INDIANAPOLIS — The Warsaw girls basketball team lost a heart-breaker Saturday in the state finals against Lawrence North, but it was still a huge day for Warsaw sports legends. 

[caption id="attachment_106038" align="alignright" width="370"] Warsaw basketball legends Chanda Kline (left) and Judi Warren were honored Saturday by the IHSAA. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

IHSAA put together a series of tributes Saturday honoring 50 years of girls basketball including top teams and standouts that also happened to be chronicled by the voice of Rita Price during that span.

The WRSW radio sports broadcasting legend was honored repeatedly at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis during the day and top teams and players from the past five decades were also spotlighted.

As always, Price and her broadcasting partners (for many years it was Tim Keffaber and now it is Baylen Hite) broadcast championship games as the best in girls' basketball collided in Indy.

[caption id="attachment_106017" align="alignright" width="420"] The IHSAA highlighted 50 years of girls basketball by spotlighting previous state champions and standout players, including Judi Warren (third from left) and Chanda Kline (second from left).[/caption]

At one point Saturday, players from Waraw’s 1976 state champions and others were honored at center court and then immediately headed over to press row to say hello and congratulate Price on her 50 years of broadcasting.

Jane Schott, assistant commissioner of the IHSAA, put it into perspective.

"In that first state championship they played at Hinke Fieldhoue, people said, 'Oh, you won't have over 500 fans,' and we had over 5,000 fans and she was doing the game from the very beginning and never left it. She has definitely elevated the level of our game," Schott said.

[caption id="attachment_106041" align="alignright" width="420"] WRSW radio legend Rita Price was recognized several times on Saturday for 50 years of broadcasting, including covering every state championship since 1976. Along with several tributes, she was greeted with a floral arrangement as she arrived to begin work on Saturday morning.[/caption]

Warsaw won two of the first three state championships beginning in 1976.

Along the way, Price has covered championship games featuring Triton, Tippecanoe Valley, Wawase and Northwood while broadcasting at Hinkle Fieldhouse, Market Square Arena, Lucas Oil Stadium and what is now known as Gainbidge Fieldhouse.

News Now Warsaw caught up with Warsaw legends Judi Warren (the 1976 Miss Basketball recipient) and Chanda Kline, (the 1978 Miss Basketball recipient) both of whom attended Saturday's ceremony.

"She was as much of a pioneer as people say we are," Kline said. "She was there the whole way. I consider her part of the team," Kline said.

She and Price mentioned the camaraderie that came as they rode the bus to games together in the early years.

"I can tell you about those bus rides you'd never believe," Price said. "The fact that these women are women now, I won't."

"It was a special collaboration that we had," she said. "We were like a family doing new things. I always said we didn't think we were making history, we just thought we were having fun, and we did."

Warren reflected on that first state championship when she was a senior.

"I feel very fortunate that it started in '76 and not '77 ... and how it changed my life and the career path and everything," Warren said.

Price was asked to name a few of her favorite players over the years.

"Well, it will always be Judi Warren. She was the first ever, from Claypool, Indiana, who learned to play ... with her brothers. It will always be that one person that stands out. Chanda Kline was that second," she said.

Saturday was the second consecutive weekend in which Price was honored for her broadcasting longevity, the first being an extensive tribute by Tippecanoe Valley High school. The school commemorated her for the 4,000-plus games she's broadcast while also serving as the voice of Valley football and basketball.

"I've been blessed by so many people in so many ways by this game they call basketball," Price said. "I've been at the right place at the right time, which I used to think was luck. Now I think somewhere along the line, there must have been a plan for my life and it's been nothing but good things all around."

Price said she was honored and touched by how former players who reached out to her Saturday.

"When they come back, it just brings it all back," she said. "All the fun comes back. It's been a great day."

[caption id="attachment_106044" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Rita Price (center) is pictured with broadcast partner Baylen Hite. Together, they both broadcast all four of Saturday's class game championship games Saturday. Price has been covering girls championships since they were first sanctioned in 1976. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

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WARSAW — Semi-state basketball action revs up Saturday for two local teams.

Warsaw and Whitko girls basketball teams will be in action this Saturday, battling for a spot in the Indiana Girls Basketball State Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday, March 1.

The Warsaw Lady Tigers (24-1)  will take on McCutcheon (24-3) at noon from Frankfort High School. The winner will play for a semi-state championship against either Hamilton Southeastern (26-0) or Valparaiso (19-7) at 7:30 pm.

Roger Grossman will be on the radio call of the semi-final matchup and championship round should the Tigers advance. You can hear the games on 1480AM and 99.7FM NewsNow Warsaw.

