The Mail-Journal, Volume 26, Number 44, Milford, Kosciusko County, 16 December 1987 — Page 8
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THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., December 16,1987
Sports
Wawasee comeback short; Tigers win first game
WARSAW — The beat goes on for Wawasee’s boys’ basketball team. Unfortunately, though, it’s become a beat of defeat. The Warriors, struggling since the season’s opening tip, played the same tune Friday evening as Warsaw walked away with a 61-56 Northern Lakes Conference vic'■"’v tory. \ Wawasee, 2-4 overall and 0-2 in the NLC, fell behind early to the previously winless Tigers (1-4 overall and 1-2 in the NLC) and could not fully recover. The Warriors’ poor shooting, partially caused by Warsaw’s aggressive defense, fueled the Tigers’ 17-5 first period advantage. “We thought it was important to play well early,” said Warsaw head coach Al Rhodes, moments after his Tigers edged Wawasee. “Wawasee is a hard working team. We wanted to be alert on defense, move the ball and attack offensively.” Warsaw’s strategy proved beneficial as the Tigers’ first quarter dominance continued until halftime. Although Wawasee played hard, Warsaw outscored Wawasee, 12-10, in the second quarter to take a 29-15 halftime lead. “We didn’t play good defense, especially, inside,” admitted Wawasee’s Gary Goshert about the Wamors pour first half. “I thought we were better than that, defensively, inside.” But the Warriors’ second half play, similar to previous games, looked like a conference contender. The valiant effort, however, fell short as Wawasee dropped the NLC tilt. After a near-standoff in the third quarter, Wawasee nearly snatched victory away from the Tigers in the closing minutes of the game. The Tigers held a 43-28 lead with 6:30 remaining before Matt Dick and Matt Koble went to work — long distance style. Wawasee’s dynamic juniors
Panthers rip Warriors
SYRACUSE — Wawasee’s girls’ varsity basketball team dropped another contest as visiting North Wood outplayed the Warriors en route to its 63-41 Northern Lakes Conference victory Monday evening. The Panthers jumped Out to a 10-4 first period lead and were never headed. Northwood increased its margin with strong second and third quarters before
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LOOKING FOR TWO— Michelle White, 24, attempts a field goal during Wawasee’s 55-36 loss to Mishawaka Saturday afternoon. Wendy Lung led Wawasee with 11 points and eight rebounds. White failed toscore in the game. (Photo by Mark Weinstein)
connected on six-of-eight three point shots in the period, closing the Tigers’ comfortable 15 point lead quickly. Dick and Koble scored 26 of the Warriors’ 30 point fourth period total. With the three-point shot finding the range with uncanny accuracy, the Warriors closed within six points twice in the final minutes. Wawasee could have sliced the lead to four, or three (with a three-pointer) with 1:30 remaining, but failed to capitalize. “It was a very positive second half,” said Goshert after the loss. "We could have folded up the tents, and it looked like we did in the first half. But, the kids kept plugging away and made a game of it.” Clutch free throw shooting down the stretch saved the win for Warsaw. “We were able to concentrate and hit our free throws down the stretch and that was a big key,” said Rhodes. “Rob (Delp), Jason (Zimmerman) and Ty (Woodruff) all hit big free throws.” The key in the early stages was Warsaw's deliberate offensive style. The Tigers took high percentage shots, forcing the Warriors’ hand in the second half. “We had to try to press a little more in the second half,” admitted Goshert. “We wanted to get them out of their methodical offense, they were killing us with the halfcourt game in the first half.” Brandon Creighton, playing his best game of the season, according to Rhodes, dominated the paint. The 6-5 junior finished with 24 points and 11 rebounds — both personal highs. The Tigers’ attack gained additional support as three players scored in double figures. Jason Zimmerman finished the game with 12 points, while Jeff Ander-
Wawasee made a late charge in the fourth. Wawasee scored more points in the final quarter as it did in the first three combined. The Warriors netted 23 points, while limiting the Panthers to 17 in the final eight minutes. Lora Hollar was Wawasee’s scoring star, leading the team with 11 points. Bobi Stookey and Amy Conroy both added eight points.
