Pilgrims to earn the right to play Fort Wayne Elmhurst in the Fort Wayne Semi-State at the Allen County Memorial Coliseum, Saturday, March 17. (Photo by Mark Weinstein)

whistled for his fifth foul of the evening, and the flood gates opened on Plymouth. The soft-spoken Edison, disagreeing with referee Larry Jones' call, was slapped with a techincal foul. And after Marty Lehmann sank both charity tosses for the foul, Jeff Grose canned the pair of technical tosses. From then on, Warsaw expanded its lead to 10 points throughout the final moments, only to see the stubborn

lone optional entrant in the meet, had an off day. The talented freshman turned in a fine performance on the uneven bars, but it was not enough in the tough field Shelly Daniels and Michele Leffler also competed in the competition. Neither of them placed among the top finishers The Regional team title was captured by Highland with a score of 103.05 points. Valparaiso was close behind with 102.15 points. Elkhart Central was third with 95.50 points. Memorial’s Steph Reich, winner of the optional all-around title

GYMNASTICS STATE QUALIFIER — Warsaw’s Katrina Curtis is the only local gymnast to qualify for the IHSAA state meet at Perry Meridian High School on Saturday. Curtis. Warsaw’s lone optional gymnast, will compete in floor exercise and vault. < Photo by Tom Charles)

Pilgrims battle to the final eight-point defeat. Lenmann paced the Tigers winning effort with 28 points while Grose added 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds for the Tigers. Rob Randels, who was in foul trouble all evening, scored six points before fouling out late in the game. Tony Plothow and Johnson led the NLC runners-up with 16 points each. Matt Starr added 12 points for the Pilgrims.

at the Wawasee Sectional, repeated the feat at Merrillville. She now advances to the state finals, becoming the first Elkhart County girl gymnast to accomplish that feat. Wawasee Summary Paula Smith — Floor (6.9), Beam (5.35), Bars (4.6) Kathy Campbell — Vault (7.6), Bars (7.95), Floor (8.0), Beam (6.95) Steph Crow — Vault (8.35) Shelly Daniels — Beam (6.55) Tressa Littleton — Floor (7.45) Michele Leffler — Beam (7.05)

At Michigan State

Skiles honored, but not satisfied

Editor’s note: For Scott Skiles, former Plymouth High School star, life in the Big Ten isn’t as wonderful as one would imagine. Although he led his high school to the IHSAA state championship in 1981, Skiles has been disappointed in the performance of the Spartans since his arrival at Michigan State University. Below, Skiles talks after Michigan State's victory over Wisconsin, March 3, about his role in the Spartans' backcourt, and anticipation of bringing a conference championship to East Lansing. By MARK WEINSTEIN Sports Writer Success has filled the life of Plymouth’s Scott Skiles on the basketball court. Beginning from his days in LaPorte, and throughout his years at Plymouth, success and Skiles have gone together. But since his most memorable high school moment of winning the 1982 Indiana high school basketball championship, things haven’t been as rosy for the stocky guard. Overlooked by many major colleges across the country, Skiles finally chose Michigan State University, a choice that’s helped develop another side of the point guard — patience. Not that the former Indiana All-State performer had to wait his turn to see action. Instead, he has been waiting for the talented Spartans to come together as a unit. Besides playing on a team that was predicted to win the conference, and finished sixth, Skiles also has faced hard times with a late season injury. While losing 10 of their 18 conference games, Skiles reached another setback with a possible pinched tendon in his right knee. The injury, although not severe enough to keep the competitive Skiles out of action, may require surgery during the off season. “I was real optimistic coming into the season, I thought we would have a great team” said Skiles “But I also figured if we weren’t a great team we would have a very mediocre one. We have a lot of talent, but in college basketball today, that doesn’t mean anything.” But the Spartans have reeled off five straight wins, including an impressive win at Indiana, which opened some eyes for an National Invitational Tournament berth late in the season. “We played well at IU, but we made some dumb mistakes,” said Skiles. “And after beating Minnesota and Wisconsin, people are beginning to talk about the NIT again. I think we are beginning to put things together now.” With Michigan State clinging to the possible post-season berth during its final five contests. But the Spartans had no other entrance to the NIT, except by winning their remaining games. “I honestly feel if we win our remaining games we will get an NIT bid,” said MSU head coach Jud Heathcote after the Spartans ripped Wisconsin 78-59 March 3. “It will move us up in the standings where I think we will be respectable, and we will also finish our season with five straight wins.” With Heathcote’s optimism for the possible NIT bid, much of the Spartans’ turnaround has been due to the play of Skiles. “Skiles has played the last three or four games like the old Skiles,” praised Heathcote of his sophomore guard. “I think he is doing a lot of different things, and not trying to do too much. Maybe he is looking for his teammates a little more also.” Yet with the sudden turnaround, which witnessed the five game Spartan winning streak, the Spartans closed the season at 15-13 overall. And even with the strong finish, Michigan State was overlooked by the NIT tourney committee. Included in the streak at the end of the year, were two. final victories on the road at Northwestern and lowa. And while Sidles and his Spartan teammates failed to sneak into the tournament, 1983-84 concluded for Sidles with the same disappointemnt that he encountered throughout the season. Although he has earned several personal awards during his two years at Michigan State, the personal satisfaction has never come for Skiles. “We haven’t won anything,” said Skiles. “Sure we made it into the NIT last year, but we didn’t win it When we win the Big Ten, or something, then I will be happy. “Ever since I have been here, we have just been a mediocre team.” “We just haven’t come together as a team,” said Skiles. “When you look at teams like Purdue and Illinois, what do they have that we don’t? Nothing! On

