Good luck to wrestlers at semi-state and swimmers at state!

I don’t have a good way to do this. I can’t find all the words that I want to say. Even if I did, I would not know how to crunch those words down into cohesive thoughts that could fully, truthfully and accurately explain what needs to be said.

Last week Wawasee girls head basketball coach Kem Zolman announced his retirement from the game. Zolman has coached at Wawasee for 28 years and was the head coach for the girls program from the past 18 seasons. The man is synonymous with the school and, in particular, that girls program.

I have had the pleasure of covering Zolman for the past four years, but I get to cover a lot of great coaches. I don’t need to talk about what it’s like to report on his team or interview him. It’s been fun, but that’s not what I want to talk about. I had the chance to manage his team during my senior year at Wawasee, and that was the real pleasure.

I want to thank you, Coach Z. A lot of people do, and rightfully so. Over the next few weeks, even months, you’re going to be congratulated and thanked by a countless amount of people. It’s deserved. You’ve had numerous people come under your watch in the classroom and on the court and you’ve had positive impacts on so many of them. I am thankful to have been one of them.

I’ve had a lot of coaches in my life. Four different high school head football coaches between my school in Illinois and here at Wawasee. Two high school baseball head coaches. The countless amount of youth league coaches from seemingly every sport imaginable.

Few, and I truly mean few, have left me with the kind of impact that you have, Z.

Readers, trust me when I tell you that Zolman scared me more than any other coach I ever had, and all I did was manage for the man. But, that shows the level of respect that I had for him.

Zolman is a man that is strong in his faith and sticks to his convictions. I learned so much from him in just a year of being a part of his program, but it was worth a lot more than what I had picked up along the way from a host of other coaches.

I want to thank you, Z, for positively effecting my life, providing me another solid role model to have throughout part of my journey through high school and for helping me to grow closer to my faith.

I can never fully explain how you helped and guided me at a phase in life where a person needs a lot of help and guidance. I just want you to know how your influences have had an impact on so many people’s lives and that you’re efforts are greatly appreciated, more than you’ll probably ever realize.

After Wawasee’s boys varsity game tonight against Goshen there will be an open house held for Zolman put on by the school board. I will be covering swimmers at state so I cannot attend but I felt like making it public knowledge of what a great person and role model Kem Zolman truly is.

One last thing, Z, if Mrs. Zolman ever makes too many desserts some night, I’m just a phone call away and live right down the street.

Last Week: 6-0
Overall: 100-49

High School Girls Basketball Columbia City Regional 2/13

Concordia (14-11) v. No. 4 Tippecanoe Valley (24-1), noon.
The Scoop: What another enjoyable ride this has been. The Lady Vikings are once again in the regional and have a good chance at advancing their season even further.
This regional is tough, very tough, but so is Valley. I like what I see when I see this team. The depth, the inside presence, the outside shooting, the devoted fan base. It’s all fun to watch from afar. But this regional will test Valley in a whole new way.
Shania Kelly leads Concordia into this first game for the Lady Vikings. Kelly averages over 15 points per game and the Cadets next two scoring options average over 10 per game. Concordia’s record is deceiving. I think Valley’s depth is going to be huge in this game, and for the regional as a whole. I really am not too worried about this game, to be honest. But that’s just me. Girls, you should be focused and worried. Let me be the fool and look ahead. I like Valley by 10+ in this game.
Nick’s Pick: Valley 58, Concordia 42.

IF VALLEY WINS: I see the Lady Vikes facing Heritage Christian in the title game. I know, bold pick. But, I think Heritage is the better draw here.
I’d rather play a Heritage squad coming off a scrappy game with Norwell than a confident Norwell team coming off an upset over Heritage. That probably only makes sense to me and I don’t care.
I’ve gone back and forth with this second game all week. Heritage seems like the obvious choice but all Valley has done the past two years is slap “obvious” in the face. If the Vikings get by Concordia, I like them to pull the upset over Heritage, 49-40, in the regional final. I just have a good feeling about it. It’s also safe to say that nobody in Valley’s locker room would view it as an upset.

ONE MORE THING: Valley students, get your butts to the game and support this team! You’ve done a good job so far but be LOUDER and more organized. It’s a hot mess most of the time. Get it together and intimidate your team’s opponents this Saturday!

