FEATURE: Costume contest

Madison Hostetter, 10, left, smiled as her friend Kaylee Howard, 9, both of Jasper, rushed to hug her as they waited for results of a Halloween costume contest each participated in Saturday afternoon at Jaycee Park hosted by Jasper Jaycees Inc. in Jasper. Hostetter claimed first place for prettiest costume as a monster high doll. Howard dressed as a cheetah. "I get to act all pretty when I dress up, that's the best part about costumes," Madison said.

SPORTS: Jasper at Evansville Football

Jasper's Cole Sermersheim mentally prepared in the locker room before the Class 4A semifinal sectional game against Evansville Harrison on Friday night at Romain Stadium in Evansville. The Wildcats beat the Warriors 35-7, securing their spot in the sectional championship game next week against Evansville Central in Evansville.



Jasper's Markus Montee carefully wrapped his pointer finger and hands in the locker room at halftime during the Class 4A semifinal sectional game Friday night against Evansville Harrison at Romain Stadium in Evansville. The Wildcats beat the Warriors 35-7, securing their spot in the sectional championship game next week against Evansville Central in Evansville.



Jasper's Logan Hettinger wailed loudly as he roused his teammates up as he celebrated the 35-7 win over Evansville Harrison at the Class 4A semifinal sectional game Friday night at Romain Stadium in Evansville. The Wildcats beat the Warriors 35-7, securing their spot in the sectional championship game next week against Evansville Central in Evansville.

SPORTS FEATURE: Regional volleyball champs

Jasper's Tori Sermersheim, left, Erica Welp, Lydia Scherle and Paige Buschkoetter joyously screamed as they ran around the court after clinching the Class 3A volleyball regional championship Tuesday night at Cabby O'Neill Gymnasium in Jasper. Jasper beat Mount Vernon in four sets, 26-24, 18-25, 25-14, 25-19.



Jasper's Annie Huebner, left, Jaclyn Schmitt, Megan Sternberg, Rachel Bartley, Erica Welp and Tori Sermersheim joined hands as they leapt screaming with joy after clinching the Class 3A volleyball regional championship Tuesday night at Cabby O'Neill Gymnasium in Jasper. Jasper beat Mount Vernon in four sets, 26-24, 18-25, 25-14, 25-19.

FEATURE: Halloween Wedding

Newlywed Mike Taber of Jasper, left, laughed after he swooped in to bite the neck of his wife Stacey Taber (Kiefer) with his fake vampire fangs, but instead kissed her within an hour of being married in front of a group of friends and family at halloween costume party Saturday evening at their new home in Velpen. The wedding was a surprise, and they only told Taber's best man Brian Mounts of Jasper and Kiefer's maid of honor, her mother Darlene Mann of Ireland. "As I look back, my life really was not complete until I met her. She loves the things I do: sports, fishing, the food I eat, all of that. It's very rare to find someone that compatible," Mike Taber said. "It's just been a phenomenal road so far, and I hope the road never ends. She's truly a blessing, a great woman, a great mother and now, for me, a great wife."

FEATURE: Spell Bowl

Holy Family School eighth-grader Nicole Nord, 13, left, smiled as she raised her hand to signal to her teammates she spelled the word "streptococcic" correctly as Karen Hill of Pike Central Middle School, a moderator, gave Nord compliments on completing a tough word during the Hoosier Spell Bowl Junior Division area contest Tuesday night at Jasper Middle School. Streptococcic is defined as any of a genus (Streptococcus) of spherical, Gram-positive bacteria that divide in only one plane and occur generally in chains: some species cause various serious diseases. "That last word, I knew I knew it. I practiced it over and over," Nicole said. "It's such a relief to get that word right in such a tense and stressful situation. I was nervous, but so happy once I spelled that correctly."

FEATURE: Grandma's Attic

Mila Vernon of Jasper, 12, looked over to her friend Kerrigan Welp of Jasper, 11, who belted out in laughter as she started modeling a hat along with other clothes she found in the clothes trunk for Vernon's sister Maddie, 9, (not pictured) in Grandma's Attic on Sunday afternoon at the Dubois County Museum.

SPORTS: Forest Park celebration

Forest Park's Kayla Brahm, left, Sydney Berg, Mackenzie Weyer and Sami Hopf let out a yell as they celebrated a point in the third match Saturday morning during the IHSAA Class 2A volleyball sectional in Ferdinand. The Lady Wildcats beat the Lady Rangers 25-23, 25-22 and 25-15.

