The Grandstaff-Hentgen team of Ellis Rice, Steve Davis, Jim Finnell, Dave Mechling and Don Wampler earned the top team handicap score. Photo by Josh Sigler.

By The Paper Staff

The Wabash Bowling Association conducted its annual open tournament at Cannonball Lanes from March 18 through March 24.
Nineteen teams of five bowlers, 20 teams of two bowlers in doubles and 39 singles entries combined to bowl a total of 522 games throughout the tournament.
 

By Bill Barrows

While many of you who traveled south in the past 10 days or so went to various parts of the Sunshine State and sent back social media pictures of you basking in the sun on a tropical beach, I chose a different route. My journey took me to my favorite spot in North Carolina where I could play with my younger two grandkids while watching my daughter and her husband turn their attention to yard work and bike riding.

My son-in-law shakes his head every time he watches me work with his son hitting off a batting tee. He cannot understand why the boy is hitting left handed. He is a right-hander. Cameron walked up to the tee last spring left handed, I showed him how to place his feet and how to line up his knuckles (which he was proud to show me that he had not forgotten) and proceeded to swing. Left handed hitting, right handed throwing players are few and far between.
 

By Bill Barrows

I took some time to just stand back and observe the Wabash community last week as the buildup started after the euphoria of Southwood Boys Basketball’s 2 point win over Ft. Wayne Blackhawk Christian.

I was out of town on Saturday and the amount of Tweets, texts, emails and phone calls that I received was special because Wabash County Sports enthusiasts wanted to spread the news that the Knights had won and were heading to the State Final Game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

From 200 miles away, I could feel the emotions of an entire community as the mood went from excitement and celebration to anticipation.
 

By Josh Sigler
jsigler@thepaperofwabash.com

The Bass and Bucks youth archery team had a pair of archers take first place honors in the S3DA Indoor National Championships in Cincinnati, Ohio, on March 8 and 9.

Kirah Klepper took top honors in the elementary female S3DA fixed pins division, while taking fourth overall in her division with a score of 150 points and 19 inner bullseyes, or Xs.

Kaden Meredith was best of his division in the middle school male S3DA fixed pins division, and finished fourth overall in his division with 150 points and 19 Xs as well.

“They did really good at indoor nationals, for Kira and Kaden,” coach Wayne Welch said. “We had an awards ceremony here for them to show them our appreciation for what they’ve done. They’ve been good ambassadors for us everywhere they’ve gone. We’re looking forward to them competing in the outdoor circuit starting here in April. We’re proud as sin of the kids and how good they did.”
 

Dallas Holmes leaps to block a shot of a Morristown Yellow Jacket player during the first half of the IHSAA boys basketball championship game on Saturday. Photo by David Fenker

By Josh Sigler
jsigler@thepaperofwabash.com

INDIANAPOLIS – The Southwood boys basketball has been an offensive juggernaut all season, average 76.8 points per game, the state’s fourth best average.

That went all out the window In Saturday’s Class A state finals with Morristown.

With the Knights  struggling mightily offensively throughout, the Yellow Jackets, jumped ahead with a 13-4 run early in the second quarter never looked back, downing the Knights 89-60 to win the Class A State Championship.

Southwood senior Matt Nose drives to the basket during the morning semifinal of Saturday’s Class A Regional at Frankfort High School. Photo by Josh Sigler

By Josh Sigler
jsigler@thepaperofwabash.com

Southwood’s boys basketball team is heading to the semistate after a dominant performance in Saturday’s Class A Frankfort Regional.

The Class A No. 3-ranked Knights made it look easy, thrashing North Vermillion 80-42 in the morning semifinal before returning later that night to dispatch Seton Catholic 92-57 to claim the program’s first regional title since 2010.
 

Southwood senior Carson Blair looks for room to operate during a game against Lafayette Central Catholic on March 2. Blair has had a memorable season, becoming the county’s all-time leading scorer. Photo by Josh Sigler

By Josh Sigler
jsigler@thepaperofwabash.com

Believe it or not, basketball was not Carson Blair’s first love when it came to sports.

Those who have watched his career trajectory won’t find it that puzzling, but the physical nature of the game of football drew him in before he developed a passion for hoops.

“Then, about second grade I started to like basketball,” Blair said. “I played at the YMCA and got into it then. My dad played and my brother played, so they got me interested in it.”

Blair went on to re-write the record book for the Southwood football program, throwing for an eye-popping 57 touchdowns with just three interceptions as a senior, leading the Knights to a repeat sectional championship.

Turns out he’s not too bad at basketball either, breaking his father’s school scoring record on his team’s way to the the Wabash County Tournament title before breaking the Wabash County all-time scoring record later in the season on senior night. It’s all happening in a season where the team is enjoying success never before paralleled.
 

By Bill Barrows

Almost every week, I have lunch with a few of my cronies. We discuss sports, current events, social issues, maybe politics will rear its ugly head periodically, but it mostly revolves around sports. This time of year, we discuss spring training baseball, NBA basketball, the upcoming NFL draft and the NCAA basketball tourney. The basic rules are: information is essential, statistics are helpful and opinion is welcome but probably will be challenged. It’s always a healthy discussion with a few personal barbs thrown at any deserving participant.