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City by the Lake.org, The Voice of Michigan City, Indiana _ City Sports _ Michigan City Basketball
Posted by: Johnny Rush Nov 18 2008, 02:34 PM
You know how when some TV series have successful first seasons, they try to figure out how to boost ratings that much more...and they start importing the stars? Well, guess who we talked into doing a handful of games for us this year? This will be released to the media tommorrow morning.
to Broadcast Entire Michigan City Wolves Basketball Schedule
The season begins with a live broadcast from the Wolf Den as the Wolves host Michigan City Marquette on November 26th
radio has added citybythelake.org founder Michael Gresham to the broadcast team that was nominated for the Indiana Broadcaster Association’s Spectrum Award for excellence in Sports Broadcasting.
Michigan City, IN- November 19, 2008- Adam Parkhouse will, once again, join Matt Werkema or Michael Gresham in broadcasting the entire basketball schedule of the Michigan City Wolves live on AM The season begins with a broadcast starting at 7pm from the Wolf Den as the Wolves host Michigan City Marquette, andwill cover all of the games and provide interviews and highlights throughout the week.
The basketball broadcast will be produced and broadcast locally without the use of a third party. General Manager and morning personality Ric Federighi pointed out that "The listener feedback to the Michigan City football schedule was phenomenal, so we decided to do the same thing for basketball." He added "Focusing on one team, throughout the season, really lets the audience get to know the players and it really shines a light on the local student athletes, it’s your local team on your local station, ."
The sports broadcast team of Adam Parkhouse and Matt Werkema received a nomination from the Indiana Broadcasters Association for their football broadcasting last year. radio was honored to receive two Spectrum Awards from the Indiana Broadcasters Association, one for Community Involvement and one for “Mornings with Ric Federighi”. adio also offers live streaming of the games a so that friends and family of our local student athletes that have left the area can follow along all season long.
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Posted by: southsider2k7 Nov 18 2008, 03:00 PM
I am so excited to be on board, even if it is just for five games or so. Some of the greatest times in my life were as a broadcaster of Manchester boys High School, and Manchester College womens college, basketball. I am honored to be jumping behind the mic to call the shots for my hometown basketball team for the first time in my life. The only way it could mean more is if it were the Elston Red Devils taking the floor, but being a color guy for the Michigan City Wolves is a huge privilege! I can't wait for opening night against Marquette.
Posted by: MC Born & Raised Nov 18 2008, 03:16 PM
Ditto for me. Should be a lot of fun. I really enjoy broadcasting and majored in it for a while in college. So this helps me scratch an itch that was an irritant for a while. Football was a good time and we got a lot of positive feedback so hopefully basketball is as positive an experience.
Posted by: eric.hanke Nov 18 2008, 04:00 PM
I look forward to the coverage.
How does one purchase season tickets?
Posted by: MC Born & Raised Nov 18 2008, 08:50 PM
I look forward to the coverage.
How does one purchase season tickets?
The high school athletic department (873-2043) has them on sale during school hours.
Posted by: eric.hanke Nov 18 2008, 08:51 PM
The high school athletic department (873-2043) has them on sale during school hours.
Thanks! Will call tomorrow...
Posted by: JHeath Nov 18 2008, 10:14 PM
I am so excited to be on board, even if it is just for five games or so. Some of the greatest times in my life were as a broadcaster of Manchester boys High School, and Manchester College womens college, basketball. I am honored to be jumping behind the mic to call the shots for my hometown basketball team for the first time in my life. The only way it could mean more is if it were the Elston Red Devils taking the floor, but being a color guy for the Michigan City Wolves is a huge privilege! I can't wait for opening night against Marquette.
S'Sider, you'll be a fantastic addition to the team. Congrats! Can't wait to hear you on the air.
Posted by: southsider2k7 Nov 19 2008, 07:25 AM
Thanks! Will call tomorrow...
Let me know what the cost is if you would be so kind!
Posted by: eric.hanke Nov 19 2008, 01:29 PM
Let me know what the cost is if you would be so kind!
Student Season Pass for all sports $25.00
Adult Season Pass for all winter sports $25.00
My youngest son (5 years old) is free
There is a scrimmage tomorrow night (11/20/08) at 6:30PM. They may have a person selling season passes. I am waiting for confirmation from Debbie at the MCHS Athletic Office.
Posted by: southsider2k7 Nov 19 2008, 01:33 PM
Student Season Pass for all sports $25.00
Adult Season Pass for all winter sports $25.00
My youngest son (5 years old) is free
There is a scrimmage tomorrow night (11/20/08) at 6:30PM. They may have a person selling season passes. I am waiting for confirmation from Debbie at the MCHS Athletic Office.
Interesting. I may have to try to get out there after the kids go to bed and do a little scouting.
Posted by: eric.hanke Nov 19 2008, 01:34 PM
Interesting. I may have to try to get out there after the kids go to bed and do a little scouting.
Maybe I will see you there.
Posted by: southsider2k7 Nov 21 2008, 07:37 AM
Well I did go up and observe most of the scrimmage last night at the Wolf Den.
The first thing that really stands out is they are a small team. They are going to run a small line up of essentially 3 guards and 2 forwards out there. City lacks the classic big man, or even a big bruiser posing as a big man.
The guard play on the other hand is going to carry this team. Junior Adam Harmon looks to be the main PG, and is a calming influence on the team with the ball in his hands. He also has a quick first step to the basket and a nice jumper from 3 point range in. Junior guards Arias Clark and Bryan Allen got most of the rest of the playing time. With a true Freshman in Carlos McCormick and Sophomore Shereff Knight getting a lot of playing time in the scrimmage as well. I don't know how much McCormick and Knight will play this year, but both are explosive guys who look to need to bulk up a bit. They both make the future look bright in the backcourt.
The front line is going to be much more challenged in the DAC. Their center is mainstay senior Nathan Scully. He has a pretty nice post game and works the boards hard. Fellow senior Brandon Pawloski while the brawniest guy on the team, is more a perimeter player, looking to get his shots at the three point stripe off of the screen in the middle and pop to the arc. Senior Darrell Hopkins is the tallest player on the team at 6'6" but is still more a rangy forward, with nice hops around the basket. The front line is rounded out by Serior DaQuavay Sherrod, who looks to be manning the 3 spot when he is on the floor, junior Will Razor, and senior Darrell Hopkins and James Sanders, a sophomore.
With a real quick, and highly unscientific look at this squad last night in a scrimmage against Andrian that included some custom rules allowing the coaches the flexibility to run what was essentially a open practice, it looks to me like this City team is going to have to win with their guard play, and their quickness. At pretty much every position on the floor, the Wolves are going to have a speed and athleticism advantage, while having a size and strength disadvantage. They are going to have to win with pressure defense, hands in the passing lanes, three point shooting, and smart decision-making. Based off of the little bit I saw, I could see this squad being a 13-7 or 12-8 team, and making some long nights for rivals in the DAC.