paper they shouldn’t be in the same league with us. They just beat on us because they play as a team.” And the story of success in the Big Ten continues to be who plays well together, not talent. Still, talent can erase some problems. But not this year in East Lansing. While the Spartans have plummented in the standings, Skiles’s performance also has suffered. “Other teams have put more pressure on me because of last year, but that really hasn’t affected my game. It may have affected my scoring, but I still have to play defense and do my job as a point guard.” With the increased defensive attention, along with receiving several personal awards, Skiles remains to be true to his team. For personal awards is nothing for him unless he’s playing on a

ii -x. .1 ji '1 WBh ® J vK t a....,,. ;-|.IMJ—JUSJU ■? j • | SCOTT SKILES

Sports shorts

Lady Statesmen fourth in regional The William Penn College Lady Statesmen placed fourth In the NCAA Division 111 Central Regional Tournament in Decatur, 111. on March 3-4. The Lady Statesmen dropped two contests in the tournament, one of them to defending national champion North Central College, 67-57. North Central is ranked fifth in the nation this year. William Penn finished the season at 17-11. Maude Packer, former Wawasee High School standout, appeared in seven contests. She averaged 3.1 points and 1.7 rebounds in her varsity performances. Milford wrestlers split two meets Milford Junior High’s wrestling team spilt two recent meets, losing to Syracuse and defeating Wakarusa. Mitch Price, Jason Baker and Ramiro Castro were the only winners against Syracuse. Chris Heckaman, Mitch Price, Eliseo Roa, Dan Dennis, Tim Troup, John Mills, Kendall Galegor and Ramiro Castro won matches in the 54-25 win over Wakarusa. Milford gymnasts win one, split one The Milford Junior High gymnasts defeated Westview 88.1-82.4 and split a meet with Syracuse in recent action. Winners in the Westview meet included Shanna Bushong, Krissy Eisenhour, Tina Clouse and Diane Hoover. Einsenhour also won the all-around competition. Amanda Anderson and Chris Warmoth had second place finishes.

winning Michigan State program. “This season has really been disappointing for me, and for the other players, I’m sure” said Skiles. “The only thing that will save this year for me is if we make it into the NIT. But other than that, I am really looking forward towards next season.” And even though the frustrated sophomore hasn’t seen the joys that should be following a talented team kike the Spartans, he has put together some impressive statistics over his two years in NCAA Division I basketball. Wrapping up his second season with the the Spartans, Skiles has become a prominent fixture in the backcourt. For in his rookie season, he caught the conference by surprise by winning several honors for his play on the court. Voted By media across the

Against Syracuse, Milford won on the beginning level by a score of 90.9-85.8, but Syracuse took the intermediate level by a score of 73.6-63.6 Tina Clouse and Shelly Bushong were the only beginning winners for Milford, taking first on the beam and bars and in tumbling. Krissy Eisenhour was second on the beam and second in tumbling. Chris Warmoth placed second in the floor exercises. On the intermediate level, Saby Vale and Steff Jamiel each took one second place. Jamiel also had three thirdplace finishes. Milford to host gymnastics invitational Milford Junior High School will host a seven-team junior high gymnastics invitational on Saturday, March 17, beginning at 10 a.m. In addition to Milford, teams from West Noble, Westview, Lakeland, Avilla, North Webster and Syracuse will be participating. Gymnasts will compete on the vault, balance beam, uneven bars and in the floor exercise. Ribbons and trophies will be awarded. Sneva is 1983 King of Sports Tom Sneva, the reigning Indianapolis 500 champion, has been named as the “1983 King of Sports” by the International Palace of Sports. According to Chris Scbenkel, Palace of Sports president, Sneva was chosen for his dedication and determination which is an excellent example for young people. Sneva captured his first Indy crown in 1983, defeating Al Unset by 11 seconds. In his 10 appearances at the Indy oval,

