Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

No. 3 Norwell girls
roll over Whitko
Amanda McAfee, Taylor Wilson and Jami Reinhard led the Class 3A No. 3 Norwell Knights to a 71-49 victory over the Whitko Wildcats in girls’ high school basketball action Thursday night at South Whitley.
Norwell (13-1) outscored Whitko 24-14 in the second period to open up a 38-22 halftime lead.
McAfee scored 11 of her game-high 19 points in the second half, as the Knights finished the contest with a 33-27 edge over the Wildcats.
Wilson added 17 points and Reinhard 15 to lead the Norwell scoring. Wilson had a trio of three-pointers.
Jessica Rupright added 8 points and Caitlyn Ailor 7 for the Knights. Allyssa Smith finished with 3 points and Paige Frisch 2.
Whitko (7-8) was led by Karissa Olinske with 13 points. Micaela Sylvester and Rachelle Kessie each added 10 points. Cagney Craig tossed in 9 points.

Chargers defeat Norwell matmen
The Norwell wrestling team was defeated by the Carroll Chargers 46-21 on Thursday night in a Northeast Hoosier Conference dual meet at Norwell.
Grayson Smith, Andrew Smith, Tony West and Jon Stickney won their matches for the Knights. Grayson Smith won by a pin in 32 seconds at 152 pounds. Andrew Smith pinned his opponent at 1:24 in the 160-pound match. Tony West pinned his 215-pound challenger in 1:29. Stickney won by a 6-2 decision at 285 pounds.
In junior varsity action, the Knights and Chargers tied 12-12.

Finals set for ACAC Tournament
The Leo Lions knocked Adams Central out of the Allen County Athletic Conference Basketball Tournament Thursday night in the semifinal round at Allen County Memorial Coliseum.
Leo withstood a challenge in the boys’ game, downing the Jets 86-79 in overtime. In the girls’ contest, the Lions beat Adams Central 57-21.
In the other boy’s game, Heritage romped over Woodlan 81-64. In the second girls’ contest, Class 2A No. 4 Garrett whipped Woodlan 51-27.
The championship game of the girls’ tournament will be played at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Coliseum, followed by the boys’ final game.

Crusader boys beat East Noble
The Norwell Middle School boys’ basketball teams defeated East Noble Thursday evening. The 7th-grade Crusaders beat East Noble 35-30 and the 8th-graders scored 53 points. No score was given for East Noble.
Bray Wilson scored 8 points for the 7th-grade Crusaders. Carson Lockwood had 7, Kaleb Johnson 5, Brody Myers 5, Drew Rinehart 4, Derek Macon 2, Hunter Ingle 2 and Jaron Stoppenhagen 1.
Garrett Mohler led the 8th-grade Crusaders with 13 points and Piercen Harnish netted 10 points. Andrew Oakes added 7, Alex Hunter 6, Reggie Hayes 5, Adam Nahrwold 5, Chandler Shady 3, Ashton McCune 2 and Joesph Friend 2.

So. Wells to hold meal before game
The Southern Wells Athletic Department will be holding an all-you-can-eat chicken and fish dinner from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 28, before the boys’ basketball game against South Adams.
“Back Door Concessions” will provide chicken and fish, cole slaw or applesauce, chips, dessert and drink. Cost is $8 for adults, $5 for children 5-12 years old and free for children under 5. Cost at the door is $9 for adults and $6 for children. Tickets may be purchased from any winter sport athlete or by calling the high school office at 765-728-5534 to reserve tickets. All proceeds will benefit the Athletic Transportation Budget.

Bluffton Boosters to host dinner
The Bluffton Athletic Boosters will host a dinner from 5-7 p.m. in the high school cafetorium before the Tigers’ boys’ basketball game on Friday Jan. 21. Grilled chicken, salad, baked potato, green beans, dessert and drink will be served for $8. Tickets are available from any Bluffton athlete or at the door. Any questions contact Dan Geimer at 824-9643 or 824-8543.

Optimist basketball contest scheduled
Wells County boys and girls may test their basketball skills against each other in the Bluffton Optimist Tri-Star Basketball Contest set for Saturday, Jan. 22, at the Bluffton City Building gym at 128 E. Market St.
Children must be between ages 8-13 as of March 15. Sign-up forms will be available at the door. Registration and warm-up will begin at 3:30 p.m., followed by the contest at 4 p.m. The top three boys and girls from each age group will receive a trophy. First-place finishers advance to regional competition, which will be announced at the local event.

Norwell Baseball hitting league slated
Norwell Baseball will be offering a middle school hitting league Jan. 24, 31, and Feb. 7, 14 and 21. Cost is $35. Registrations will be accepted through Jan. 24. For more information contact Kelby Weybright at 543-2213, ext. 7002 or 273-2396 or e-mail at kelby.weybright@nwcs.k12.in.us.