son and Ty Woodruff both netted 10 points apiece. The Warriors, meanwhile, were led by two reserve players. Dick led the assault, scoring 19 points, dishing out three assists and making two steals. Koble, another reserve, chipped in 13 points and two steals. Brian Rensberger, Wawasee’s most effective starter, scored nine points and grabbed a teamhigh nine rebounds in the loss. Like the final score, Warsaw held the advantage in shooting accuracy. The Tigers canned 20 of 30 two-point shots (67%) and 21 of 34 free throws (62%). Wawasee managed just 13 of 40 two-point shots (33%) and six of eleven from the charity stripe (55%). Wawasee’s only edge in shooting came from long distance — three-point range — where the Warriors sank eight of 14 shots (57%). The Tigers missed on both attempts.
WAWASEE (56) FG 3FG FT TP J.Carey2 0 0 4 D.Atwood 11 0 5 B. Bonnero 0 0 0 F. Steffen 3 0 0 6 B. Rensberger4 0 1 9 M.Dicko 5 4 19 B. Harter 0 0 0 0 M. Koble 3 2 1 13 J.Frasure....o 0 0 0 Totals 13 8 6 56 Team Fouls: 27 WARSAW (61) * FG 3FG FT TP B. 10 0 4 24 J. Anderson..... 4 0 2 10 T.Woodruff 2 0 6 10 * De1p...1 0 3 5 J.Zimmerman...3 0 6 12 D.Jones 0 0 0 0 C. Szymanskio 0 0 0. Totals 20 0 21 61 Team Fouls: 13 Quarter scoring Wawa5ee........5 10 11 30 56 Warsaw...l7 12 11 22 -61 Halftime score: Warsaw 39, Wawasee 15 Preliminary Score: Warsaw 50, Wawasee 29. Officials: Joe Edmonds, Modoc; Don Rosier, Fort Wayne.
Jo Miller, who scored 18 points, was the lone North Wood player reaching the double digit figure. The loss dropped Wawasee’s overall mark to 0-7 and 0-2 in conference play. North Wood is 6-1 and 3-0 in the NLC. Wawasee looks to break its losing skid Saturday afternoon at Northridge. Junior varsity tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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ON TARGET — Matt Dick, 12, takes a first quarter jump shot in Wawasee’s 73-64 loss Saturday to Triton. Dick finished with 19 points while Matt Koble. 14, tallied 15 points. Two Triton defenders hopelessly defend the shot. (Photo by Mark Weinstein)
Cavemen edge Warriors
SYRACUSE — Mishawaka took advantage of Wawasee’s poor shooting — from the perimeter and charity stripe — Saturday as the Cavemen coasted to a 55-36 non-conference girls’ basketball victory. The loss was the Warriors’ sixth consecutive without a win. For the game, Wawasee canned just 10-of-49 shots from the field (20%) and 15-of-32 from the foul line (47%). Mishawaka hit 46% of its shots (17-of-37) and 68% from the charity stripe (21-of-31). The Warriors’ one-of-two shooting from three-point range proved meaningless in the outcome. With Wawasee having troubles
Prominent residents provide Christmas list
Christmas can be the most exciting time of the year. However, Christmas holds different meanings to many area residents. To the school children in Wawasee’s district, it means a vacation. But don’t be naive, though, it means the same thing to the teachers! They may enjoy the holiday — and break from the kids — as much as the kids.
