JIM PETERS: Former softball player organizes Portage alumni game

It was the glory days of Portage High School softball, an 11-year stretch in which the Indians won seven sectionals, five regionals, two semistates and one state title.

Portage's Hodges wins mental attitude award

INDIANAPOLIS | If the Class 4A state championship was the cake, then the mental attitude award was a second layer of icing.

Haley and Jay Hodges

Haley Hodges is one of the top players on the Portage softball team that will play in the Class 4A state championship game Saturday. Her dad, who has coached basketball, football and golf during his 26 years at Portage, is an assistant coach.

JIM PETERS: Run to softball state finals even sweeter for the Hodges

When Haley Hodges popped her first career home run in her first varsity game as a Portage freshman, her dad Jay was on a golf course.

JIM PETERS: Wabash football players get a glimpse of life in Panama

Think of Panama and you think of a canal, a hat and a Van Halen song.

Ryan Klikus, Morgan Township baseball

Morgan Township senior shortstop-pitcher Ryan Klikus has been an emotional and physical leader for the Cherokees, who play in today's Class A Caston Regional for the second year in a row.

Ryan Klikus, Morgan Township baseball

Ryan Klikus hits soft toss before Morgan Township's practice Friday. Klikus is hitting .365 with 25 stolen bases and 33 runs, and has four pitching wins for the Cherokees, who defended their Class A sectional title.

Ryan Klikus, Morgan Township baseball

Ryan Klikus has led Morgan Township to a second consecutive Class A sectional title. The Cherokees' emotional leader has four pitching wins while hitting .365 with 25 stolen bases and 33 runs.

Jake Wright, Boone Grove baseball

Jake Wright has been the Boone Grove shortstop since taking over the position during his freshman year. Wright is the school's career record-holder in hit by pitches at 32. He is also in the top 10 in stolen bases.

Jake Wright, Boone Grove baseball

Jake Wright turns a double play at Boone Grove's practice Thursday. Wright took over at shortstop as a freshman and has been a fixture there since.

Jake Wright, Boone Grove baseball

Jake Wright fields a grounder during Boone Grove's practice Thursday. Wright took over as the Wolves shortstop as a freshman and has been a mainstay there since.

JIM PETERS: Portage baseball program continues its climb to success

It's been a long, often bumpy ride for Tim Pirowski.

JIM PETERS: Washington Township baseball coach Roberts will miss Hanover Central in the PCC

Ask a Porter County Conference athlete or coach about Hanover Central's departure and many of them will give you the same answer.

James Mills, Wheeler track

Wheeler's James Mills was the Portage Sectional runner-up in the 800 meters and looks to qualify for the state finals out of tonight's Valparaiso Regional.

James Mills, Wheeler track

Wheeler's James Mills jogs at practice Wednesday. The Bearcats junior placed second in the Portage Sectional in the 800 and looks to qualify for state in tonight's Valparaiso Regional.

James Mills, Wheeler track

Wheeler's James Mills stretches before practice Wednesday. Mills placed second in the 800 at the Chesterton Sectional and looks to qualify for state in tonight's Valparaiso Regional.

Caleb Narron, Boone Grove baseball

Caleb Narron came to Boone Grove from North Carolina last year. The junior second baseman has become one of the Wolves' top hitters, but will be moving back to North Carolina after the season.

Caleb Narron, Boone Grove baseball

Caleb Narron takes a swing in the batting cage before Boone Grove's game against Lowell on Tuesday. The junior second baseman is among the Wolves' top hitters.

Caleb Narron, Boone Grove baseball

Caleb Narron fields a ground ball at second base before Tuesday's game against Lowell. Narron moved to Boone Grove from North Carolina last season

Tyler Crussen, Wheeler baseball

Wheeler senior shortstop Tyler Crussen is hitting .437 with 11 doubles, 14 stolen bases and 16 RBIs. He set the school's single-season record for singles last year with 41.

Tyler Crussen, Wheeler baseball

Tyler Crussen fields a grounder before Wheeler's game Wednesday. The Bearcats senior shortstop will play at Harper Junior College.

