Manchester's Weston Hamby attempts to get a shot off against Wabash in the finals of the Oak Hill basketball sectional on Saturday evening. Photo by Eric Christiansen

By Eric Christiansen
echristiansen@nmpaper.com

MIER -- Fifty-two years.

Over five decades of promise and goals in November, only to fall short in March.

The wait is over. Wabash High School has a boys basketball champion again.

The Apaches needed every second of the 32 minutes in the game and finally held the championship trophy high above their heads Saturday, March 2 after defeating Manchester 63-60.
 

By Josh Sigler
jsigler@thepaperofwabash.com

SHARPSVILLE – Northfield’s boys basketball team saw its season come to an end Saturday night in a 64-49 loss to Lafayette Central Catholic in the sectional championship game of Class A Sectional 54 at Tri-Central High School.

The Class A No. 3-ranked Knights (22-4) built a 20-14 lead by the end of the first quarter, and upped their advantage to 31-20 by halftime.

LCC then outscored the Norse (6-18) 19-11 in the third quarter to build a 19-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Northfield stayed within striking distance with 14 steals and outscored LCC 18-15 in the fourth quarter, but ran out of steam in the end.
 

By Eric Christiansen
echristiansen@nmpaper.com

MEIER -- Five players hit double figure scoring, two had career highs, and Manchester scored 90 points for the first time in 20 years in a 90-59 rout of Lewis Cass Friday, March 1 in the semifinals of the Oak Hill Sectional.

“I am so proud of the team tonight,” Manchester coach Mark Underwood said. “They have bought into the fact that if you trust your teammates, are willing to make the extra pass, and be there for the team, you can get more done.”

The Squires used a three-point barrage in the first quarter, hitting five from beyond the arc.

Thane Creager and Brayden Casper each hit 3-pointers, but Cass' Easton Good kept the Kings neck-and-neck scoring their first eight points, tying it at 8-8.
 

Members of the Emmanuel Christian School state champion basketball team are (front row, from left) Japeth Niccum, Jack Niccum, Aaron Necessary, Preston Ritzema; head coach Jeff Miller (back row, from left), Collin Gouvan, Brogan Templin, Levi Hinds, JC Frank, Riley Miller and coach Merrill Templin. Photo provided

Emmanuel Christian School won its fifth straight championship in the Indiana Association of Christian Schools state basketball tourney.

Emmanuel, which entered the season as the No.1 seed, began competition on Friday, Feb. 22.

In the first game Emmanuel played Heritage Hall of Muncie.  This was an easy win with the final score being 58-20.  Preston Ritzema had 14 points, JC Frank 12 points and Jack Niccum 10 points.

Members of the Wabash Apaches basketball team claimed a Three Rivers Conference championship Friday night. Team members include (front row, from left) Joe Leland, Trenton Daughtry, Jesse Allison, Wyatt Davis, Blake Gribben, Dereck Vogel, Bryant Boggs (second row, from left), coach Paul Wright, coach Phil Keefer, Jared Holley, Kallen Kelsheimer, Jasper Walter, Logan Vander Velden, Elijah Vander Velden and coach Matt Daughtry. Photo by Josh Sigler

By Josh Sigler
jsigler@thepaperofwabash.com

Wabash’s boys basketball team defeated Peru 66-43 Friday night to finish off a Three Rivers Conference Championship, the program’s first outright conference title since 1946.

“My dad was born in 1947,” coach Paul Wright said. “I couldn’t believe (how long it’s been). Coach Henry has all of our stats. He does our book, and he told us that. I knew it had been a long time. It’s excellent. I’m glad it’s over. Hopefully we can continue.”
 

Manchester's Kam Lester looks to get around a Whitko defender. Photo by Don Hurd

By Josh Sigler
jsigler@thepaperofwabash.com

Southwood’s boys basketball team defeated Adams Central Monday night 70-45, picking up their seventh win in eight games.

The Knights built a 42-27 lead by the half and never looked back.

Dallas Holmes continued his scoring rampage with 30 points, eight rebounds, seven steals and two blocks.
 

Kelsey Eichenauer (front row, center) will continue her education and golf career at Valparaiso University. Pictured with her when she signed with the university are (front row, from left) her parents Lori Zimmerman and Joel Eichenauer; Manchester girls golf coach Josh Troyer (back row, from left), brother Connor Eichenauer and sister Karly Eichenauer. Photo by Eric Christiansen

By Eric Christiansen
echristiansen@nmpaper.com

NORTH MANCHESTER -- Kelsey Eichenauer is breaking from family tradition.

The Manchester High School senior has two siblings currently attending Manchester University. Both of her parents are also MU alumna, and generations before them.

Instead, Eichenauer will be living a dream to compete at the NCAA Division I level a member of the golf team while she continues her education at Valparaiso University.
 

Northfield’s Kyra Kennedy attempts to get a pass around Marquette Catholic’s Claire Snyder during the Lady Norse’s semi-state game at LaPorte High School on Saturday. Photo by Don Hurd

By Josh Sigler
jsigler@thepaperofwabash.com

LAPORTE – Its game plan working to near perfection through three and a half quarters, Northfield’s girls basketball team found itself down just three, 35-32, with 3:03 to play in Saturday’s Class A North Semistate with Marquette Catholic.

However, Marquette began to wear down the Lady Norse down the stretch, finishing the game on a 12-0 run to take a 47-32 victory led by senior twins Sophia Nolan and Emma Nolan.

“The twins pretty much took over,” Northfield coach Melissa Allen said. “They’re good players.”