Boys Basketball 2/12-2/13

Goshen (5-11, 2-4) at Wawasee (2-14, 0-6), 7:30 p.m.
The Scoop: It’s now or never for the Warriors. Well, technically it’s now or next year. But next year is a long way off.
Wawasee has dropped a record 34 NLC games in a row entering tonight’s contest against the Redskins Redhawks RedHawks.
Goshen has some definite upside, but the Warriors have been playing better basketball as of late. I want to say the key here will be keeping Brady Bechtel in check, but that’s just part of it. Wawasee has done a fairly decent job at keeping opposing team’s leading scorers at bay this season, but the issue then becomes some other player going off for a career night. That’s where I become worried with CJ Detwiler.
Detwiler can be that second guy and can create issues for the Warriors inside. Look for him to have a decent game.
Tyler Smith has really stepped up for Wawasee lately but there’s yet to be the emergence of a reliable second scorer for the team.
I won’t be surprised if Wawasee pulls out a win tonight, it’s doable, but I can’t put my faith in the Warriors in a conference game right now.
Nick’s Pick: Goshen 42, Wawasee 35.

LaVille (12-7, 4-2) at Triton (12-6, 4-2), 7:30 p.m.
The Scoop: The Trojans look to string together a pair of wins after crushing Caston last Thursday.
LaVille has had a solid season to this point and should present a good offensive challenge for a defensive-minded Triton team. The key here will be for Triton to shut down Adam Steinke.
The junior comes in averaging over 18 points per game and also moves the ball around, averaging 3.3 assists per contest.
The Trojans have been fantastic on defense all season and I imagine that trend would continue tonight. Steinke makes this team tick but I know Triton can force LaVille into some bad situations and pull out a good win at home.
Nick’s Pick: Triton 41, LaVille 32.

Plymouth (14-4, 5-1) at No. 4 Warsaw (18-0, 6-0), 7:45 p.m.
The Scoop: Don’t crown the Tigers just yet.
Plymouth enters tonight’s contest with something to prove. A win and the Rockies/Pilgrims/Big Red can earn a share of the NLC title. Josh Anders and Nick Felke both average 11 points per game, with Anders closer to 14. This team can be dangerous and won’t roll over for Warsaw. I like Plymouth to make this a game and maybe even take the upset. Warsaw has to lose eventually, right? Might as well be tonight.
Nick’s Pick: Plymouth 40, Warsaw 32.

I’M KIDDING.

I hope Tiger faithful kept scrolling because, really, I’m kidding. It was a joke.
It took a lot of strength even to type all of that out. I’m sure the majority of people knew it was a joke, but you know there are a few that are currently cursing my name. I’m looking at you, Dave Anson. (Kidding, again)
No, there’s no way Warsaw drops this game. Warsaw has stepped up all season long and now it’s time to reap the rewards with the first of hopefully several championships this year. The Tiger Den will be rocking. This game should have as much hype as the NorthWood game because now there’s a trophy waiting to be hoisted.
So, yes, Warsaw wins this game. Make no mistake, Plymouth should not be overlooked, but the Tigers wouldn’t do that at this point in the season anyway. Orange and Black by 17 tonight. Book it.
Nick’s Actual Pick: Warsaw 58, Plymouth 41.

North Miami (1-17, 0-7) at Tippecanoe Valley (6-12, 4-4), 7:45 p.m.
The Scoop: C’mon. I’m not wasting time with this. Valley is not losing at home to a team that doesn’t even average 40 points per game offensively. I won’t even justify this game with a “scoop” of any kind. Valley wins big. Landon Patrick might even get some playing time.
Nick’s Pick: Valley 64, North Miami 42.

Whitko (11-8, 5-3) at Manchester (12-6, 5-2), 7:45 p.m., 2/13
The Scoop: The Wildcats have been on a role lately. Whitko will put a four-game win streak on the line Saturday night when it takes on the Squires.
Whitko has been beating all the teams it should beat, but the ‘Cats have yet to score a signature victory yet. I think Saturday’s game could be that chance.
It will take solid efforts from everyone on Whitko’s roster but I’ve really got a good feeling about this game for Big Blue. I like River West to go for 16 while Tanner Gaff has a big night on the boards and scores eight all to help compliment a 25-point+ outing from Nate Walpole. This is Whitko’s time to send a message.
Nick’s Pick: Whitko 58, Manchester 54.