Patriots back to regional at NorthWood (03/08/07)

This year they won't be playing at their home away from home. Or anywhere near home for that matter.

In making their dream trip to the state finals in 2006, the Jay County Patriots had the good fortune of playing not only their sectional games, but regional as well, at nearby Blackford High School. To earn a trip to Indianapolis again this year, the Patriots will have to travel quite a bit farther.

This year the tournament returns to NorthWood High School in Nappanee, where Class 3A No. 9 Jay County played in regional tournaments in 2003 and 2004. It will meet the Tippecanoe Valley Vikings there in the first of two semifinal games Saturday at 10 a.m.

Although he said it would be nice to compete on a familiar court like Blackford, JCHS coach Craig Teagle is excited about the opportunity for his players to experience a different venue.

"It gives the kids the experience to travel," said Teagle of the school 115 miles northeast of Jay County. "It kind of gives them an idea of what college teams go through. ... I think it's a great experience for the kids ... I'm just glad to be at the next level."

The Patriots have played at Blackford more than anywhere except their home floor with 21 games there over the course of the last five seasons. Their record in those contests is 20-1, the lone loss coming to Delta in the 2005 sectional title game, while the Bruins have gone just 13-41 on their own home court during the same span.

Jay County has played at NorthWood just three times in school history. Two of those games came in 2003 when it defeated New Prairie in the semifinals before falling to James Hardy's Elmhurst team by three in the championship, and the other was in 2004 when it fell to Bellmont in the semifinal round.

"Going up to NorthWood is going to be different from playing at Blackford," said senior Corey Comer, the only Patriot who has played at the home of the Panthers in his career, "because we play at Blackford (at least) two times a year. That's like a home floor for us."

This year marks a rematch of the 2006 regional semifinal round when Jay County defeated Tippecanoe Valley 63-57.

While top scorers from a year ago - Shane Drudge and David Lash - have both graduated, the Vikings still pack quite a punch.

Five players score 7.5 points per game or more, led by Chad Hoffer's 13.2. He is followed by Kevin Kindig (11.3), Adam Nelson (9.9), Shane Salyer (9.7) and Steve Tillman (7.7).

Hoffer also leads the team in assists (4.9 per game) and steals (2.5) while Kindig grabs 8.2 rebounds and shoots 55 percent from the field.

"I think they're better (than last year)," said Teagle of the team which defeated Peru 71-58 and Norwell 53-39 to win the sectional title at Wayne High School in Fort Wayne. "They're quicker, a little more athletic.

"Kindig and Hoffer, both those kids can jump out of the gym. They can dunk it easily. They can shoot the three. They take it to the hole really well. And then they have good role players around those guys."

Jay County responds with Comer at 13.2 points per game shooting 59 percent from the field, including 44 percent from 3-point range. Senior point guard Scott "Scooter" Bruggeman adds 10.5 points, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game, and sophomore Billy Wellman is just short of double figures at 9.1 points.

Comer (5.5), junior Clint Muhlenkamp (5.0) and Bruggeman (4.5) lead the Patriots, who grab an average of five rebounds per game more than their opponents, on the glass.

But, as usual, Jay County's success will likely fall on the shoulders of its defense. The team's defensive average of just 42 points and defensive field goal percentage of 37 are by far the best in the regional group. None of the other teams - Bishop Luers (16-6) and the host Panthers (17-5) play in the other semifinal game at noon - allows fewer than 50 points per game.

"Obviously playing up there in a little different environment we're going to have to play great defense," said Teagle, whose team is the only state-ranked squad in the group. "You don't know whether the ball is going to go in the hole again.

"Offensively I think we're going to need four guys in double figures. We're going to have to spread it around and be able to have some other guys hit shots.

"I think probably the two biggest keys will be how we handle their traps ... and rebounding."

In addition to the usual incentives of winning games and advancing, the Patriots have the potential to reach a couple of milestones Saturday.

Currently at 19-4, one more victory would tie the single-season school record for wins set when last year's team went 20-7. Two wins, of course, would set a new mark.

In addition, a victory over Tippecanoe Valley would give Teagle the 200th win of his coaching career.

While Teagle downplayed those possibilities, his players would like to help their coach reach the double century mark on their quest for a state crown.

"As a senior I think that would be cool to get coach his 200th win," said Comer.

"It would be amazing, especially for coach Teagle and how hard he's worked," added Bruggeman. "Everybody will understand how important it is, not only to keep going, but also for coach."[[In-content Ad]]Nappanee is the place to be. At least, that's what one of the northern Indiana town's web sites says.

The Jay County Patriots and hundreds of their fans will be in Nappanee Saturday when the boys basketball team plays in the regional tournament at NorthWood High School.

And if all goes well, they'll have some down time in between games.

If the Patriots win their semifinal contest against Tippecanoe Valley, they will not play again until 8 p.m. That would leave fans, even those who stick around for the second semifinal contest between Bishop Luers and the host Panthers, about five hours to kill.

Of course they would have the option of traveling to one of the chain restaurants in nearby Elkhart, Goshen or Warsaw. There are a handful of fast-food establishments in Nappanee, but the trip north also provides the opportunity to experience the unique local culture.

"We say 'embrace the pace' of the Amish buggies and the people," said Dawn Hollar of the Nappanee Chamber of Commerce, quoting the organization's slogan.

Unfortunately Amish Acres, the largest tourist attraction in the heavily Amish Nappanee community, is closed until May. But there are other options.

Hollar suggests Borkholder Dutch Village, west of Nappanee on County Road 101, which includes a 450-booth craft and antique mall open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Those interested in getting a meal will have to hustle after the game as the village's Dutch Kitchen closes at 2 p.m.

She also recommended the Main Street Coffee House and Country Table, two of several restaurants located along Main and Market streets in Nappanee.

Beyond Nappanee, Hollar pointed toward attractions in the Mishawaka/South Bend area, about a 30-minute drive to the northwest, and in Shipshewana, a 45-minute drive to the northeast.

Some may want to stop at University Park Mall which has "all those really nice stores that teenagers like" in Mishawaka. Just a bit further in South Bend there is the Studebaker National Museum, located at the corner of Washington and Chapin streets and directly across from the Northern Indiana Center for History.

Fans interested in sticking to more of a country atmosphere might opt for Shipshewana and its "unique Amish culture," said Beth Thornburg, Executive Director of the LaGrange County Chamber of Commerce. "Most of the shops in town are locally-owned. You can park at the curb and walk into the store. It has a little bit different atmosphere than shopping at a mall."

Among the shopping options are the Riegsecker Marketplace and Shipshewana Shops, both of which include a variety of stores. The Blue Gate Restaurant and Bakery, both part of the Riegsecker Marketplace, offer "Amish and Mennonite home-style cuisine" and are open for lunch and dinner until 8 p.m. Carriage rides are also available.

The Davis Mercantile, a large post-beam structure, offers four levels of shopping in the town which Midwest Living has referred to as one of the best places to find an usual gift. Mousetrap Puppet Theater will have shows at 1 and 3 p.m. and also houses a puppetry store.

Menno-Hof, which is also located in Shipshewana and will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, seeks to teach visitors about the life and faith of the Amish and Mennonites. It includes multimedia and hands-on activities in telling the story of the two groups from the 16th century through modern times.

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For more on the web:

http://www.nappanee.org

http://www.nappaneechamber.com

http://borkholder.com/dv/index.htm

http://www.studebakermuseum.org

http://www.shipshewana.com

http://www.backroads.org

http://www.Riegsecker.com

http://www.davismercantile.com

http://www.mousetraptheater.org

http://www.mennohof.org