By Bill Barrows

This is a good time of year to remind ourselves as parents and grandparents that we are supposed to be good role models and mentors to those “whose eyes are upon us”.

While some might think that the practice of good sportsmanship is limited to the athletes and coaches on the field, the fact is that fans play a critical role in sportsmanship.

I recently got a sobering reminder as I watched a basketball game on TV. I made a mindless remark about how one of the teams was playing. My 10 year old grandson looked at me and said, “Grandpa, you can’t say that!’ It wasn’t a vulgar remark, but it wasn’t necessarily a positive one. So I thought long and hard about it and decided to look for guidance for us all.

By Gary Andrews

The Southwood track season got underway Thursday as the Knights traveled to Mississinewa with both teams falling to the Indians.

The girls fell to Mississinewa 50-66.

By Gary Andrews

Several Wabash county track athletes competed in the Hoosier State Games indoor track championships at Purdue Saturday.

Manchester’s Lindsey Dierks placed fourh in the high jump, Colin McNeeley sixth in the 100m and Rae Bedke fourth in the 3200. Wabash’s Juwan Carter was seventh in the 100. Northfield’s boys 4×800 relay team of Austin Andrews, Noah Shear, Mason Zolman and Devin Tracy finished eighth, while the girls team of Brittany Sloan, Karla Singer, Arie Kennedy and Jenna Halderman took fourth. The Southwood girls 4×800 relay team of Haley Heath, Makenna Dawes, Ellie White and Emily Lehner finished fifth. Northfield’s Jenna Halderman took seventh in the 3200.

The Northfield girls distance medley relay team finished 7th.

By Gary Andrews

Five Wabash County players were named to the 2014-15 All Three Rivers Conference girls basketball team.

Earning first team recognition were Arie Kennedy and Payton Thomson of Northfield, Brooke Elliott of Southwood and Clair Cromer and Sarah Puckett of Wabash.

Wabash High School senior Tony Hough (center) prepares to sign a letter to play football and wrestle at Manchester University. He is joined by his parents, Charity Hough and Tony Hough. Also joining in at the event are (back, from left) Wabash principal Josh Blossom, Wabash football coach Floyd McWhirt, Wabash wrestling coach Jake O’Neill, and Wabash Athletic Director Greg Martz. Photo by Gary Andrews 

By Gary Andrews

Wabash senior Tony Hough signed Thursday to wrestle and play football next year at Manchester University

After anchoring the offensive line for the Wabash football team, Hough recorded a 28-9 record in wrestling, winning the Wabash County Invite and the Peru sectional at 182 pounds. Hough finished second at the Peru regional to qualify for the Fort Wayne semi-state.

”Being a two sport athlete in college will be a major challenge,” Hough said. ”It will be tough with the depth Manchester has in both sports. I think I will wrestle at 184 or 195 and play on the defensive line in football with my freshman year being a learning experience. I hope to see major time my sophomore year”.

While at Manchester Hough will study Sports Management.

By Bill Barrows

Here in Wabash County, we have the opportunity to watch four high schools and each have quality sports programs. We also get the chance to observe Manchester University and assorted other college teams from around the area. Today’s media affords us the chance to watch whatever sports teams that our little hearts desire.

It is widely known that I have been a huge Colts fan from the time I was a little boy. Johnny Unitas was my hero. That tells you how old I am. The team was then still very entrenched in the Baltimore community. I have been known to wear one of my authentic UNITAS jerseys on a game day or on an important day in team history.

By Gary Andrews

Wabash senior Claire Cromer and Northfield junior Payton Thomson have been selected to the IBCA/SUBWAY All State teams.

Cromer was selected to the Senior Small School All-State (players from 1A-2A schools), while Thomson made the Underclass Small School All-State (players from 1A-2A schools).

Fifteen seniors and 15 underclass girls’ basketball players have earned IBCA/Subway “Supreme 15″ All-State honors for 2014-15, it was announced Wednesday (March 11).

In a new level of awards, the IBCA also named 30 Large School All-State players (15 seniors, 15 underclass) and 30 Small School All-State players (15 seniors, 15 underclass).

Chase Fierstos goes up for two his his game-high 32 points in the championship game against Oak Hill. Photo by Eric Christiansen

By Eric Christiansen

Two teams with nearly identical records, Manchester (17-7) and Oak Hill (17-6), clashed in the championship game of the Oak Hill Boys' Basketball Sectional Saturday night. The game saw nine lead changes, 14 ties and two extra periods of play. Oak Hill's biggest lead of the game was six points, while Manchester's largest advantage was five. In the end, it was Oak Hill who emerged as sectional champions with a 67-63 double overtime win over the Squires.

"This was a great game to be a part of," Manchester coach Eric Thompson said. "It's too bad we had to end up on this side of it."