Distractions, titles aplenty for Bluffton

Preps Plus

Some notes from Wednesday.Wednesday

Carroll coach celebrates at familar site

Carroll tennis coach Kyle Stoffel was an assistant at Homestead for four years a couple of decades ago, and he got to celebrate his first regional title – boys or girls – on the Spartans' home court Wednesday.Wednesday

Video: Bishop Dwenger senior Julie Bazur

Bishop Dwenger senior Julie Bazur talks about the Saints’ eight-run fifth inning in Wednesday’s 15-3 win over Leo and the confidence the victory gives the team heading into tonight’s sectional title game against Woodlan.Wednesday

Bluffton has had a lot to deal with already this season, on and off the court.

The Tigers claimed a second straight ACAC tourney title Saturday with a 66-58 win over Woodlan at Memorial Coliseum without two players and with the wife of former coach Wayne Barker on their mind.

The two players, including senior Seth Thompson, were suspended for 25 percent of the season for disciplinary reasons and will return to the team. Thompson is the son of Bluffton athletic director Steve Thompson.

Wayne Barker's wife, Ingrid Barker, has been battling brain cancer. Wayne Barker is now the Bluffton-Harrison superintendent.

"It is so much of a family," said Bluffton coach Kevin Leising, who succeeded Barker as coach. "We have dealt with a lot of adversity, and there are things we are dealing with."

But the Tigers prevailed, even with tournament MVP Chandler Prible dealing with some illness against the Warriors. Prible scored 19 points for Bluffton.