Fans can also catch the game online or through the News Now Warsaw app.

Pregame coverage will start 30 minutes before each game. The Tigers are trying to chase down their first semi-state championship since 2004 and its fifth in school history.

In Logansport, 107.3 WRSW will broadcast all three 2A semi-state matchups with the Whitko Lady Wildcats making their first-ever appearance in semi-state. Whitko captured their first-ever sectional, and regional championships over the last two weekends.

Whitko (21-4) will play Eastside (26-1) at 10 a.m. In game two Sheridan (25-1) will play Rensselaer Central (24-2) at noon

Rita Price and Baylen Hite will be broadcasting the games. You can listen to the pregame show starting 30 minutes before each tipoff time on 107.3 WRSW, online, or through the 107.3 WRSW app.

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Not all undefeated records are built the same. That can be said for Death Valley football this year as they have navigated a treacherous schedule without a blemish entering their final week of the regular season.

Saturday night's win against John Glenn is a microcosm of that principle. The Vikings have played without one of their top tacklers and second-leading rusher, Grady Moriarty, for three weeks, and learned last week that leading rusher Nate Parker wouldn't be able to play against the Falcons.

The Vikings executed their "can do" attitude and made the preparations to beat the Falcons 37-14 on a cold night in Walkerton. Let's take some time and break down just how they did it.

Dalton Alber, the "Shape-Shifter" 

It is hard to put into words what Dalton Alber has meant to Death Valley football in his 4 seasons playing in the Kelley Green and Bright Gold. The word selfless comes to mind. Alber, who for three seasons was a fullback who collected over 700 yards rushing and nine touchdowns, was asked to move to left guard at the beginning of the year.

Instead of complaining, Alber stepped up and stepped in. He has anchored that group all season long but on Saturday he was asked to return to the running game. He did so flawlessly, in true fullback fashion, running the football nine times for 42 yards and hit pay dirt three times.

LG1, DE1, or FB1? It really hasn't mattered where Dalton Alber plays each game. He always makes an impact.

Balanced Ground Game

With Alber in the mix, the Vikings relied on a number of players to tote the rock. Eight  different players carried the football for Death Valley, with four players gaining 40 yards or more. It's really unique in class 3A to see a team with this much balance but that is what has made the Vikings so dangerous this season.

Sectionals are looming and state power Bishop Chatard is waiting in the first round. It will be important for the Vikings to continue to build on their running game balance.

Peek into the Future

Not having Nate Parker affected all three phases for Tippecanoe Valley. When a player goes down, it opens the door for someone else to step up.

On special teams, freshman Owen Omondi was set to return for the first time this season and he made an impact with a great 35 yard return after Glenn reeled in some momentum from a pick-6. If you watch Valley each week Omondi is a name that you might have heard as a future impact player for the Vikings. After a great kick return and a 14-yard punt return, he might have a role moving forward this year permanently.

Teams typically plan to kick to freshmen on special teams. Something tells me after watching the game on Saturday, opposing coaches will have a different game plan in mind on kickoff.

Week 8 News and Notes

1. Coach Moriarty is now one victory away from 50 career wins. His record through seven  seasons is 49-24.

2. The Vikings controlled the clock again on Saturday night. They possessed the football for 36 minutes and only allowed the Falcons to have it for 17 minutes.

3. The Vikings will play Bremen on Senior Night. The Lions sit at (4-4) on the season and WR Tyrus Graverson is 2nd in the state in receiving yards with 962 yards.

Photo Courtesy of Darci Walters

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Well this is weird isn't it? Talking about a high school football game on a Saturday night? That's the position that Death Valley football fans find themselves in tonight.

The Vikings will enter hostile territory with a target firmly planted on their back against the (4-3) John Glenn Falcons. It's another matchup with a future conference foe that will be a crucial late season battle for Death Valley.

Let's break down what it will take for the Vikings to come away with their eighth win of the season on the eve of the sectional draw.

Take Care of the Ball

When you come into a game expected to win, it is imperative to take care of the football. It's especially important to do so against a defense like the Falcons that has intercepted opposing teams 14 times this season. The Falcons rank near the top in the state with 14 interceptions. Safety Chase Miller leads the team with six by himself. Valley isn't a team that tends to air it out but they will have to be careful when moving the ball through the air.

John Glenn is a very opportunistic team. They've collected 3 or more interceptions in a game 3 times this season. Valley needs to limit the turnovers to keep momentum on their side for the biggest moments of the game.

Records are Deceiving

I would argue that John Glenn is the best 3-loss team in the state. The Falcons enter tonight's matchup against opponents with a combined record of 22-2.

