NorthWood celebrates its 2018 boys basketball sectional title. The program is celebrating 50 years of basketball on Jan. 18 at The Pit. (File photo by James Costello)

NAPPANEE – Just as the NorthWood football program hit a milestone this past season, the NorthWood boys basketball program is celebrating in similar fashion.

NorthWood will celebrate 50 years of boys basketball with a day full of events on Friday, Jan. 18, at the high school. In hosting longtime rival Goshen, the JV and varsity basketball games will carry on as usual, the JV tip at 6:15 p.m. with the varsity to follow at The Pit. What will surround those two games will heed the celebratory vibes.

The Red Regiment will host a Backyard BBQ in the NorthWood cafeteria from 4:30-7 p.m. At 5 p.m., the elementary teams will play an exhibition game in the Athletic Center. Anyone purchasing a ticket for the elementary game gets into the high school contests for free.

LeeAnne Stewart’s dance group will perform at halftime of the JV game, and the Snowcoming festivities will commence between the JV and varsity games. At halftime of the varsity game, the first basketball team from 1969-70 team will be honored, as well as all NorthWood basketball program alumni in attendance. The original team will then take a group photo with the current squad on the court following the varsity game.

All are encouraged to stay after the game for a gathering in the high school cafeteria to celebrate 50 years of Panther basketball. All program alumni will be admitted free to the games.

NorthWood’s history includes eight sectional titles and one regional crown, including four sectional titles in the past five years. NorthWood has also won four Northern Lakes Conference championships in its five decades.