Zurcher Powers Panthers To Title
NAPPANEE – Host NorthWood claimed a championship and also made history while doing so Saturday night.
The Panthers pulled away from Fairfield for a 54-37 victory in the title tilt of the Winning Edge Holiday Tournament.
NorthWood, which defeated Tippecanoe Valley 58-43 in a semifinal game Friday night, improves to 7-0. That is the best start in program history for the Panthers.
The Panthers shot lights out in topping the Falcons. NorthWood hit 70 percent from the field and used a 14-4 scoring edge in the pivotal third quarter en route to the championship.
Zach Zurcher drained 11-13 shots from the field to score a game-high 22 points for the Panthers and earn Tournament MVP honors.
Jonathan Wilkinson had 15 points for the Panthers in the win.
Valley bounced back Saturday night to top Rochester 45-41 in the consolation contest.
Tanner Andrews, the senior standout for the Vikings, was named to the all-tourney team. The NorthWood trio of Zurcher, Wilkinson and Will Stueve were also honored, along with Brock Goeglein of Fairfield and Luke Cannedy of Rochester.
Valley improves to 5-2 on the season. The Vikings play at Northfield Friday night.
NorthWood and Fairfield, which drops to 4-3, are scheduled to meet again at NorthWood Tuesday night in a makeup game.