Posted by: Roger Kaputnik Nov 21 2008, 08:02 AM
How is LP loooking? That is usually the Big Game of the season, and I hope this year repeats what happened last year.
Posted by: southsider2k7 Nov 21 2008, 08:12 AM
Not a clue. The only thing I saw was the scrimmage.
Posted by: Roger Kaputnik Nov 21 2008, 08:23 AM
Howsabout it , MCborn?
Posted by: southsider2k7 Nov 24 2008, 12:53 PM
REMINDER! The opening game of the season is Wednesday nite! Yours truely and Adam Parkhouse will be on the call from the Wolves Den with a 7:30 pm tip off against Marquette. BE THERE!
Posted by: Roger Kaputnik Nov 24 2008, 01:26 PM
I would be SHOCKED if there is any available seat in the gym Wednesday night.
Posted by: southsider2k7 Nov 24 2008, 01:51 PM
I would be SHOCKED if there is any available seat in the gym Wednesday night.
Unless they do not open the top section of the arena anymore, there will be thousands of seats available.
Posted by: MC Born & Raised Nov 24 2008, 02:35 PM
I would be SHOCKED if there is any available seat in the gym Wednesday night.
Unfortunately, there will be PLENTY of available seats. As was already said,they barely open up the top anymore. The only time you'll see that gym filled is during regional.
As for LP, we'll see. They have some good athletes and have a chance to be pretty good. I've always thought they're among the best-coached teams in this or any other area, so that's always good for a few extra wins.
Posted by: Ang Nov 24 2008, 05:05 PM
This was my favorite time of year when I worked at MCHS!! SSder, you are going to have a blast! I'm so excited for you.
And if you run into Marsha who works with tickets (petite blonde with VERY blue eyes!) tell her Hello for me and to write.
Posted by: Roger Kaputnik Nov 25 2008, 08:30 AM
This should be good! Go, Mike & WIMS! By the way, did you notice that they introduce you as Mike G. from CBTL on the radio?
Posted by: southsider2k7 Nov 25 2008, 09:20 AM
This should be good! Go, Mike & WIMS! By the way, did you notice that they introduce you as Mike G. from CBTL on the radio?
Unfortunately the streamer for WIMS is blocked at work, so I haven't gotten to hear!
Posted by: Roger Kaputnik Nov 25 2008, 09:22 AM
What did Freddy Ricky say to get blocked???
Posted by: JHeath Nov 25 2008, 04:46 PM
This should be good! Go, Mike & WIMS! By the way, did you notice that they introduce you as Mike G. from CBTL on the radio?
I noticed it.
Posted by: southsider2k7 Nov 26 2008, 07:44 AM
What did Freddy Ricky say to get blocked???
Almost all streaming media is blocked. We need the bandwidth.
Posted by: southsider2k7 Nov 26 2008, 02:29 PM
Back to the original topic...
Tonight is the season opener! 7:30 tip off, myself and Adam Parkhouse on the call. 1420 AM or WIMSradio.com if you can't tune it in!
Posted by: Homey Nov 26 2008, 05:38 PM
Back to the original topic...
Tonight is the season opener! 7:30 tip off, myself and Adam Parkhouse on the call. 1420 AM or WIMSradio.com if you can't tune it in!
I was in high school...Elston as a matter of fact when we had basketball fever. I wish we could turn back the hands of time to restore some of the excitement we had during that time. What a great time to be in high school and what a team we had in the late 60's. Brings back wonderful memories
Posted by: eric.hanke Nov 26 2008, 08:47 PM
Not able to attend the game. Mike and Adam are doing an excellent job on AM 1420 WIMS.
If you can't attend the game and want to listen to local coverage online. Head on over to The Talk of the South Shore AM 1420 WIMS RADIO
http://www.wimsradio.com/
Posted by: JHeath Nov 26 2008, 09:51 PM
Great job tonight, Mike & Adam. You two make a great team.
Posted by: eric.hanke Nov 26 2008, 09:53 PM
What was the final score? Once the game ended WIMS coverage ended, almost immediately...
Posted by: Johnny Rush Nov 26 2008, 10:23 PM
AMAZING job by Mike tonight...I cannot thank you enough. It's the hardest thing to just walk in off the street after a decade of not doing games, introduce yourself to your on air partner and just deliver like that. I was expecting stutters, stammers, people talking over each other...really dug the broadcast.
The final score was Wolves 74 Blazers 38.
We had plenty of calls and emails from the southsider fan club, so we are jumpin' up the replay and will put it on for a 9am Thanksgiving broadcast, as well as the usual 10am Sunday broadcast.
Is there a market for a post-game show? We have experimented with it in the past...if enough people want to call in and talk Wolves...we can keep the show going on game nights. We can't stay too late with the broadcast team, since Adam has to talk to the coaches and players and write his stories for the News Dispatch. Send me an email rush@wimsradio.com if you are willing to be a semi-regular caller to a local post game show...
Posted by: eric.hanke Nov 27 2008, 08:41 AM
QUOTE(Johnny Rush @ Nov 26 2008, 10:23 PM)
AMAZING job by Mike tonight...I cannot thank you enough. It's the hardest thing to just walk in off the street after a decade of not doing games, introduce yourself to your on air partner and just deliver like that. I was expecting stutters, stammers, people talking over each other...really dug the broadcast.
The final score was Wolves 74 Blazers 38.
We had plenty of calls and emails from the southsider fan club, so we are jumpin' up the replay and will put it on for a 9am Thanksgiving broadcast, as well as the usual 10am Sunday broadcast.
Is there a market for a post-game show? We have experimented with it in the past...if enough people want to call in and talk Wolves...we can keep the show going on game nights. We can't stay too late with the broadcast team, since Adam has to talk to the coaches and players and write his stories for the News Dispatch. Send me an email rush@wimsradio.com if you are willing to be a semi-regular caller to a local post game show...
I can't agree more. Mike "owned" the broadcast last night. Mike is a natural sports announcer and on air radio personality. There were very few blunders; my only criticism would be the hand off to the station for commercials and station identification.
The post game show could include a "player of the game” where a local establishment can donate cash, services, or a gift certificate as the sponsor. The sponsor would also donate money to a scholarship fund that would be given to a senior player or the booster club for their scholarship fund at the conclusion of the year/season.
Not sure if it is technically possible, but why not try to get a coach or player on the air following the game?
Posted by: southsider2k7 Nov 27 2008, 08:46 AM
Well I am glad everyone really enjoyed it. I think I had as much fun as anyone else did. The game went really well and I can't wait to hear a replay to get a first hand listen to how it all sounded. The broadcast itself was surprisingly smooth as it had been a few years since I was lucky enough to sit behind the mic and call a game. It was a special night for me, one I will never forget. I can't wait to do it again!