Wed., March 14.1984 - THE MAIL-JOURNAL

State of Michigan as the state’s ’ “College Player of the Year”, he s also drew high praise from j coaches around the Big Ten. For ' he later was honored as the “Big 1 Ten’s Freshmen Player of the Year”. But the LaPorte native didn’t stop there. He received Michigan State University’s “Most Valuable Player” award in 1982; was named to the Freshman’s All American First Team squad; and earned the Big Ten Player of the Week award twice in a row. In his most recent basketball season, Skiles was named to the All-Big Ten Honorable Mention” teamn while averaging 15 points a game. But with his double figure point average, he was shooting at a less-than-spectacular 48 percent from the field, he increased his free throw accuracy. Currently Skiles is shooting 82 percent from the stripe this season, and 84 percent during his

Sports Calendar Week Os March 14 To March 21 WEDNESDAY Milford Junior High Gymnastics 3:45 p.m., at North Webster THURSDAY Syracuse Junior High Wrestling 4:30 p.m., at Wakarusa SATURDAY Junior High Gymnastics Invitational 10:00 a.m., at Milford MONDAY > North Webster Music Boosters Basketball x V 6:00 p.m., at North Webster x VJc" Syracuse Junior High Gymnastics SV ' 3:45 p.m., at North Webster / fl $ TUESDAY Milford Junior High Gymnastics 5:00 p.m., at home vs Lakeland

Sneva has been in the top six finishers on six occasions. He received serious burns in a 1975 Indy crash, but was back behind the wheel in three weeks. Upon his induction into the Palace of Sports Hall of Fame, Sneva will be honored with a life-size wax figure in the Palace of Sports Wax Museum. In addition, an oil portrait of Sneva will be hung in the Royal Gallery and a medallion bearing his likeness will be hung over the Fountain of Fame. The Palace of Sports Youth Foundation grants career awards and scholarships to deserving and disadvantaged graduating high school seniors. Attendance up at NBA contests Thanks to increased fan support at Indianapolis, Houston, New York and Dallas, the NBA is enjoying a 2.7 percent rise in attendance this season. Only nine of the 23 franchises have drawn more fans this year than last. However, the few increases have been large enough to raise the average attendance figures from 10,165 in 1982 to 10,444 so far this year. The Pacers, despite owning the worst record in the NBA, have used imaginative promotions to raise their average attendance to 9,830. Last year at this time the Pacers were averaging 4,731 fans. Eleven wrestlers m ISWA meet Eleven local wrestlers competed in an Indiana State Wrestling Association meet at Elkhart Memorial High School on March 11. In the Midget Division, David Andu won the 85-pound class and Brian Baker did not

career. Former Michigan State star Earvin “Magic” Johnson presently holds the schools’ alltime percentage with his .816 mark set from 1977-1979 from the charity stripe. Along with the free throw record being primed to be broken, Skiles is on target to break another mark set by Johnson. During Johnson’s two seasons with the Spartans, he dished out 491 assists, tops among MSU players. Skiles, halfway through his career has handed out 268 assists, placing him fourth on the all-time list. * , But records are not exactly what Skiles came to Michigan State for. He wants a Big Ten Championship and a NCAA berth. Whether Skiles and his Spartan teammates are able to acheive a Big Ten Championship, or not, Skiles has turned out to be one of f the best guards in the conference./r A credit to his hard work, and coachability throughout the years.

place in the 55-pound class. In the Junior Division, Brent Baker was third at 80 pounds and Mike Yoder did not place in the 85-pound class. Brad Gerstner and Josh Lantz captured second places in the Intermediate Division. Tom Mangus, also an intermediate wrestler, was third at 95 pounds. In the Advanced Division, Jeff Dunithan and Lance Lantz won their divisions. Jeff Welborn added a second place at 121 pounds. Don Kauffman competed in the 160.5-pound class, but did not place. There are two ISWA meets scheduled for this weekend. The Duneland Tournament will be held at Chesterton on Saturday. Delta High School, Muncie, will also host a tournament on Saturday. ND slurs ploy tonight in Warsaw A group of Notre Dame football stars will battle members of the Warsaw Community High School faculty tonight in a benefit basketball game for the Palace of Sports. The game is slated for 7 p.m. in the WCHSgym The doors will open at 6 p.m. with members of the Irish team on hand to greet and talk with fans. John and Lewis Carnesale, captains of the Notre Dame wrestling team, will man a “kissing booth.” One highlight of the evening will be a halftime auction of sports equipment and souveniers donated by individuals, teams and sporting goods manufacturers. Among the items up for auction are one of Dick Butkus’ football helmets, a T-shirt autographed by Tom Sneva, pennants autographed by Jim Zorn, Don Shula and Tom Landry, and a stick autographed by Wayne Gretzky. Tickets are 82.50 for adults and 81.50 for students. They may be purchased at the door.

9