Mark My Words MARK fln WEINSTEIN
Anyway, the last few days I’ve been thinking about some Christmas lists that some prominent people in The Mail-Journal’s readership area could have. You may be surprised to see some of the imaginary lists to Santa. Let’s take a look: The most famous individual, Arch Baumgartner (that’s because he signs my paychecks) listed four area daily newspapers on his Christmas list. I don’t know what he would do with the publications, maybe use the excess paper for bird cage liners. Moving on, Wawasee’s Gary Goshert listed his top wish as a 7-0 freshman transfer student from the Bahamas. The Warriors have had troubles scoring inside the paint this season, but with the new addition, Wawasee could win the state title. Presently, I am in the process
putting the ball in the hole, Mishawaka raced to a 12-6 lead after one quarter. The visitors increased the margin by six, taking a 24-12 halftime lead. It only got worse for Wawasee in the third quarter. The visitors padded their margin opening the second half, hitting seven-of-14 field goals and three-of-four free throws in the period. Wawasee closed the gap by a field goaf, but the outcome was decided before Wawasee’s fast finish. Wendy Lung y/as the Warriors’ top performer, sCoringlTTßHflts and grabbing a team-high eight rebounds. Bobi Stookey scored seven points and pulled down six boards for Wawasee.
of talking with Jim Kessler, Grace College head basketball coach, about bringing a native back from his January trip to Nassau. Goshert wasn’t the only Wawasee coach with a unique Christmas wish. Jerry Minton, sent a requisition to Santa for an indoor track facility. The Warriors’ track and cross country coach is looking to build a dynasty and an indoor facility would enhance his chances. There’s no doubting Minton’s thinking, only the feasibility of the project. Wawasee’s Superintendent, Dr. Roger Thornton, provided the most humorous wish —a Bethel College basketball victory over Grace College. The wish is funny because Bethel (Thornton’s choice for his undergraduate studies) have not beaten the Lancers in several years. However, the wish will undoubtedly be rejected. How could Santa go against one of his favorite teams? If you haven’t noticed, the gift-giving individual wears the colors of the Lancers — an obvious sign of his loyalty to the Winona Lake school. Instead of the initial wish, maybe he’ll give Thornton the pleasure of enjoying another IU winning season — not necessarily a Big Ten championship. Rudy Cesco listed a season full of birdies and eagles as his prime wish. I suspect Cesco is referring to the upcoming golf season, not his love for hunting. Dale Brannock's list is lengthy — he listed 10 items. However, it is not time to divulge his list. Maybe in a few years everyone will know what he wanted. Continuing with the list, Milford residents will be glad to hear the wish of several prominent individuals turning
Goshen, Concord win big weekend games
GOSHEN — Goshen opened the 1987-88 home boys’ basketball season impressively, using Mike Essig’s 24 points to whip previously unbeaten Fairfield, 66-53, Friday evening. The win raised the Redskins’ mark to 3-0, their best start since an 8-0 beginning in 1982. Fairfield dropped to 2-1 with the nonconference loss. The game was close in the early stages with both clubs holding two-point leads. But the Redskins scored 13 unanswered points in the second quarter, erasing an 8-6 deficit, to forge a commanding 19-8 lead with 5:56 remaining in the half. The Falcons were forced to play catch-up basketball but could never seriously threaten in the second half. A Goshen 10-point spurt opening the third quarter sealed the Redskins’ win. Essig was Goshen’s leading scorer, pouring in 24 points and grabbing five rebounds. Scott Beres chipped in with 14 points and seven rebounds for the Redskins. Brian Bechtel paced the Falcons’ attack with 18 points. Lynn Miller scored 16 for Fairfield, while Troy Hochstetler added 12. Vaughn Troyer grabbed ejfehtrebounds in the contest. S.B. ADAMS 61, WARSAW 59 — Bernie Smith’s field goal inside the paint was the game-winner as South Bend Adams edged Warsaw, 61-59. Adams controlled the tempo