Thanks again everyone!
As for a post game show, let us know what everyone thinks. If you all want to hear a little bit more post game analysis, I know I can stick around for a while to recap.
Posted by: Ang Nov 27 2008, 10:28 AM
I was a guest on air once. It was a lot of fun. Adam and I talked about different "fun" nights I put together for BB games. It was my effort to get more people to come to the games. I think it was working, too. I noticed that our ticket sales were slowly climbing despite the team not winning games.
But, alas, the people on Carrol Ave had other plans for us.....
Posted by: Roger Kaputnik Nov 28 2008, 09:01 AM
SSider, I heard the rebroadcast on Thursday, and you did a SPECTACULAR job! Hearing you describe the action, I was THERE! And you know that is your job doing play-by-play. Ric got a text from me urging him and you to find a way for you to do more games. Very impressive! You and Adam worked well together, I got the game, and I got some bball talk. What was missing? Bupkis!
Posted by: southsider2k7 Nov 28 2008, 01:09 PM
Well I am glad everyone really enjoyed it. I think I had as much fun as anyone else did. The game went really well and I can't wait to hear a replay to get a first hand listen to how it all sounded. The broadcast itself was surprisingly smooth as it had been a few years since I was lucky enough to sit behind the mic and call a game. It was a special night for me, one I will never forget. I can't wait to do it again!
Thanks again everyone!
As for a post game show, let us know what everyone thinks. If you all want to hear a little bit more post game analysis, I know I can stick around for a while to recap.
After catching the Thanksgiving day replay, I have to say I am thrilled with the way the broadcast went. Adam Parkhouse does a spectacular job and is really easy to work with. He picked up on every cue and pause and had a great thought ready to fit into whatever time frame got thrown at him. He made my life really easy, and helped the broadcast sound very good. After not donned a headset since the 1996 Huntington Regionals, I don't have a complaint in the world. There are a couple of little things I want to work on, but the show gets a biased A+ from me.
And to all who go to the games, stop by the Northeast corner of the Wolf Pack Gym and say hi before the games, early on in halftime, or after the games!
Posted by: southsider2k7 Nov 28 2008, 04:17 PM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=19266
Wolves maintain their dominance of the Blazers
Adam Parkhouse
The News-Dispatch
MICHIGAN CITY - Michigan City resumed its boys basketball "rivalry" with Marquette on Wednesday and the Wolves' superior speed and athleticism made this one-sided series remain just that.
The Wolves pressured the Blazers into 32 turnovers and just 25 percent shooting on the way to a 74-38 victory, the biggest winning margin in the history of the series.
"One goal was to hold them under 40, and we did that," City coach Bob Buscher said. "But we had too many turnovers and we didn't do time-score well at all. That's something the kids have got to understand.
"But a win is a win."
This was the sixth meeting between the schools since the consolidation to form MCHS, and the Wolves have won each of those meetings, the last coming to open the 2002-03 season.
This was an important game for the Wolves, though, who needed to prove they could overcome the losses of a talented senior class to graduation.
The most key cog in City's "rebuilding" project may be 6-foot-6 senior Darrell Hopkins, who had an incredible debut. He scored 15 points to go along with 20 rebounds, controlling the glass on both sides of the floor.
"Darrell was big on the boards," Buscher said.
In the opening minutes Marquette actually had a lead, but the Wolves' defense would force 10 turnovers by quarter's end and two baskets each from Hopkins, DaQuvay Sherrod and Brandon Pawloski gave the Wolves a 17-5 lead after one quarter.
City couldn't shake off Marquette in the second quarter, extending the margin by just two heading into halftime at 32-18. In the first half, City's half-court execution struggled and the Wolves piled up 14 turnovers while shooting 7-of-17 from the free-throw line, much worse if Pawloski's 3-for-3 is taken away.
But City began to put the game away to begin the third quarter, going on a quick 8-0 run that included 3-pointers from Sherrod and Pawloski. Pawloski went on to score a game-high 20 points, while Sherrod was just behind that with 19 points and seven rebounds.
"I'm thinking, gee, they're only down by 14 points and can get back in this game," Buscher said of how felt going into the half. "(Pawloski) had a good all-around game. He's probably our most consistent outside shooting threat."
City led by 19 going into the fourth and outscored Marquette 24-7 in the fourth as the Blazers shot just 2-of-17 from the field.
"There were a lot of good positives," Marquette coach Jason Hawkins said. "We know what we're capable of, (City) was just the better team today. They played pretty well."
Hawkins may be of that opinion, but Buscher knows his team has plenty to improve on to be competitive in the Duneland Conference. The Wolves open up play in the DAC in their next game, Dec. 5, at home against Portage.
"I felt like we had some really good practices and the attitude has really improved," Buscher said. "What upsets me is that we had to come out in our first game and show as many things as we did."
Hawkins, even in the blowout loss, saw some positives for his team moving forward.
"We saw some people that can play together," Hawkins said. "That's a start, especially when you lose so many people."
Notes: City won the junior varsity game 79-20, ending the game on an 18-0 run. Four Wolves scored in double figures: Sam Bellamy (18), Steven Ray (14), James Sanders (13) and Grady Byrnes (11). ... Sophomore Shereff Knight, expected to shoulder a big load this season, couldn't stay on the floor with foul trouble. He didn't score and missed both of his field goal attempts. ... Marquette's J.J. Lutz led the Blazers in scoring, earning all 11 of his points in the first half. He also tied Pat Dabkowski with a team-high seven rebounds.
Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.
Posted by: JHeath Dec 1 2008, 11:41 AM
After catching the Thanksgiving day replay, I have to say I am thrilled with the way the broadcast went. Adam Parkhouse does a spectacular job and is really easy to work with. He picked up on every cue and pause and had a great thought ready to fit into whatever time frame got thrown at him. He made my life really easy, and helped the broadcast sound very good. After not donned a headset since the 1996 Huntington Regionals, I don't have a complaint in the world. There are a couple of little things I want to work on, but the show gets a biased A+ from me.
And to all who go to the games, stop by the Northeast corner of the Wolf Pack Gym and say hi before the games, early on in halftime, or after the games!
Heard about you again on WIMS this morning, SSider. Ric said you were "stellar". Great job!
Posted by: JHeath Dec 2 2008, 01:53 PM
Apparently, Nick Dettman either forgot or doesn't realize that Adam Parkhouse is a part of the WIMS broadcasting team for MC Boys Basketball...all season long, both home and away games. (Read the 3rd line of the article for an explanation.) Should we send a letter or 3 to the News-Dispatch, just as a reminder?