SPORTS: Forest Park loses at sectional

Steam floated from Forest Park's Nathan Libbert as he bowed his head after losing to South Spencer 14-0 on Friday night during the IHSAA Class 2A Football Sectional in Reo.



Forest Park's Casey Abell, left, Alec Hassfurther, Miles Leonard and Lance Buechler forced South Spencer's Jake Burden to the ground on third down in the first quarter Friday night during the IHSAA Class 2A Football Sectional in Reo. The Rangers lost to the Rebels 14-0.



Forest Park's Justin Freyberger, left, and Nathan Libbert cheer on the defense from the sideline in the last four minutes of the fourth quarter Friday night during the IHSAA Class 2A Football Sectional against South Spencer in Reo. The Rangers lost to the Rebels 14-0.



Forest Park's Austin Kempf leapt to tackle South Spencer's Jared Lauer as he grappled him to the ground on third down to force a punt in the second quarter Friday night during the IHSAA Class 2A Football Sectional in Reo. The Rangers lost to the Rebels 14-0.



Forest Park's Lynk Kordes, left, Jhett Bieker and Dylan Popplewell cried together as they exchanged hugs after losing to South Spencer 14-0 on Friday night during the IHSAA Class 2A Football Sectional in Reo.

SPORTS: Friday Night Lights

Forest Park's Dylan Popplewell let out a grunt as he cheered on the field after stopping South Spencer on third down in the first quarter Friday night during the IHSAA Class 2A Football Sectional in Reo. The Rangers lost to the Rebels 14-0.

SPORTS: NE Dubois Volleyball loss

Northeast Dubois' Kaylan Jacob, far right, cried on the shoulder of teammate Rachel Breitwieser as she and other teammates paired up to console each other with hugs in the locker room Thursday night after losing to Springs Valley during the IHSAA Class 1A Volleyball Sectional tournament in Orleans. The Jeeps were eliminated after losing the match to Springs Valley in three sets, 27-25, 25-13 and 25-21. "I'm definitely going to miss this," Jacob said. "These girls, they are my closest friends. We're family. I'm truly sad it's all over."



Northeast Dubois senior Jesse Hasenour, left, Josh Dorsey and Toren Land cheer along with about 30 other students in the student section for the Northeast Dubois volleyball team Thursday night during the IHSAA Class 1A Volleyball Sectional tournament in Orleans. The Jeeps were eliminated after losing the match to Springs Valley in three sets, 27-25, 25-13 and 25-21.



Northeast Dubois' Alexa Rasche swayed backward as she avoided touching a ball as it sailed out of bounds Thursday night during the IHSAA Class 1A Volleyball Sectional tournament in Orleans. The Jeeps were eliminated after losing the match to Springs Valley in three sets, 27-25, 25-13 and 25-21.



Northeast Dubois' Emily Lueken shed a single tear as she embraced teammate Lindsey Elliot in the locker room after losing to Springs Valley on Thursday night during the IHSAA Class 1A Volleyball Sectional tournament in Orleans. The Jeeps were eliminated after losing the match to Springs Valley in three sets, 27-25, 25-13 and 25-21.

FEATURE: Like a good neighbor ...

Kathy Goss of Jasper smiled as she embraced neighbor Isabella Harmon of Jasper, 4, as she waited for her siblings Quentin, 9, and Ava, 7, to finish their youth hockey practice Wednesday night at Skate Palace in Jasper. "I'm like a grandmother to all of these kids," Goss said. "Isabella is just such a sweetheart, and just a good little girl. I love these kids like they were my own."

FEATURE: So many Cades

Cade Reed of Otwell, 5, playfully stuck his tongue out Sunday as he looked back at his mother Emily, a Jasper native, and grandmother Vivian reed as he walked down an old, grass-covered railroad track outside of the Schaeffer Barn in Jasper. Cade was on his way to see his grandparents Nathan and Beth Schnellenberger, both of Jasper.

SPORTS FEATURE: CCJ Flag Football

Kenny Korthaus, 12, of Jasper ran up the sideline as he attempted to juke away from having his flag pulled by opponents Austin Alles, left, and Rhiley Eckert, both of Jasper and 15, during a five-on-five flag football tournament Sunday at Christian Church of Jasper.



Jared Schnarr, bottom, celebrated as teammate Grant Brescher, both 16 and of Jasper, leapt onto his back after as Schnarr scored the second touchdown of the game during Chili Bowl IV, a five-on-five flag football tournament Sunday at Christian Church of Jasper. Schnarr and Brescher were joined by teammates Rhiley Eckert, 15, Andy Knust, 16, and Austin Alles, 15, all of Jasper.

