PORTER COUNTY SPORTS BRIEFS: Regional K of C champs crowned

Regional K of C champs crowned

PORTAGE | Regional free-throw titles were won by 10 area youths in competition hosted by Nativity of Our Savior Knights of Columbus Council 9114 on Sunday at Portage High School.

Girls winners were Valparaiso's Olivia Klinger (age 10, 14-of-25 free throws made), LaPorte's Riley Ott (11, 21-of-25), Chesterton's Shannon McCoy (12, 19-of-25), St. John's Olivia Kelly (13, 18-of-25) and Wheatfield's Isabella Wireman (14, 20-of-25).

Boys winners were Griffith's Kyle Iwinski (10, 19-of-25; tiebreakers 4-of-5, 4-of-5, 4-of-5), Wanatah's James Mitzner (11, 17-of-25), Chesterton's Austin Peterson (12, 23-of-25), Hobart's Jared Humphrey (13, 25-of-25) and St. John's Griffin Welch (14, 23-of-25). Austin Peterson was the international winner last year for the boys age 11 division.

The winners will compete at the state level March 10 at St. Theodore Guerin High School in Noblesville.

VHS to host meeting for incoming athletes

VALPARAISO | Valparaiso High School will host an informational meeting for eighth-grade athletes and their parents from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday in the main gym. After an introduction by athletic director Mark Hoffman, 20-minute sessions conducted by head coaches will be held for sports from each season, beginning with the fall, as well as athletic training, weightlifting and cheerleading. For details, call the athletic office at 531-3080.

Softball registration extended

VALPARAISO | Girls softball registration for the Valparaiso Parks League has been extended. For details, go to www.valpoparks.org, or call (219) 462-5144 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

South Haven Little League slates sign-ups

SOUTH HAVEN | Sign-ups for the South Haven Little League will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and March 10 at the South Haven Boys and Girls Club, 723 Longrun Road. For details, call league president Phil Saylor at (219) 331-0033.

Adult softball reclassification meeting Saturday

HIGHLAND | Indiana ASA Region 1 will hold an adult softball reclassification meeting from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Highland Parks and Recreation Lincoln Center. For details, call Dick Zurbriggen at (219) 663-3408 or (219) 776-0654 (cell).

Ice Skating Plaza open at Deep River Waterpark

HOBART | The Deep River Waterpark Ice Skating Plaza is open through Sunday, weather permitting. For details, call (219) 947-7850, ext. 604, or go to www.DeepRiverWaterpark.com.

Indoor soccer skills camp in March

SOUTH HAVEN | A spring indoor soccer skills camp for boys and girls aged 5 to 12 will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays during March in the South Haven Christian School gymnasium, 786 Juniper Road. Cost is $85, which includes professional training and camp shirt. There will be discounts for families with multiple players. Registration deadline is Monday. To register, call (219) 608-3183; email soccercoach3@hotmail.com, or go to WWW.MYSTIQUESOCCER.COM.

All-star games at Indiana University Northwest

GARY | The Baylor Youth Foundation will host a series of East vs. West middle school all-star basketball games March 3 at Indiana University Northwest. Games will begin at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15. For details, email info@bayloryouth.org, or go to WWW.BAYLORYOUTH.ORG.

Softball umpiring school March 11 at PHS

PORTAGE | The Indiana ASA will hold a state umpire school from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 11 in the Portage High School fieldhouse. To pre-register or for details, call Dick Zurbriggen at (219) 663-3408 or (219) 776-0654 (cell).

Bowl-a-thon March 11 at Camelot

PORTAGE | Portage Township YMCA's 23rd annual bowl-a-thon will take place at noon March 11 at Camelot Bowl. Entry fee is $60 per five-person team. For details, call (219) 762-9622, or visit www.ymcaofportage.org.

Crown Point adult softball leagues taking sign-ups

CROWN POINT | The Crown Point Parks Department adult softball leagues are reserving positions for the 2012 season. The men's league will play on Tuesdays (E Division), Wednesdays (C Division) and Thursdays (D Division). Cost is $575 per team. The coed league will play on Sunday nights. Cost is $460 per team. The women's league will play on Monday nights. Cost is $460 per team. Deadline to register for all leagues is March 15. Teams must put down a $100 deposit to secure a position. Fees must be paid in full by May 1. A meeting for all leagues will be held at 7 p.m. April 9 at the Civic Center, 101 S. East St. For details, contact Richard Zurbriggen at (219) 663-3408 or (219) 776-0654 (cell).

Hunter's education safety course at Cedar Creek

CEDAR LAKE | The Lake County Parks hunter's education safety course will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. March 16 and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 17 at Cedar Creek Family Golf Center, 10483 W. 109th Ave. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources requires all hunters born after 1986 to take the class. Those taking it must attend both sessions and pass a written test. Pre-registration is required. To register, call (219) 947-7275. For details on other hunter education dates, contact the DNR at (219) 879-5710, or go to WWW.IN.GOV/DNR.