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=19353
HOME TESTING
City opens DAC slate at Wolves Den against Portage
Nick Dettmann
The News-Dispatch
Michigan City coach Bob Buscher and the Wolves want to start the conference season on the right paw.
Especially at home.
The Wolves will host Portage at 6 p.m. in the Duneland Conference opener for both teams. The game will be broadcast by 95.9 WEFM.
"To do well in this conference," Buscher said, "you've got to win your home games."
So far, the Wolves did well in at least protecting the home floor against nonconference foes last week against Marquette.
In the first meeting between the two intracity rivals since 2002, the Wolves dominated en route to a 74-38 victory.
Senior Darrell Hopkins had a big night for the Wolves, scoring 15 points and grabbing 20 rebounds.
It was the first time since that Marquette game of 2002 in which City won its season opener.
But that game is history. In front of them are the Portage Indians.
Portage, under the direction of second-year coach Rick Snodgrass, went 7-14 a year ago, and enter this week with a 1-1 record. The Indians beat Highland to begin the season, then lost to Gary West on Saturday.
Buscher was in attendance for Saturday's game.
"I think they're more athletic this year," Buscher said. "... They're going to be an improved team."
He added the Indians' size may give the Wolves troubles. The Indians have nearly a half-dozen players at least 6-foot-2.
Rebounding is a concern for the Wolves. But their overall quickness might offset that.
"We must block out on the boards," Buscher said. "We have to stay active on the glass."
One thing Buscher wants to emphasize with his players is being a tough defensive team. They answered the call against Marquette, forcing 32 turnovers, and Marquette shot just 25 percent from the field.
Recent series history is heavily in City's favor.
The Wolves have won 21 of the past 27 meetings, including seven straight, last losing Feb. 10, 2005 at Portage. City has won three straight at home against Portage as well.
La Porte (0-2): at Crown Point 6 p.m. Friday
After a pair of road games in South Bend to start the year, the Slicers will have one more road game before playing their first home game.
On Friday, they'll play at DAC foe Crown Point. It is the first of five straight DAC games for the Slicers.
Crown Point enters 1-0 after blowing out Hanover Central, 62-35, on Saturday night.
The Bulldogs have won 13 of the past 20 meetings, between these two teams, including three straight. The Bulldogs won both meetings last year by at least 20 points.
Chesterton (0-1): vs. Hammond Gavit, 6 p.m. Wednesday; at Merrillville, 6 p.m. Saturday
For the first time since the 1975-76 season, Chesterton will play Hammond Gavit. Chesterton won 56-55.
Hammond Gavit's season gets underway with this game, but Chesterton will look to rebound after losing to Mishawaka on Saturday, 58-52. Mitch McGary provided a bright spot for the Trojans, scoring 20 points in the losing effort.
Then on Saturday, the Trojans travel to Merrillville for the DAC opener. Last time at Merrillville, the Pirates thwarted the Trojans' quest for a perfect season. Chesterton entered that game last February, 16-0, before the Pirates won, 60-54.
It will be the first of seven straight DAC games for the Trojans.
New Prairie (1-1): at Mishawaka Marian, 5 p.m. Friday
The Cougars lost a close game last week to South Bend St. Joseph's, 53-46.
They hope to rebound this week with Mishawaka Marian, who enters 0-1. The Knights lost its season opener to 66-48 to Goshen last Tuesday.
Mishawaka has dominated recent gatherings between these two teams, winning 11 of the past 14 contests, including a narrow, 47-46, victory last season.
Marquette (0-1): vs. Whiting, 6 p.m. Saturday
The Blazers are hoping they can rebound from a 26-point loss to Michigan City last week with two games this week.
They will play Whiting at 6 p.m. Saturday after playing at Westville on Thursday.
The Blazers were thoroughly dominated in that game against their rivals. Hopefully seeing Whiting will put that loss behind them.
Whiting enters 1-1 after beating Washington Township to begin the year, and lost to Hammond Clark on Friday. The victory over Washington Township was the Oilers' first in 24 games, dating back to Feb. 17, 2007. The Oilers are 3-40 since the beginning of the 2006-07 season.
Marquette has dominated this series of late, winning 13 of the past 16 games, including a 15-point victory last season.
South Central: at Morgan Twp., 5:30 tonight
The Satellites wil finally get their season underway tonight when they travel to Morgan Township.
The Cherokees enter 0-1 after losing to Knox, 57-43, on Saturday. But already this game has some major implications, it's a Porter County Conference game. In fact, the Satellites, who went 13-10 last year, will play three of their first four games against PCC teams.
Morgan Township holds a tight edge in recent series history, going 9-8 in the past 17 meetings, including winning last season's matchup, 41-32.
Westville (1-1): vs. Marquette, 5:30 p.m. Thursday; at North White, 5 p.m. Saturday
The Blackhawks will play two games in three nights, beginning Thursday when they host Marquette.
Westville picked up its first victory of the season Friday night against LaVille.
Recently, Marquette has had the upper hand against Westville, winning 15 of the past 22 meetings, including a 21-point victory Nov. 29, 2007.
Then on Saturday, Westville travels to play the Vikings, who are 0-1 after a 56-35 loss to Attica last Tuesday.
North White went 4-18 last season will have a game against Winamac on Friday before playing the Blackhawks.
Westville fell victim to North White last season, losing 55-49, accounting for the Vikings' second victory of the season. That also ended Westville's four-game win streak against the Vikings.
La Crosse (2-0): at Culver, 5:30 p.m. Friday
The Tigers are off to a good start, just like their 7-2 start of a year ago. But can they maintain it?
They will take on Culver on Friday, where the Tigers hold a distinctive advantage, winning 11 of the past 15 games.
The Tigers have also won each of their past five November games. Unfortunately, this is December where they are 5-7 over the past two seasons.
La Lumiere (0-3): at Covenant Christian, 7 tonight; vs. Trinity, 6 p.m. Friday
The Lakers will try to get into the win column with a pair of games against Covenant Christian and Trinity this week. Friday's game against Trinity will be the home opener for the Lakers.
River Valley: at Michigan Lutheran, 5 p.m. Thursday
The Mustangs will have a scrimmage against Michigan Lutheran. Their season begins Monday at Decatur.
Posted by: southsider2k7 Dec 2 2008, 01:59 PM
It would be a great start to get out of the gate 2-0 and win their first game in the DAC.
Posted by: southsider2k7 Dec 2 2008, 02:21 PM
Two notes of FWIW, WIMS is broadcasting the game with their regular team of Adam and Matt. Also the game is not tonight, which isn't really made clear in the article, it is Friday nite.
Posted by: southsider2k7 Dec 5 2008, 07:31 AM
Tonight is the next game... 7:30 tip off versus Portage, first DAC game of the year. Matt and Adam on the call!