FEATURE: Weekend at Melvyn's

Mallory Wollenmann of Evansville, 4, left, crossed the monkey bars with the help of her grandfather Melvyn Evans of Jasper, who also held up Mallory's 1-year-old sister, Olivia, as the trio played Saturday afternoon at Evans' home. The two girls were spending time at their grandparents' home while their parents were on vacation.

SPORTS: Mount Vernon at Jasper football

Jasper's Kade Elliott, center, and his teammates run up the sideline and cheer as Cole Sermersheim scored on a 79-yard touchdown run Friday night at Jerry Brewer Alumni Stadium. Jasper beat Mount Vernon 37-21.



Jasper's Jon Thomas hovered over Mount Vernon's Calvin King after tackling him with teammate Devon Traylor on a kick return Friday night at Jerry Brewer Alumni Stadium. Jasper beat Mount Vernon 37-21.



Jasper's Logan Hettinger leapt into the air yelling as he celebrated a successful two-point conversion in the second quarter Friday night at Jerry Brewer Alumni Stadium. Jasper beat Mount Vernon 37-21.

SPORTS: Halftime pep talk

Jasper's Connor Giesler sat solemnly in the locker room as he listened to coaches at halftime Friday night at Jerry Brewer Alumni Stadium. Jasper beat Mount Vernon 37-21.

SPORTS: Jasper vs. Castle, regional loss

Jasper's Reed Stetter stood sternly without a poncho in front of his teammates as they listened to head coach Kyle Kendall at halftime Thursday night during class 2A boys soccer regional semi-finals in Washington. Castle beat Jasper 1-0.



Castle's Lucas Woodford, left, and Jasper's Tyler Huckelby challenged each other mid-air to head the ball Thursday night during class 2A boys soccer regional semi-finals in Washington. Castle beat Jasper 1-0.



Jasper's Michael Flynn, left, held teammate Edgar Chevez as he bowed his head within seconds of Thursday night's loss to Castle during class 2A boys soccer regional semi-finals in Washington. Castle beat Jasper 1-0.



Jasper's Kyle Thimling headed the ball upfield during the first half against Castle on Thursday night during class 2A boys soccer regional semi-finals in Washington. Castle beat Jasper 1-0.



Jasper's Leighton Hochgesang shut his eyes as teammate Conner Braun buried his head in his hands on the team bus waiting to leave for home as the two coped with Thursday night's loss to Castle during class 2A boys soccer regional semi-finals in Washington. Castle beat Jasper 1-0.

SPORTS: Girls Cross Country Sectional

Heritage Hills seniors Kiersten Kennedy, second from left, and Shaylyn Ayer hugged after the Patriots received the sectional trophy while Stephanie Schaefer, left, and Annastacia Sumbles joined the celebration Tuesday night at Vincennes University Jasper Campus. Kennedy placed sixth and Ayer finished fourth to help the Patriots edge Perry Central by 11 points and claim the program's fourth sectional title in the last five years.



Southridge's Alexis Tormohlen paced herself as she ran uphill on Tuesday evening's cross country sectional at Vincennes University Jasper Campus. Tormohlen finished in 25th place in 24 minutes, 9.38 seconds.



Southridge's Corey Oser. left, and Rhegann Fetter, right, guided teammate Kendra Gehlhausen away from the finish line as she collapsed, unable to walk on her own after finishing in 28th place in 24 minutes, 17.25 seconds during Tuesday evening's cross country sectional at Vincennes University Jasper Campus.

FEATURE: Boy Scout on route

Austin Rawlins of Jasper, 10, left, laughed as he joked with neighbor Kent Taylor of Jasper, who has bought popping corn from Rawlins for the last five years, and was delighted to find him featured on some of the Boy Scout food sales products as Rowlins went door-to-door to sell popcorn to his neighbors Tuesday afternoon in Jasper. Rawlins is a Webelos 2 Cub Scout in Pack 182. Taylor is also the principal at Rawlins' school, 10th Street Elementary School. "We think so much of him," Taylor said. "He's just as down to Earth as everybody else, but can rough house with the boys, I'm sure. He's a good kid, a good student, but one with a lot of talent."

WEEK OF SPORTS: The features

In the last week, I've had seven sports assignment within five days. A lot of celebration, jubilation, dejection and action. Here's a taste of the feature photos, and another post below shows the action.