of the contest until a 17-7 Warsaw spurt in the third quarter brought the Tigers back into the game. The run erased an 11-point Adams lead as both team entered the final period. The Tigers opened the final frame by scoring the first seven points, taking a four-point lead in the process. Adams recovered, and eventually took a one-point lead, 59-58, with 1:08 remaining. Jeff Anderson hit one-of-two free throws for Warsaw to even the score and set up Adams’ game winner. The loss dropped the Tigers to 1-5. NORTHRIDGE 68, WEST NOBLE 41 — A solid Northridge defense forced 17 West Noble second half turnovers Friday as the Raiders breezed past the host Chargers, 68-41, in a nonconference boys’ basketball game. Balanced scoring keyed the Raiders’ second win of the season. Gary Zimmerman led the attack, scoring 27 points and grabbing five rebounds. Mike
Milford Junior High into an extension of Ivy Tech. Many expect Milford’s Junior High students to depart the hometown school for the larger facility to be built between North Webster and Syracuse. The departure of the students would create ample classroom space for the popular college level courses. Wrapping up the wishes, I saw many of Wawasee’s athletes asking for more playing time, less classroom time and shorter school years. Some things never change. □ Time has finally arrived for Brooks Koble to perform at Grace College. The former Wawasee Warrior has overcome a pair of serious injuries (knee and ankle) and a college transfer and will now suit up with the Lancers. BROOKSKOBLE Koble has seen limited playing time this season. In two games, the former Warrior has scored 22 points. His playing time will in-
Baer, a 6-7 senior, netted 11 points and collected eight boards, while Jeremy Yoder added 10 points. CONCORD 65, BREMEN 44 — Concord proved it can win without a healthy Shawn Kemp. The Minutemen turned the trick Friday evening in coasting Bremen, 65-44, in a Northern Lakes Conference game in McCuen Gym. Around the NLC Kemp, playing with flu symptoms, scored nine points, grabbed 10 rebounds in less than 20 minutes of action. Nevertheless, Concord gained contributions the rest of the team to win easily. Characteristically, Bremen played the sixth-rated Minutemen tightly in the first period. An aggressive 2-3 zone helped clog Concord’s inside threat — Kemp — and forcing Jim Hahn’s club to look elsewhere for scoring punch. Jamar Johnson picked up Kemp’s slack, hitting several key fielders from the perimeter, giving Concord an 11-6 first period lead. The Minutemen stretched their lead in every quarter, except the fourth, which was played evenly. Steve Larkin led Concord’s balanced scoring attack with 15 points, while Johnson added 12. Kemp scored nine points, as did Ryan Sumrak. The win raised Concord’s overall record to 5-0 and 3-0 in the Northern Lakes Conference. Bremen fell to 2-2 overall and 0-2 in the NLC. Joe Bennett led the Lions with 12 points and six rebounds. He canned Bremen’s lone threepoint shot. WARSAW 61, WAWASEE 56 — Warsaw used a solid first half performance Friday evening to claim its first win of the season, a 61-56 triumph over Wawasee. The Tigers, 1-5 overall and 1-2 in conference play, led throughout the contest, including a 15-point spread late in the game, but needed clutch free
Wawasee JV's fall
WARSAW — Warsaw Community High School boys’ junior varsity basketball team won its third game of the season Friday evening, dealing Wawasee a 51-29 setback. The Tigers led from the start, outscoring the Warriors 12-4 in the opening stanza. After an evenly played second quarter,