Posted by: Roger Kaputnik Dec 5 2008, 07:59 AM
Like I said on the radio, they did a good job on the football games, they should be with the bball. What other games are you doing, SSider?
Posted by: southsider2k7 Dec 5 2008, 08:04 AM
Like I said on the radio, they did a good job on the football games, they should be with the bball. What other games are you doing, SSider?
I am set to do a total of 5 games this year. Next up for me are Dec 13 vs NP, Dec 16 vs MER, and Dec 23 vs LP.
FYI, the Dec 13 games are a Girls and Boys varsity back to back night. So if you have been wanted to see the girls team in action, as well as the boys, that is the night!.
Posted by: southsider2k7 Dec 5 2008, 10:06 PM
Wolves beat Portage 64-61 in a thriller.
Posted by: eric.hanke Dec 5 2008, 10:09 PM
Wolves beat Portage 64-61 in a thriller.
For being up by 10+ at the end of the first quarter and looking strong, it sure was a close game.
We purchased season tickets this year and plan on attending as many of the home games possible.
Posted by: southsider2k7 Dec 6 2008, 09:44 AM
For being up by 10+ at the end of the first quarter and looking strong, it sure was a close game.
We purchased season tickets this year and plan on attending as many of the home games possible.
Foul trouble really made them change their game, and they could never get back to the style of play that got them the early lead. They adapted well in the 4th quarter.
Posted by: southsider2k7 Dec 8 2008, 12:02 PM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=19488&TM=47575.86
Adam Parkhouse
The News-Dispatch
MICHIGAN CITY - Michigan City boys basketball coach Bob Buscher is pretty confident his team would have lost this game last season.
After building a big early lead in the Duneland Conference opener, the Wolves found themselves in a severe foul trouble and eventually surrendered the advantage.
But, showing remarkable poise under pressure and determination, the Wolves played a terrific fourth quarter and held on for a 64-61 win over Portage on Friday at the Wolves Den.
"As a group we're playing hard," said Buscher, whose team improved to 2-0 to start the season for the first time since 2002-03. "If we play hard and we're unselfish then ... well, it's only the second game."
City, using its aggressive, full-court defensive pressure went on an 8-0 run to start the game and eventually led 15-4, controlling the tempo on both sides of the floor and forcing the Indians (1-2, 0-1 DAC) to play faster than they wanted to.
But the Wolves would quickly get into foul trouble. By half's end, three players had three fouls and Portage stayed in the game by making 10 of 12 first-half free throws.
"And we were playing so well, too," Buscher said, lamenting his team's fouls situation. "We have to be able to play that kind of game yet not foul."
A jumper from Aaron Ciesielski saw City's lead cut down to two with 2:09 left in the first half, but City would take a four-point lead into the halftime locker room.
The third quarter belonged to Portage. City's foul trouble forced it to play almost exclusively half-court defense, and the Indians made the Wolves pay. Ciesielski gave his team its first lead of the game on a drive into the lane with 6:23 left in the third and that lead pushed out to six with 1:19 left on Luke Wheeler's 3-pointer, making it 49-43 Portage.
With 4:52 left in the game, just moments after Portage' Steve Perry completed an old-fashioned three-point play, City senior Darrell Hopkins had one of his own to keep the deficit manageable at 54-52.
Hopkins, who had 15 points and 20 rebounds in last week's season-opening win over Marquette, had another big night, scoring a game-high 22 points to go with nine rebounds.
"Darrell is coming along. He's just a warrior," Buscher said.
Hopkins split a pair of free throws a moment later but Adam Harmon hit a clutch layup in traffic to give the Wolves the lead back for good at 55-54 with 3:11 to play.
Hopkins, on a terrific feed from Brandon Pawloski, converted another old-fashiong three-point play with 2:21 left, giving the Wolves a two-possession lead at 58-54.
City led 59-56 when Portage's Damonte Lowery scored and was fouled, giving him a chance to tie the score with a free throw. He missed and Pawloski secured the rebound before getting tied up for a jump ball, giving City possession with the arrow.
Pawloski then came down had hit an 18-foot jumper to push the lead back out to three with 38 seconds left. The City senior then split a pair of free throws with 15.4 seconds left.
Lowery came down and drained a trey for Portage, making the score 62-61. Pawloski took the inbound and was immediately fouled. This time, he made both freebies, pushing the lead back to three.
With a foul to give, Harmon alertly allowed Dominique Walton to dribble down court before fouling him with one second left. Portage turned the ball over on the inbound pass, giving City the gutsy win.
"I thought we outplayed them after the first quarter," Portage coach Rick Snodgrass said. "We just didn't make the plays when we needed to."
Buscher was pleased with his team's progression, comparing this win to several games his team dropped in similar fashion a year ago.
"We would have lost this last year," Buscher said. "But, you look at last year, I was new and we were loaded with seniors, so that isn't unusual because they were learning to trust me. The summer was a big key for us in bringing the kids together.
"We were really unselfish tonight."
Notes: City lost the junior varsity game 52-51. ... Sophomore Shereff Knight, a starting guard, again found himself in deep foul trouble, much like the Marquette game. He scored his first points of the season on a fourth-quarter layup, but played limited minutes finishing the game with four fouls. ... During the second half City senior DaQuvay Sherrod was spotted with blood on his shorts and was forced to quickly make a change - right on the sidelines, shielded as well as possible by coaches and teammates. He finished with seven points and six rebounds.
Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.
Posted by: Roger Kaputnik Dec 11 2008, 08:31 AM
SSider, are you gonna be on the air Fri or Sat?
Johnny, how are the rebroadcaasts gonna be handled since there are TWO--yes, TWO--games this weekend?
Posted by: southsider2k7 Dec 11 2008, 08:37 AM
SSider, are you gonna be on the air Fri or Sat?
Johnny, how are the rebroadcaasts gonna be handled since there are TWO--yes, TWO--games this weekend?
I will be on the Saturday doubleheader broadcast. I can't wait!
Posted by: Roger Kaputnik Dec 11 2008, 10:51 AM
Wait! Are you trying to tell us that WIMS is broadcasting the Girls Varsity and the Boys Varsity? And you are gonna do both?
And Matt will do the Friday game?
Posted by: southsider2k7 Dec 11 2008, 10:59 AM
Wait! Are you trying to tell us that WIMS is broadcasting the Girls Varsity and the Boys Varsity? And you are gonna do both?
And Matt will do the Friday game?
As far as I know, we are just doing the one game. Also it sounds like Matt will not be there on Friday either. I would be there, but I have the company Christmas party that night.
Posted by: Roger Kaputnik Dec 11 2008, 11:50 AM
So who is gonna do Friday? Mr. P?
