NEW CARLISLE -- A 6-5 conference record isn't generally something to brag about, but given the top-end talent of the Northern Indiana Conference this season, Mike Bauer isn't wrinkling his nose about it.

MICHIGAN CITY – Back in 1992 and 1993, Gary Lewis was a part of the last decorated public school basketball teams in Michigan City, playing for Elston teams that went to consecutive semistates.

Class 4A Sectional 3

WEDNESDAY NIGHT MIXED LEAGUE

MICHIGAN CITY – Some nights, winning isn’t the first objective, or at least not the most realistic one.

In an unprecedented season of challenges, New Prairie’s boys swim team has achieved unprecedented success.

With the entire starting five returning from a 17-win team, the South Central coaching position should be an opening that draws plenty of interest.

UNION TOWNSHIP – Even with a black eye and a pair of rolled ankles, Ben Garwood easily remains LaCrosse’s best scoring option.

Among the thousands of items of Green Bay Packers memorabilia in George Oudhuis’ Rolling Prairie home, there’s a rare bottle of Packers wine, one of only 100 of its kind.

A year ago, Wes Bucher strongly considered stepping down as South Central coach after the Satellites’ run to the Class 2A semistate.

ST. JOHN – Standing 6-4, 6-7 and 6-10 across their front line with a couple 6-3s and another 6-4 off the bench, Lake Central can cast a veritable spider’s web around its defensive third of the court.

In a season of restricted attendance at sporting events, Class 4A Sectional 3 athletic directors agreed Monday to facilitate more fans going to next week’s games by moving the site from Plymouth to Michigan City.

It all started the day back in Kindergarten or first grade when Ashton Jackson brought home a flyer from school about La Porte’s elementary wrestling program.

Home-court advantage might not have quite the same significance in sectional play this season, due to limited attendance restrictions, but don’t tell that to New Prairie.

If Mel Kovenz was feeling a tad sentimental after Saturday’s Hobart Sectional, it was certainly understandable, though that’s not particularly his style.

UNION MILLS -- Just over six weeks ago, South Central had played just four games and had yet to scratch the 'W' column.

La PORTE -- Offense comes and goes, but defense is a constant.

MERRILLVILLE – As the calendar flipped to February and the last month of the regular season, Michigan City sat at 11-3. That flip of the calendar has proved to be a different beast.

Ask Camryn Whitaker where she thinks Trinity Thompson will fit in when she comes to Northern Kentucky, and the Norse coach can’t provide a straight answer.

In a different scenario, Trinity Thompson may never have ended up at Michigan City.

If Thursday’s preliminaries are a sign of things to come, New Prairie’s set up for a big day in the Penn Sectional finals Saturday.

A state medal secured with his first-round victory Friday, Ashton Jackson has his sights.

“I’m Everything They Said I Couldn’t Be.”

La PORTE – When La Porte bemoans its numerous close losses, Goshen responds, hold my... beverage.

MICHIGAN CITY – Illiana Christian alone provided host Marquette with a stiff enough challenge Wednesday night, and the Blazers made it even tougher on themselves by battling more than just the school from Dyer.

Getting used to the uncomfortable is an essential part of gymnastics.

In 1977, Kathie Calloway was granted space in Michigan City Rogers yearbook to share her thoughts on the girls basketball team’s first sectional title and what ensued was a scathing commentary on the school’s indifference to the sport.

Jersie Bartels, LaCrosse

EAST CHICAGO – The lion’s share of attention about the 106-pound weight class at Saturday’s East Chicago Central Semistate centered around River Forest’s Jeffery Bailey.

La PORTE – Back in November 2017, she was known mostly as the taller younger sister of Riley Ott.

NEW CARLISLE – Every coach in every sport strives to make his athletes compete with an abundance of confidence and an absence of selfishness. That’s no simple juggling act, although New Prairie senior Braydon Flagg consistently makes it look easy.

La Porte watched 'Hoosiers' after practice Thursday.

MICHIGAN CITY -- There's just a vibe about Michigan City when Jamie Hodges, Jr., is on the floor that's missing when the Wolves sophomore guard doesn't play.

Whenever Abbie Tomblin comes to school wearing a LaCrosse sweatshirt, it draws attention and reaction.

Whether it’s prepping one of her family’s four horses for a show, doing community service with the La Porte High School Girls Reserves, compiling material for the yearbook or playing soccer, Hannah Hartsburg’s never had an issue with rolling up her sleeves and getting to work.