Tyler Crussen, Wheeler baseball

Tyler Crussen is hitting .437 with 11 doubles, 14 stolen bases, 16 RBis and 22 runs for Wheeler.

Josh Marciniak, Valparaiso track

Josh Marciniak approaches a high hurdle during practice Tuesday. The Valparaiso senior hopes to advance in both hurdles races at today's Portage Sectional.

Josh Marciniak, Valparaiso track

Valparaiso senior Josh Marciniak is one of the top hurdlers in today's Portage Sectional. He also anchors the Vikings' 1600 relay. Marciniak will attend Trine University.

Paige Pizer, Portage track

Portage junior Paige Pizer ranks third in the 1,600-meter run and fourth in the 800 on the school's career list.

Paige Pizer, Portage track

Portage's Paige Pizer, center, jogs with teammates Monday at practice. Pizer ranks first in the area in the 800-meter run while the Indians' 3,200 relay ranks second.

Paige Pizer, Portage track

Portage's Paige Pizer stretches before practice Monday. The Indians junior has the area's top 800-meter run time at 2:22.7.

Jon Moneta, Hebron baseball

Senior left fielder Jon Moneta is hitting .400 with 15 RBIs for Hebron. After returning from Georgia last season, he played a key role in the Hawks' run to the 2A semistate.

Jon Moneta, Hebron baseball

Jon Moneta is one of just two seniors on the Hebron roster. The left fielder is hitting .400 with 15 RBIs for the Hawks.

Jon Moneta, Hebron baseball

Jon Moneta awaits a fly ball Thursday at Hebron. The Hawks left fielder is hitting .400 with 15 RBIs and has been a leader on a roster with several freshmen and sophomores.

Jon Moneta, Hebron baseball

Jon Moneta is one of just two seniors on the Hebron roster. The left fielder played a key role in the Hawks' postseason run last year.

JIM PETERS: LaPorte to install artificial turf, build new track

As football coaches go, LaPorte's Bob Schellinger is a natural grass kind of guy.

JIM PETERS: South Central girls hoops manager Budka wins IBCA scholarship

Call Derek Budka a techno-geek and he'll smile, shake your hand and say thank you.

Blake Wallace, Hebron track

Hebron junior Blake Wallace holds the school record in the 200-meter dash with a time of 23.18 seconds.

Blake Wallace, Hebron track

Hebron junior Blake Wallace holds the school record in the 200-meter dash with a time of 23.18 seconds.

Blake Wallace, Hebron track

Hebron junior Blake Wallace holds the school record in the 200-meter dash with a time of 23.18 seconds.

Andrea Violanti, Valparaiso track

Andrea Violanti returned to the Valparaiso track team this season as a distance runner after running sprints as a sophomore.

Andrea Violanti, Valparaiso track

Andrea Violanti was a sprinter when she ran track for Valparaiso as a sophomore. She returned this season as a distance runner.

Andrea Violanti, Valparaiso track

Andrea Violanti returned to the Valparaiso track team as a distance runner this season after running sprints as a sophomore.

Mike Crowley, Chesterton baseball

Chesterton senior catcher Mike Crowley has limited opponents' stolen bases with his strong arm. He is also hitting .366 for the 12-4 Trojans.

Mike Crowley, Chesterton baseball

Chesterton senior Mike Crowley has been a catcher since he was 8 years old. The Trojans captain will play in college at Huntington.

Mike Crowley, Chesterton baseball

Strong blocking skills are one of Mike Crowley's atrributes as the Chesterton catcher. The Trojans senior captain is also hitting .366.

Mike Crowley, Chesterton baseball

Chesterton senior Mike Crowley has been a catcher since he was 8. The Trojans captain will play in college at Huntington.

Mike Crowley, Chesterton baseball

Chesterton catcher Mike Crowley missed much of last season after undergoing knee surgery. He is hitting .366 with seven doubles, a home run, 11 runs scored and 15 RBIs for the 12-4 Trojans.