Adult coed volleyball tourneys at VU

VALPARAISO | Valparaiso University will host adult coed volleyball tournaments at 9 a.m. March 18 and April 15. Cost is $120 per team. For details, contact Craig Cromwell at (219) 464-5791 or at craig.cromwell@valpo.edu.

Lakeshore Elites cheer sign-ups March 25

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP | The Lakeshore Elites all-star competitive cheer program will hold sign-ups for its tiny and mini teams for youth aged 4 to 6 and 9 and older from 1 to 3 p.m. March 25 at Lakeshore Athletics, 127 East U.S. 6. A parents meeting will be at 1 p.m. that day. The first practice will be April 1.

The program will also hold open tryouts for its youth, junior and senior teams from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. April 1. A parents meeting will be at 3:30 p.m. that day.

For details, email shelly@LSGYM.com, or go to www.lsgymcheer.com.

Indiana Basketball News to host camp

Indiana Basketball News will host its High School Boys Showcase on March 25 at South Suburban Community College in South Holland. The event is a skill development clinic and a promotion to colleges and universities. Interested players may sign up at www.inbnews.

INB will also host its Middle School Phenom Camp for boys and girls in grades five to eight on April 15 at Northern Indiana Culver Academy in Culver. The camp serves as a regional qualifier for the Boys Prestigious National Camp held Aug. 2 to 4 in San Diego. Interested parents may sign up their student athlete at www.juniorphenoms.com.

VU plans one-day football camp

VALPARAISO | Valparaiso University will host a Junior and Senior Camp from noon to 4 p.m. June 17 at Brown Field. The camp will offer specialized instruction designed to help high school athletes improve their football skills. Cost is $35 before June 1, $40 from June 2 through the day of the camp. For details or to register, go to www.valpofootballcamp.com, or contact Steve Donovan at (219) 464-5293 or Steven.Donovan@valpo.edu.

Valpo Parks youth sports sign-ups begin

VALPARAISO | Registration is under way for several of the Valparaiso Parks Department's youth programs. Sports available are spring soccer (ages 4-12), kick-start soccer (3-5), Cal Ripken baseball (9-12), Babe Ruth baseball (13-15), girls softball (5-16), coed T-ball (5-6) and Cal Ripken Rookie League baseball (7-8). For details, call (219) 462-5144, or go to www.valpoparks.org.

Winter golf available at Creekside

VALPARAISO | Creekside Golf Course and Training Center's outdoor 12-hole course is open, weather permitting. Cost is $10, $15 with a cart. The driving range is also open. For details, call (219) 531-7888.

Bullseye Bombers meet on Saturdays

VALPARAISO | Bullseye Bombers Junior Olympic Archery meets Saturdays at the Deep River Bowmen Archery club on Ind. 149. Archers aged 6 and older are eligible. Cost is a $12 initial fee, $10 yearly membership fee and $8 for equipment -- if needed. For details, call Robert (916-3304), Corrine (405-7050) or Teri (252-9761), or email bbjoad@yahoo.com.

Tiny Tigers classes available at Valpo ATA

VALPARAISO | Tiny Tigers classes for kids aged 4 to 6 are available at Valpo ATA. Classes run from 4:30 to 5 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. For details, email valpoata@gmail.com.

Gump's Dugout offers lessons

KOUTS | Gump's Dugout Baseball/Softball School is available for team practices and one-on-one lessons. For details, call Andy at (219) 766-3109.

Sign-ups under way at Perpetual Motion

VALPARAISO | Core Performance at Perpetual Motion is taking sign-ups for its speed, strength and agility programs. The classes are available to those aged 8 to adult. For details, call (219) 476-7209, or visit www.perpetualsports.net.

East giving shooting lessons

MERRILLVILLE | Indiana Basketball Hall of Famer and former Merrillville coach Jim East is offering shooting lessons at the Fieldhouse-Merrillville. Lessons will be scheduled for the convenience of the player. Groups up to four players may be scheduled. For registration and costs, call (219) 662-8157 or (219) 308-5504.

Indiana Warriors seek 13U baseball players

The Indiana Warriors are looking for 13-and-under travel baseball players for the 2012 season. To schedule a tryout, call Nick Zubrenic at (219) 614-5486.

Hobart Storm needs 12U baseball players

HOBART | The 12-and-under Hobart Storm baseball team is looking for two elite players for the 2012 season. Those interested should call Scott at (219) 789-5470 or Matt at (219) 898-1567 for a tryout.

Raiders in need of softball players

The Indiana Raiders 10-and-under girls travel softball team is looking for a few players to complete its roster. They will play in NSA and ASA tournaments and will finish the season at the NSA World Series in Northwest Indiana. For details, contact Matt Skura at (219) 306-0549 or skura21@sbcglobal.net

Region Red Sox seeks adult players

The Region Red Sox are seeking  players for the 2012 Hoosier Baseball League season. Players must be at least 28 years old to play. League fees and uniforms are supplied by a team sponsor. For details, contact Mike at regionredsox@yahoo.com.