Posted by: Johnny Rush Dec 11 2008, 02:03 PM
We will be replaying BOTH games this Sunday, with the Friday one going from 10am to noon and the Saturday game going from 6 to 8pm. Matt cannot make it to this Friday's game, so we are throwing in the WIMS super sub...Brian Brophy. Adam Parkhouse assures me that he can do the play by play, so I'm very interested to hear how it sounds.
By the way...who on the staff do you consider to be Mr. P?
Posted by: Roger Kaputnik Dec 11 2008, 03:14 PM
By the way...who on the staff do you consider to be Mr. P?
Mr. P(arkhouse)
Posted by: southsider2k7 Dec 15 2008, 08:19 AM
So an up and down weekend for the Wolves as they split their games this weekend. Friday nite was a bad loss to Chesteron 54-36, but they had a nice bounceback against New Prarie with a big second half winning 74-63. Next game up is Tuesday against a 4-1 Merrillville that owns a eight point win against Chesterton and a three point loss against LaPorte. Adam and I will be on the call from the Wolves Den with a 7:30 pm tip off.
Posted by: Roger Kaputnik Dec 15 2008, 09:28 AM
Any feedback from the broadcasts of the games? I did not catch them.
Posted by: southsider2k7 Dec 15 2008, 09:43 AM
I had the company Christmas party Friday nite, so I can't comment on that. Saturday went well, I think I liked the opening night broadcast better, but I can be a bit hard on myself. I thought I could have done better, and will do so Tuesday nite!
Posted by: southsider2k7 Dec 15 2008, 12:02 PM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=19686&TM=47459.63
From Staff Reports
DaQuvay Sherrod led Michigan City with 17 points in the Wolves' 74-63 victory over New Prairie on Saturday night at the Wolves Den.
City (3-1) also got 15 points and 13 rebounds from Darrell Hopkins.
New Prairie (1-3) was led by Austin Sill with 17 points, and Austin Kubit had 16 points and six rebounds.
For the girls, City beat the Cougars, 67-31.Ta'Kenya Nixon had 23 points and eight rebounds, and Joslyn Edwards had 15 points.
A full recap of Saturday's game, along with the girls game, will be in Monday's The News-Dispatch.
Posted by: southsider2k7 Dec 17 2008, 07:08 AM
The boys gave a great effort against an excellent MVille team, but couldn't quite take advantage of the breaks. The Pirates had six guys at 6'5" or taller, the Wolves had one. We just couldn't make the big basket at the end of the game to crawl back into it. Wolves fell to the Pirates in a nice effort 63-54.
Posted by: southsider2k7 Dec 19 2008, 09:05 AM
Just in case anyone did not know, the game tonight is canceled, as there is no school today.
Posted by: southsider2k7 Dec 22 2008, 10:59 AM
Tuesday nite, Adam and I will be making the call for the MC vs Laporte at 7:30pm from the Wolves Den.
Posted by: southsider2k7 Jan 8 2009, 08:31 AM
The boys are really scuffling now. That is their 6th loss in a row. Also I am not sure why the ND site has quit updating their sports page regularly... I'd much rather give you guys the Parkhouse version of our games, but they aren't up, so I can't post them.
http://www.post-trib.com/sports/highschools/1365559,lc.article
January 7, 2009By John O'Malley
Post-Tribune correspondent
ST. JOHN -- Michigan City's zone defense was packed in tight -- daring Lake Central to shoot from the outside.
Indians junior guard Keith Thompson and senior forward Zack Felton gladly accepted the challenge and the results proved to be deadly to the Wolves in their Duneland Athletic Conference matchup Tuesday night.
Thompson scored a career-high 24 points. He made 10 of 11 shots, including a trio of 3-pointers.
Felton, meanwhile, buried 9 of 17 attempts and swished four triples, and ended up with 22 points.
The Thompson-Felton combination proved to be double trouble for the Wolves (3-7, 1-5) as the Indians (5-4, 3-3) cruised to a 65-47 victory.
"When they packed it in on Eric (Summers) I figured they wanted to see if we could beat them from the outside," Thompson said. "We knocked down a lot of open shots."
Rivers was swishing his field goal attempts from the start. He scored eight points in the first quarter and added five more in the second to help the Indians take a 27-22 halftime lead.
Thompson scored 11 second-half points, including eight in the final quarter.
"It was just one of those nights where the shots were going down, so you have to just keep taking them," Thompson said. "I think we showed people tonight that you can't just guard one player -- you have to guard the whole team.
"We have a lot of different weapons. If we can play as a team and play smart, we can get places."
Felton, who scored five in the opening quarter, totaled 10 in the third period and tossed in seven more in the final eight minutes.
"They would run that triangle defense to clog up the middle, and that left me open shots," Felton said. "We just had to try and stay calm and hit the shots. I couldn't believe as I was that open. I thought that if I could hit the shots, I could really help out the team."
Michigan City coach Bob Buscher said he had seen Thompson play before, but he never expected what transpired Tuesday night.
"Thompson hit some shots, but I've seen him shoot sometimes and not hit anything," he said. "He killed us. What we tried to do the first half, I thought worked well."
The loss was the sixth straight for the Wolves.
"You just don't quit," Buscher said. "We don't finish at the rim. It's things around the basket. We're young and we're still learning."
Lake Central coach Dave Milausnic didn't like the way his team took care of the basketball.
If not for the Indians being whistled for 21 turnovers, the winning margin could have been larger.
"We have to do a little bit better job of taking care of the basketball," Milausnic said. "Offensively, as a team, I think we got a little too cute with the ball. We're not that team. If we can take care of the ball, we can be awfully tough to beat."
Posted by: southsider2k9 Jan 14 2009, 02:44 PM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=20252&TM=40092.85
Wolves stumbling having lost seven straight.
Nick Dettmann
The News-Dispatch
Now is not the time to be going through a rough patch.
A 3-1 start seems so distant as the Michigan City Wolves have lost seven straight games for the first time since 2005 when they lost nine straight. The school record is 15, set in 2004.
This week, the Wolves get a hungry Chesterton Trojans team which has dropped two straight (La Porte and Crown Point) after starting 5-2.
The game will tip at 6 p.m. Friday night, and will be broadcast on 1420AM and 95.9FM.
"They've got to learn how to competitively fight," City coach Bob Buscher said after the Lake Central loss Jan. 6. "When we lose or things get tough, instead of fighting, we lose confidence. We've gotta keep playing."
On Friday against Valparaiso, the Wolves (3-8, 1-6 DAC) lost 64-26.
The 38-point deficit was the largest since losing by 51 to South Bend Washington on Dec. 15, 2001.
Free-throw shooting and hitting shots were among the problems Friday. The Wolves shot 8-of-21 from the line, and 9-of-30 from the field.
"It's been a problem for us all year," Buscher said Friday. "It's something we work on as much as we can. ... We as coaches teach them what we can, but we can't shoot from the bench."
