FULTON —
One year ago, Ben Snyder’s Caston Comets had a chance to claim the Midwest Conference title outright.
A trip to Winamac changed all that, and they were forced to share the championship with Pioneer after a five-point loss to the Warriors.
Similar circumstances surrounded this same matchup Tuesday night, as any hopes of sharing a third straight conference crown would come down to their final regular season game. Coming off a sound thumping by a red-hot Pioneer squad, Winamac hoped to rebound and play the spoiler role once more.
Despite a slow start, Caston outscored the Warriors 21-6 in the second period and came away with a 50-32 victory on senior night.
Looking out of sync to start the game, the Comets fell behind by 5 with 3:11 to play after Parker Fox scored on a putback. Jake Howdeshell and Corey Moss responded with 3s, but Winamac showed range of its own when sophomore Adam Gruenig connected from long distance with :37 left. Howdeshell answered with another 3 at the buzzer to draw the deficit to one at 12-11. That trey started a 17-0 Caston run, and Winamac wouldn’t recover.
Howdeshell gave the Comets their first and final lead with a 3 just 13 seconds into the second period. Defensive pressure was the key to a productive quarter, as Alex Howdeshell’s steal led to a 3 by fellow sophomore Dustin Offenberger with 6:34 left. Quentin Douglass went to work on both ends as well, causing a defensive 5-second call, then scoring five consecutive points by penetrating the lane. Dalton Button halted the run with a putback at the 4:16 mark, but Howdeshell drilled back-to-back 3s to kick the lead back up to 13. Offenberger struck again from long distance, giving Caston its biggest lead of the half at 31-16.
After a Levi Schultz basket at the 5:09 mark, Howdeshell drained his sixth 3 of the game a few seconds later. The senior finished his phenomenal regular season with a game-high 22 points.
Junior J.T. Garnett hit two threes in the period, the second of which drew the Warriors to within 8 at the 1:18 mark. Douglass stretched the lead back to 10 with two free throws as the quarter ended. He finished with 13 points in the game to go with a strong defensive effort.
After missing two free throws to start the fourth, Moss responded by dishing to Alex Howdeshell for a layup to extend the lead back to 14 at the 5:21 mark. The Comets finished strong defensively, holding Winamac to just four points in the final quarter, all free throws.
“We definitely have a chip on our shoulder every night,” Moss said. “Our team defense and ball pressure has been the key to our 15 wins.”
Snyder added, “This is a special group of seniors. They’re 18-3 in Midwest Conference play over the last three years. Their hard work represents the culture we’ve been able to establish here.”
The Comets (15-6, 6-1 MWC) will be rooting for Tri-County on Friday when Pioneer visits Wolcott.
The Comets will face Pioneer next Tuesday night at 6 p.m. in the first round of the West Central Sectional.
Winamac (7-12, 3-4) travels to Rensselaer on Friday to conclude its regular season.
Local Sports
Caston boys stymie Winamac for 15th win
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BOYS TRACK: Calisto claims sectional title
Logansport junior Alex Calisto was nearly in the identical spot he was in exactly one year ago.
But this time, he didn’t have to settle for second place. -
Redman perseveres
Timing can be everything.
Unfortunately for Logansport senior Seanna Redman, she suffered a devastating knee injury right in the middle of her senior year. -
GIRLS TRACK: Regional bound
The Logansport, Lewis Cass and Pioneer girls track teams made the long trek to Madison-Grant High School for action in the 2013 Madison-Grant sectional. Several area girls had successful nights and will be advancing to regional action.
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SOFTBALL: Berries bring intensity in win at Cass
Intensity and defense.
An abundance of the former and a lack of the latter made the difference in Monday night’s softball matchup between the Logansport Berries and the Lewis Cass Lady Kings. -
Trey Baseball: New Castle star leads sweep
There were approximately 30 Major League scouts on hand to watch New Castle star Trey Ball Saturday afternoon at Jim Turner Field.
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FRIDAY ROUNDUP: Panthers end Warriors’ MWC title streak in boys golf
Pioneer’s boys golf team took down Midwest Conference stalwart Winamac at the conference meet at Pond View G.C. on Friday.
The Panthers defeated the Warriors by five strokes, 338-343. The Panthers won their first MWC title since 2002. -
Zebras zip past Logan
Speed kills.
Rochester’s softball team has plenty of it. -
Leach is a standout doubles player for Lewis Cass tennis
Lewis Cass’ tennis program is known for strong doubles play in recent years.
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Logan baseball has to settle for split against Huntington
Logansport’s baseball team fought and clawed and scratched, and the Berries played well for the most part against visiting Huntington North on Wednesday.
The Berries certainly had their opportunities at a second straight North Central Conference sweep. -
SOFTBALL: Hurst, No. 9 Frontier top No. 5 Pioneer in MWC showdown
There was quite a pitcher’s duel at Herk Hoffman Field on Tuesday.
An unearned run in the first inning turned out to be the difference in the game. - More Local Sports Headlines
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