They've been beaten by an improved 4A South Bend Riley, Knox who just beat Triton to stay undefeated, and Laville who bounced back with another win last night over North Judson.

We have reached that point of the year where sometimes records indicate play and other times they just show how good teams really are.

In a first-time meeting you can't underestimate an unfamiliar opponent

Control Special Teams

Julian McMahan is a kick return threat for the Falcons. He has returned two kicks for a touchdown this season. He raced 99 yards against Laville a week ago on the opening play to give Glenn an early lead.

The Vikings have done a great job so far this season against return threats. The Vikings haven't allowed a special teams score yet this season but that could change if they can't bundle up Mcmahan.

Special teams always seem to be the deciding factor in close matchups and Valley has to make sure they have the edge tonight.

News, Notes, and Scores from Week 8 (10/6)

Three Rivers Conference

• Peru (8-0) looks to be the favorite to close out the conference title in the TRC. They hold a two-game lead over the top two teams after winning the head-to-head matchups.

Cass 38 Manchester 7

Maconaquah 55 Wabash 13

Northfield 33 Whitko 0

Peru 54 North Miami 7

Rochester 41 Southwood 0

Northern Lakes Conference

• Mishawaka, Northridge, and Warsaw are all tied at the top with a (5-1) record. Mishawaka has beaten both Northridge and Warsaw in head to head matchups.

Warsaw 42 Goshen 7

Mishawaka 31 Concord 7

Northridge 40 Plymouth 14

Northwood 38 Wawasee 21

Hoosier North

• Knox is in control of the conference in their final season of competition before joining the Indiana Northern State Conference next season.

Knox 42 Triton 7

Laville 23 North Judson 20

Pioneer 46 Culver 8

Winamac 26 Caston 22

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This game is being tabbed as the Valley game of the Century according to Valley historian Micah Lukens. That’s a tough bill to live up to, but Death Valley football will have every opportunity to do that in a top ten match-up against West Lafayette.

In a season that has included so many firsts, the Vikings will take on the second-ranked West Lafayette Red Devils. West Lafayette has had a storied tradition, including a state championship in 2018 and lengthy list of Division 1 talent alumni.

With so much in front of them, how will Valley respond to the challenge? Let’s break down the keys that can lead Tippecanoe Valley to win No. 7.

Stay Fresh

Easier said than done but this trip will be Valley’s longest trip of the season. The Vikings will travel 82.8 miles south or about a 90-minute bus ride to Gordon Straley Field. The Vikings are in a unique position where they will have to come off the bus fresh. There are strategies to this, such as taking a break midway to stretch and get loose. To be honest though there is no good way to shake this and it's hard to practice.

I’m sure coach Moriarty and his group have thought about this and will do their best to keep the boys fresh and ready to go. The other motivator is that this is the biggest game of the year for Valley. The Vikings must come off the bus spry and ready to hit.

If the Vikings come off the bus ready to hit, it could be a tone setter that shakes off the rust early in the contest.

No Fly Zone

Without a doubt, the Red Devils' passing attack is the most poised Valley will face all season long. Senior quarterback Carson Kitchel has thrown for nearly 1,500 yards through 6 games. The Red Devils often choose quantity over quality on plays to blitz their opponent and wear them down on defense. Kitchel has found his lead receiver Benny Speaker 32 times this season for 461 yards. A match-up that the Vikings will have to be keen on without a doubt.

Look for Wade Jones, Cody Black, Wes Parker, and Nate Parker all to be tested early in the secondary. Two players to watch for Valley are Trent Marshall and Iasiac Ramsey who will team up to help with the production lost from Grady Moriarty going down last week.

Sometimes the best way to attack a great passing attack is to get to the quarterback early. Could Dalton Alber, and Cameron Mason be the answer to assist the secondary? Only time will tell. One thing is certain though the Vikings have to keep the ball out of the air tonight.

Be the Hunter, not the Hunted

Even though Valley is the higher ranked team. Tonight represents a great opportunity to pounce early and attack a perennial power in the state of Indiana. This is a game that could solidify Valley as a state contender moving forward in the 21st century.

While this is just a regular season game with no conference or postseason implications, it feels like more. This would without a doubt be the biggest win for the Vikings under Steven Moriarty.

Personally, there isn’t much more to be said. If this game doesn’t get you excited, you simply don’t love football. Tonight, a top-ten team will rise and another will fall. Only time will tell when that football is kicked off in West Lafayette at 7 p.m.

Where to Listen?

Tune in to 107.3 at 6:30 for pregame coverage from Gordon Straley Field. Join Baylen Hite, Micah Lukens, and the legendary Rita Price for the game.

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