crease as he plays his way into shape. Koble transfered to Grace from Olivet Nazarene last year and sat out the year because of NAIA rules and the knee injury. During pre-season workouts this season, Koble suffered a serious ankle injury, forcing him to the sidelines. The multi-gifted Koble was expected to be out for the season, but the ankle healed more rapidly than expected. Grace is 12-1 at the midpoint of their season. The Lancers are off for two weeks before resuming competition in the Great Bahamas Goombay Shootout, January 1-8. The Lancers’ next home game is Tuesday, Jan. 19, against Bethel College. □ Basketball has become a game of adjustments for Tim Mangas, now a freshman guard for the DePauw Tigers. In DePauw’s seven games this season, Mangas has seen action in three, scoring four points (1.3 ppg) and dishing out one assist. Mangas has logged 11 minutes on the court for DePauw, 5-2. Steve Hollar, a guard on Warsaw’s recent state championship team, has played in seven games, one in a starting role, and scored two points. Brant Bair, another former Warsaw player, has scored four points in two games (2.0 ppg). □ Donald K. O’Connor, a wellrespected basketball official and former coach at Bremen High School, will be honored by the Northern Lakes Conference Friday, Dec. 18, at halftime of Bremen’s NLC contest with Plymouth. O’Connor will receive the Outstanding Service Award from NLC president Larry Pinkerton. O’Connor, a graduate of
throws down the stretch to pick up the win. Warsaw held a 39-26 lead entering the final eight minutes, but torrid three-point shooting by Matt Dick and Matt Koble nearly brought the Warriors back. After a Jason Zimmerman field goal gave the Tigers a 43-28 lead with 6:30 remaining, Dick sank four consecutive three-pointers to cut the hosts lead. Koble added a pair of three-pointers as Wawasee cut Warsaw’s lead to six. But that was as close as the Warriors could come, until Koble’s three-pointer at the buzzer cut the lead to five. Brandon Creighton led Warsaw’s attack with 24 points and 11 rebounds. Zimmerman scored 12 points, while Jeff Anderson and Ty Woodruff each added 10 points. Dick led Wawasee’s attack with 19 points, two steals and three assists. Koble added 13 markers and two steals, while Brian Rensberger played a solid game inside the paint, grabbing nine rebounds to go with his nine points. TVHS 75, NORTHWOOD 67 — Tippecanoe Valley rebounded from an horrendous effort the night before (a 62-43 loss to Whitko) to defeat North Wood, 75-67, in Mentone. Pete Terpstra led the Vikings’ attack with 19 points, while Dustin Dußois added 18 and Dion Anglin, 17. Anglin and Dußois each added nine rebounds to Valley’s cause. North Wood also enjoyed a balanced scoring attack with three players in double figures. Rob Prenkert led the Panthers with 18 points, while Brett Reinhardt and Curt Flickinger both added 12. A cold shooting performance from three-point range cost the Panthers the win. North Wood managed to hit just five-of-21 shots behind the line. North Wood faces Concord Friday evening before exiting NLC play Saturday against Elkhart Central.
Warsaw blew the game open with a 14-2 run in the third period. Wawasee could not recover from the cold-shooting period. Rob Huey led Wawasee’s attack with eight points, while Chris Conkling chipped in six. Brian Elliott scored 15 for the Tigers and Tim Taylor added 10.
Bremen High School, has served 25 years in Bremen’s educational system. He’s coached at the junior high level, six years at the reserve level, seven years as varsity golf coach and 14 years as Bremen’s varsity baseball coach. He will receive a plague and lifetime pass to all Northern Lakes Conference events at the halftime ceremony. □ The basketball season has been very unpredictable, at least for our resident panel members. Only one, Homer Miller, has enjoyed any success this time around. This must be a fluke. You’ll remember that Miller finished last in our football selections. Games on tap this weekend include Wawasee at Columbia City, North Wood at Concord, Plymouth at Bremen, Warsaw at Northridge, West Noble at Goshen, Fairfield at Lakeland, Kansas State at Purdue, Indiana at Louisville, Minnesota (with Kim Zurcher) at Ball State. HOMER MILLER (.741) — Wawasee, Concord, Plymouth, Northridge, Goshen, Fairfield, Kansas State, Louisville, Minnesota. MARK HUFFMAN (.630) — Columbia City, Concord, Plymouth, Northridge, Goshen, Fairfield, Purdue, Indiana, Minnesota. DALE TOBIAS (.630) — Columbia City, North Wood, Plymouth, Warsaw, Goshen, Fairfield, Purdue, Indiana, Minnesota. MARK WEINSTEIN (.593) - Wawasee, Concord, Plymouth, Warsaw, Goshen, Fairfield, Purdue, Louisville, Minnesota. DERK KUHN (.593) — Columbia City, Concord, Plymouth, Northridge, Goshen, Fairfield, Purdue, Louisville, Minnesota.