Posted by: Magnolia Jan 14 2009, 03:24 PM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Jan 14 2009, 02:44 PM)
Free-throw shooting and hitting shots were among the problems Friday. The Wolves shot 8-of-21 from the line, and 9-of-30 from the field.Those are some pretty big problems...
Posted by: southsider2k9 Jan 15 2009, 08:24 AM
Those are some pretty big problems...
Free throw shooting has been a problem all year long. FG% hasn't been great, but it has been bouyed by the layups they create off of the press. If a team can force the Wolves into a half court game, they are going to have a horrible shooting night. They don't have the type of team that can thrive in a half court offense. They don't have a dominant post player (such as Jerrod Jones) and they don't have much in the way of three point shooters either. They have to create offense off of turnovers. If they don't, they are toast.
Posted by: Johnny Rush Jan 16 2009, 10:04 AM
Tonight's game has been cancelled and rescheduled for tommorrow night...
Posted by: Roger Kaputnik Jan 16 2009, 11:20 AM
Are you talking about the boys bb at chesterton?
Posted by: southsider2k9 Jan 21 2009, 02:13 PM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=20426&TM=39637.34
But that's what coach Bob Buscher and the Michigan City Wolves boys basketball team are being forced to do.
"We lost some more people and we're very, very young and very, very inexperienced," he said after Saturday's 23-point loss to Chesterton. "We're starting over."
Adam Harmon led the Wolves on Saturday night with 13 points, and Darrell Hopkins added 10. But that was about it for the Wolves' production.
The Wolves (3-9, 1-7 DAC) have lost eight straight for the first time since the 2004-05 season and after a fourth straight loss by at least 18 points, it doesn't appear to be getting better for City.
"We've got a bunch of kids out there that this is their first week with us," Buscher said. "They don't know the plays."
This week, the Wolves will host Crown Point at 6 p.m. Friday. The game can be heard on AM1420.
The Bulldogs enter the week having lost 67-63 to Lake Central on Friday night, and have lost three of their past four.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Jan 21 2009, 02:19 PM
Hey Adam, I missed it, what happened to Sharrad? I don't see him on the roster anymore, and I saw Coach's reference to some guys being gone. What's the scoop, and who else am I missing?
Posted by: eric.hanke Jan 22 2009, 09:20 AM
Grades?
Posted by: Roger Kaputnik Jan 22 2009, 10:42 AM
If it is Math, I blame the Everyday Math!!!!
Posted by: southsider2k9 Jan 22 2009, 10:55 AM
Grades?
No idea. I am curious.
Posted by: eric.hanke Jan 22 2009, 11:13 AM
MCAS transitions students from Everyday Math back to the traditional method during the middle school process in preparation for High School.
Posted by: Roger Kaputnik Jan 22 2009, 12:15 PM
Hopefully they are not too scarred to recover. Probably the top ¾ of a class can recover, but the bottom ¼ is already at risk of failing to learn the methods of math, and from our previous discussion, not likely to.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Feb 9 2009, 09:49 AM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=20881&TM=38974.32
Adams 74, Michigan City 53
Ken Peterson
For The News-Dispatch
SOUTH BEND - Michigan City boys basketball coach Bob Buscher will be the first to admit losing is something he hates.
But given the situation the Wolves program is in, Buscher realizes the lumps this year's team has taken can only make his future better.
After watching City (3-13) fall 74-53 Saturday night at South Bend Adams, Buscher kept things in a proper perspective.
"We got two freshmen and a sophomore out there at times," he said. "And they're just worn out. You've got to have some physical bodies. No one wants to lose, especially me. But you've got to look at who we are, where we're at and where we've been."
John Smith had 18 points, Trevon Love 11 and Landon Booker 10 to lead the Eagles, who got 38 points off their bench.
Adams' quickness and experience was too much for City to handle all night. Still, the Wolves got off to a fast start and led 12-6 after Carlos McCormick scored with 6:21 left in the first quarter.
But the Eagles went on a 12-0 run that extended into the second quarter and Love's basket with 6:21 left in the half made it 21-14.
The effort was clearly there at times for the Wolves. Despite committing 33 turnovers, City had rallied from a 10-point third quarter deficit and rode the hot hand of 6-6 senior Darrell Hopkins back into the game.
Hopkins, who finished with a game-high 22 points, nailed five consecutive shots in the third quarter and was a perfect 7-of-7 from the field in the second half. His bucket with 7:29 left cut the Eagles lead to 49-46.
"I thought Darrell Hopkins had one of his best games," Buscher said. "He's got to catch the ball and keep it simple. We talk constantly about not putting the ball on the floor."
But Smith came back with back-to-back 3-pointers to help Adams take control as the Eagles went on a 17-2 run to take command. In the final quarter, City was outscored 25-9.
"This is a totally different kind of game than what we play all year," Buscher said. "In the Duneland, it's more controlled and it's more of a half-court game and a full-court game, but nothing like this. Last year, we beat them with seniors. This year, we've got puppy dogs. The effort was good."
Brandon Pawloski added 10 points and was City's only other double-figure scorer.
Hopkins finished with six rebounds to lead the Wolves while Pawloski had two assists.
"Our attitudes are so much better than what they were and we're working so much harder in practice," Buscher said. "We've made strides in the last three games. We've improved."
Posted by: southsider2k9 Feb 16 2009, 01:25 PM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=21025&TM=51853.64
Boys Basketball: Portage 70, Michigan City 63
Adam Parkhouse
Sports Editor, The News-Dispatch
PORTAGE, Ind. - Michigan City's boys basketball team desperately needs a win, but perhaps its best remaining opportunity to get one went by the boards Thursday.
The Wolves shot just 2-of-14 from 3-point range and could never finish one of several rallies throughout the game, falling at Portage, 70-63.
After City's 13th consecutive loss, coach Bob Buscher pointed at that line just more than 19 feet away from the basket as the culprit.
"We are 52-for-215 from the 3-point line," Buscher said, noting that comes out to 24 percent. "The problem is these 3s we fall in love with."
Portage (6-11, 2-9 Duneland) led throughout, with its biggest lead being 12 in the third quarter. But City (3-14, 1-11 DAC) was in this one throughout, seeing multiple opportunities to take the lead go by the board.
"We have to understand individual patience, and that is me with the ball thinking about what I'm gonna do," Buscher said. "215 is a lot of 3s and we can't shoot a percentage like that and expect to win."
Another problem Thursday was leading scorer Adam Harmon having an off night. He made three of his first four shots, but missed 10 of his final 11 to finish with nine points on 4-of-15 shooting.
In the waning minutes of the first half, City was within four, but the Indians quickly pushed that out to 10 on Damonte Lowery's 3-pointer at the end of the second quarter.
The Wolves outscored the Indians 17-14 in the third quarter, cutting the lead to seven heading into the fourth.