Jasper's Moises Valenciano, left, Nathan Leibering and Sam Hahn prayed together with the rest of their team in the locker room after beating Washington 14-7 on Friday night in Washington.



Jasper's Kyle Thimling, left, Caleb Williams and Christian Leinenbach held New Albany's net up laughing and celebrating as they each cutting a section off for themselves Saturday after securing the IHSAA Boys Soccer Sectional Championship title at Floyd Central High School in Floyds Knobs. Jasper beat New Albany 2-1 in overtime.



Northeast Dubois senior Kami Knies cried as she hugged teammate Kendra Wineinger after losing 6-1 Thursday night to Forest Park at the IHSAA 2A Girls Soccer Sectional in Bretzville.



Jasper's Ben Brooks, left, Austin Blessinger, Nathan Leibering, Dillon Wagner and Jon Thomas celebrated after beating Washington 14-7 on Friday night in Washington.



Nathan Helsley, who scored Jasper's lone goal in regulation play Saturday, smiled as the rest of his Wildcat soccer teammates hoisted the Class 2A sectional trophy following a 2-1 overtime win over New Albany at Floyds Knobs. The Wildcats won their first soccer sectional crown since 2005. The Heritage Hills girls soccer team, meanwhile, won its first sectional title in school history.



Heritage Hills' Kaebra LaGrange celebrated after scoring a point Tuesday night against Southridge in Lincoln City. LaGrange recorded 15 kills in the five-set match, which Heritage Hills won with a 15-8 final set.



Forest Park's Olivia Uebelhor, left, cheered alongside teammates Lindsey Sermersheim, Madi Boeglin and Demi Jahn along with the rest of the team at halftime with a 4-0 lead over Northeast Dubois Thursday night at the IHSAA 2A Girls Soccer Sectional in Bretzville. The Jeeps lost to the Rangers 6-1.



Northeast Dubois' Jesse Hasenour sat at the fence behind his team's bench crying as he dealt with the 4-1 loss to Washington Catholic on Wednesday night at the IHSAA Boys Soccer Sectional in Dubois.



Heritage Hills varsity volleyball players Kaylee Zoglman, left, Felicia Leibering, Kelsey Wahl, Abby Fischer, Kaebra LaGrange and other teammates celebrated as they cheered together in the locker room after defeating Southridge in a five-set match Tuesday night in Lincoln City. Heritage Hills won the fifth set 15-8.



Jasper's Holly Renner, left, held her face closely as she embraced teammate Laura Renner on Saturday evening after losing the IHSAA Girls Soccer Sectional Championship game to Floyd Central 2-1 in regular time in Jeffersonville.

WEEK OF SPORTS: The action

In the last week, I've had seven sports assignment within five days. A lot of celebration, jubilation, dejection and action. Here's a taste of the action photos, and another post will show the features.



Northeast Dubois goalie Jade Hoffman reached out in an attempt to save the ball as Forest Park's Adi Dilger, left, and Megan Grundhoefer continue to attack the goal, resulting in the fifth goal of Thursday night's game at the IHSAA 2A Girls Soccer Sectional in Bretzville. Northeast Dubois lost to Forest Park 6-1.



Jasper's Caleb Williams, left, flinched as he and New Albany's Josue Munoz Alcala wrapped up in each other's arms in a fight for possession of the ball Saturday at IHSAA Boys Soccer Sectional Championship at Floyd Central High School in Floyds Knobs. Jasper beat New Albany 2-1 in overtime.



Jasper's Jesse Schmitt ran ahead to block for teammate Devon Traylor who was tackled by Washington's Nathan Ramaj on Friday night in Washington. The Wildcats beat the Hatchets 14-7.



Jasper's Nick Hale, from left, Jon Thomas, Moises Valenciano and Max Bawel along with a majority of Jasper's defense work together to tackle Washington's Teylor Smith during the first quarter Friday night in Washington. The Wildcats beat the Hatchets 14-7.



Jasper's Ben Seng backhanded the ball close to his body as he returned it toward Loogootee's Bryce Wilz and Will Nonte during the No. 2 Doubles match Wednesday afternoon at the IHSAA Boys Tennis Regional in Jasper.



Jasper's Holly Renner, center left, fought for a header on a corner kick in the second half against Floyd Central's Lauren Haley on Saturday evening at IHSAA Girls Soccer Sectional Championship in Jeffersonville. Jasper lost to Floyd Central 2-1 in regular time.