Wabash's wrestling team celebrates winning the Peru Wrestling Sectional on Saturday evening. Photo provided

By Eric Christiansen
echristiansen@nmpaper.com

PERU -- Behind two champions and three runners-up, the Wabash Apache wrestlers won the team title at the Peru Sectional Saturday, Jan. 26.

Manchester and one champion and two runners-up to finish second as a team.

Northfield ended seventh in the team standings, and Southwood was ninth.

Southwood's Alissa Pershing (20) and Makayla Bechtold (5) tie up a Tippecanoe Valley player. Photo by Don Hurd

By Josh Sigler
and Eric Christiansen
news@thepaperofwabash.com

Three girls basketball teams played for the Three Rivers Conference championship Thursday, Jan. 24, Northfield, Manchester and Tippecanoe Valley, all with one loss. When the dust cleared, the two Wabash County teams shared the 2018-19 championship.

Northfield had no trouble at Rochester in a 59-27 win to finish 8-1 in the TRC and 20-2 overall.

At Tippecanoe Valley, Manchester held off a late comeback attempt from the host Vikings for a 43-40 win to share the conference trophy with the Norse.
 

By Josh Sigler
jsigler@thepaperofwabash.com

Wabash’s boys basketball team defeated North Miami Friday night 84-43 to improve to 10-1 on the season.

The Apaches jumped out to a 25-9 lead by the end of the first quarter, and upped that lead to 45-15 by halftime.

Wabash was led by Trenton Daughtry, who finished with 25 points, seven rebounds and eight steals.

Logan Vander Velden added 18 points, four rebounds and three steals. Jasper Walter chipped in 16 points, and Elijah Vander Velden added eight points, four rebounds and three blocks.
 

Emma West, first row middle, will attend and play softball at Taylor University in Upland starting this fall. Pictured are, front, l-r, Melissa West (mother), Emma West, Adam West (father); back, MHS head softball coach Brittany Holmes, Hadley West, Ainsley West, and Taylor University head softball coach Erin Kotlarz. Photo by Eric Christiansen

By Eric Christiansen
echristiansen@nmpaper.com

NORTH MANCHESTER -- Emma West has been playing softball for as long as she can remember.

The Squire senior will continue to make memories on the diamond for the next four years, signing with Taylor University in Upland to play softball.

"I chose Taylor because of the team and the atmosphere," West said. "I love the campus and everything about the School. I like that it's a small school and campus."

West said she began looking at colleges as early as her freshman year of high school, including schools at the Division I level all the way to Division III. She chose an NAIA school, and is looking forward to continuing softball at Taylor.

By Josh Sigler
jsigler@thepaperofwabash.com

The Northfield girls basketball team defeated North Miami on Friday night 46-33, its 12th straight victory.

The Class A, No. 4-ranked Lady Norse improved to 17-2 on the season with the victory.

Northfield jumped out to a 9-2 lead by the end of the first quarter and never looked back.

Addi Baker led the Lady Norse with 11 points, seven rebounds and three steals, and Ariel Dale added nine points, two assists and two steals.
 

Manchester's Kam Lester drives to the basket as Wabash's Blake Gribben and Elijah Vander Velden defend. Photo by Eric Christiansen

By Eric Christiansen
echristiansen@nmpaper.com

NORTH MANCHESTER -- After a close first half, the Wabash boys basketball team turned a 30-24 lead into a 16-point Three Rivers Conference win over Manchester Friday, Jan. 11.

The Apaches starting five scored all of Wabash's second half points, including shooting 16-20 free throws, to run away with the 67-51 win.

“I thought it was a great team win, especially with Logan (Vander Velden) getting into (foul) trouble,” Wabash coach Paul Wright said. “Jared (Holley), Kallen (Kelsheimer) and Blake (Gribben) all came in and tried to make up for Logan.”
 

Northfield senior Ariel Dale (front, center) prepares to sign her letter of intent to continue her education and basketball career at Taylor University. Also looking on are parets Brad (front, left), and Marlea Dale, Taylor assistant coach Natalie Young (back, left), Northfield head coach Melissa Allen, and Taylor head coach Jody Martinez. Photo by Josh Sigler

By Josh Sigler
jsigler@thepaperofwabash.com

Northfield senior Ariel Dale Friday signed a letter of intent to continue her basketball career and education at Taylor University in front of family, teammates and coaches in the Northfield library.

The decision on where to go to college can be a nerve-wracking one for most, but for Dale, the choice was easy.

“Personally, I wanted to go to a Christian school, and Taylor was just all-around a good fit for me,” Dale said. “I love the coaches and their style of basketball. I knew I wanted to study elementary education, so I just saw it as a good fit for me.”
 

Southwood's Jackson Siimons looks to put up a shot around the defense of Wabash's Jasper Walter during Friday night's basketball action. The Apaches won 87-58 to improve to 8-1 on the season. Photo by Josh Sigler

By Josh Sigler
jsigler@thepaperofwabash.com

Led by five players who scored at least eight points, Wabash’s boys basketball team picked up a convincing 87-58 win over host Southwood Friday night, Jan. 4.

The Apaches (8-1) built a 26-13 lead by the end of the first quarter, an took a 46-31 lead into the half. Wabash outscored the Knights 41-27 in the second half.

Dereck Vogel led the Apaches with 21 points, eight rebounds, three steals and three assists. He hit 5-of-10 from 3-point range.
Trenton Daughtry added 19 points, five steals and six assists, and Logan Vander Velden added 15 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.