But Steve Perry's 3-pointer early in the fourth pushed the lead back out to 10 and Portage was able to hold off one more minor rush late to earn a rare DAC win.
"We have to get that message across about patience," Buscher said. "It's hard because our kids are not used to that."
Senior Darrell Hopkins was a bright spot for second consecutive game. He finished with a team-high 21 points and 10 rebounds to go with three blocked shots, following up a strong effort in Saturday's loss at South Bend Adams.
Another positive for City was senior Brandon Pawloski, who had his best game in weeks with 17 points.
"Darrell had one of his better games and hopefully we got Brandon Pawloski going tonight," Buscher said.
Notes: Portage won the junior varsity game 44-29. ... Freshman Jabbar Washington wasn't available because of an injury. His status going forward is uncertain. That left City with only nine dressed for the varsity game, two of which logged significant JV minutes.
Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Feb 19 2009, 11:41 AM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=21142
Wolves run losing streak to 14 straight.
Adam Parkhouse
Staff Writer
MICHIGAN CITY - Early in the second quarter, South Bend Washington made what would seem to be a fairly benign basket to give it a two-point lead against Michigan City at the Wolves Den.
Yet, with nearly three quarters left to play, City's heads hung, body language changed and the feeling in the gym that the game was over was unavoidable.
These are the byproducts of a struggling team, and the Wolves are doing just that. Washington toppled the Wolves, 69-48, on Wednesday, extending City's losing streak to 14 games with just two regular season games left to play.
"They're just so used to losing. Winning becomes a habit and losing becomes a habit," City coach Bob Buscher said. "In their defense, they just think, 'Here we go again.'
"They're just tired of it."
With a home loss Friday against Lake Central, City will equal the longest losing streak since the consolidation, but early Wednesday it appeared that streak had a good chance of stopping at 13.
City (3-15) came out scorching from the field, and Washington (15-3) did not. A 3-pointer from City's Adam Harmon with 3:45 to play in the first quarter gave the Wolves an 11-2 lead.
But from that point on, the Panthers went on a 15-2 run, including a 3-pointer from Kennis White (game-high 21 points) to tie the score at 13-13 with 7:25 to play in the second quarter. Just moments later, City lost the lead for good.
Less than five minutes later, the Panthers had built a 14-point lead in atypical fashion. Up by 10, Washington's Mike Carter was fouled on a layup, giving him a chance at three-point play. He missed the free throw, but Jarrett Fleming (15 points, 13 rebounds) got the rebound and the putback to give the Panthers a 14-point lead just nine minutes after they trailed by nine.
"We had three things on our board: Block out, don't be selfish and be patient," Buscher said. "We worked all week long on trying to be patient. We'll do it in practice, but we get in a game: Not gonna happen."
City trailed by nine at halftime and quickly worked the lead down to three in the third quarter, but by quarter's end the advantage was back out to 14 and the Panthers ran away with it in the fourth.
"Up until the Portage game, we were still optimistic," Buscher said of last Thursday's loss at Portage. "I felt we were making strides because we had four games in a row where we competed and played together.
"Against Portage, we didn't compete or play together. Tonight, I won't say that we didn't compete, but we didn't play together."
Buscher went on to describe the difficulties of being mired in such a slump.
"I've never had a year like this," Buscher said. "With the mentality and the combined basketball IQ, I've never seen it.
"It's just the whole attitude. It's still an attitude problem."
Notes: City lost the junior varsity game 39-19. ... Freshman Jabbar Washington missed his second game with a knee injury. He won't play Friday because of having to make up practices, but will return for the season finale against Valparaiso. ... After the Portage game, Buscher lamented his team's poor 3-point shooting, which was at 54-of-224 (24 percent) coming into Wednesday's game. City shot just 1-of-12 from the 3-point line against the Panthers. ... Another bugaboo for the Wolves has been free throw shooting, where they came into Wednesday shooting 59 percent. They were 3-of-9 at the charity stripe against the Panthers.
Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Feb 23 2009, 02:16 PM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=21206&TM=84973.1
home cookin'
Adam Parkhouse
Sports Editor, The News-Dispatch
I already know this is going to sound crazy, but you have to hear me out.
I'm not saying it's gonna happen - it would be difficult for anyone to make that prediction - but it's entirely possible that Michigan City's boys basketball team could enter play in the Michigan City Sectional with a school-worst 16-game losing streak and still play for the sectional title Saturday night.
I know. You think I've gone nuts, but the IHSAA's ludicrous blind draw system has made it possible.
The best three teams in the field - Merrillville, Valparaiso and Chesterton - all reside in the bottom half of the bracket.
In the top half, City will take on Hobart in one quarterfinal, a team with a record above .500 but is also 0-for-the-Duneland this season. The other quarterfinal in the top half of the bracket is Crown Point and La Porte and City has, relatively speaking, played farely well in four combined losses to those teams.
So here's an easy way this could work. I need to emphasize could, but it's not all that outlandish.
As many know, La Porte is a 3-point shooting team and is capable of shooting the lights out of any gym. But as evidenced by Friday's loss at Chesterton when the Slicers shot 6-of-27 from downtown, it also can cost them a game.
So perhaps La Porte gets hot and beats Crown Point and City beats Hobart, which wouldn't be a real upset by any stretch of the imagination. Then, again maybe, La Porte goes cold against City and a young, improving Wolves squad continues to play better together and earns an improbable berth in the sectional title game.
Pipe dream? Probably. But stranger things have happened.
Without knowing what happened in Saturday's regional championship game, allow me to say how proud I am of City's girls basketball team for an incredible effort in a semifinal drubbing of Gary West Side.
I thought that game would be close throughout but the Wolves took it to the Cougars early and often and only trailed by less than 10 over the final three quarters for a few seconds late.
City advanced farther than it ever had in the state tournament with the win and that, along with three Duneland Conference titles and two sectional championships, is plenty to be proud of.
A bill proposed by Rep. David Niezgodski, D-South Bend, calls for the elmination of the Indiana High School Athletic Association.
While I have my issues with the IHSAA on occasion, like with the blind draw for postseasons mentioned above, this idea seems cockamamie and unnecessary.
Apparently Niezgodski was upset with the IHSAA's handling of the Jasmine Watson case, a high-level girls basketball player who transferred from Elkhart Memorial to South Bend Washington, one of the best programs in the state. Watson's family said the move was for financial reasons while officials in Elkhart alleged it was for basketball.
I'll admit it seems the IHSAA picks and chooses when it gets heavily involved in cases like these, when moves like this realistically happen more often than anyone cares to openly admit.
But disbanding the IHSAA seems a bit over the top. Maybe a stern talking to is in order, but turning high school athletics over to an already tapped-out state education department doesn't seem to be the answer either.
Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.
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