By GARRETT WENZEL

The Kingsmen boys basketball team headed to South Bend to face the Clay Colonials on Tuesday, Dec. 5, to open the 2017-18 season. The Kingsmen scored a 70-60 victory in the Northern Indiana Conference battle.

Noah Applegate paced Penn with 30 points. Noah Krathwohl muscled inside for 18 points, and Kegan Hoskins had a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Drew Lutz dished out nine assists.

In the first quarter, both teams exchanged baskets back and forth, but the Gold-and-Black Attack had a 10-4 run the end the first quarter as the Kingsmen lead 20-12 after the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Kingsmen took control with having runs of 10-3 and 9-3 and lead the Colonials 40-22 at the half. Noah Applegate led the Kingsmen with 20 points in the first half.

Penn High School’s Sounds of the Season concert is set to be one of the highlights of the Holiday Season.

The performances are set for 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 8, and 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 10.

Tickets are $6 in advance and $8 at the door.

Click here to purchase tickets online or they can be purchased at Penn during lunch hours.

Tickets are also available on the night of the concert one hour before show time at the box office.

Jordyn Smith scored 19 points as the Penn Kingsmen Girls Basketball Team rolled to an 81-19 victory against South Bend Clay in Northern Indiana Conference competition on Monday, Dec. 4.

Tia Chambers and Trinity Clinton scored 16 points each for the Kingsmen.

The Penn Kingsmen boys wrestling team placed third in the Lake Central Harvest Classic on Saturday, Dec. 2.

Kingsmen results:

106 – Nate Hadary, third

113 – Evan Light, fifth

120 – Vince Sparrow, fifth

126 – Tanner DeMien, second

132 – Logan Hill, fifth

138 – Preston Risner, third

145 – Jeffrey Harper, fourth

152 – Austin Heater, fifth

170 – Noah Brown, fourth

182 – Ben Kahl, fourth

195 – Chris Momotiuk, sixth

285 – Hezzy Devault, fifth

P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker was recognized last night (Thursday, Nov. 30) as Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents (IAPSS) 2017 Outstanding Educator of the Year!

This is the second time Dr. Thacker has received this prestigious honor from his IAPSS peers; the first time was in 2013. He was also named Indiana Superintendent of the Year in 2012 and received the Sagamore of the Wabash in 2014—Indiana’s highest award—from then Governor Mike Pence. He has also been recognized as Alumnus of the Year from both IUSB and Bethel College.

Dr. Thacker began his career in education in Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation as a 6th grade teacher at Madison Elementary School. Having filled a variety of leadership roles at districts across Indiana and Michigan, in July 2006 he returned to the P-H-M schools to serve as superintendent. Under Dr. Thacker’s leadership, the Indiana Department of Education has consistently named P-H-M an “A” Rated School District. The School Corporation now ranks in the state’s top 4% of public school districts with nine Four Star Schools.

Sara Doi scored 22 points as Penn stormed past Jimtown, 78-12, in Northern Indiana Conference Girls Basketball play on Friday, Dec. 1.

Jordyn Smith scored 12 points for the Kingsmen, and Antreese Shelton contributed 10 points.

Trinity Clinton scored nine points, and Tia Chambers worked inside for eight points.

Tia Chambers powered inside to score 21 points and lead Penn to a 55-37 victory against Marian in a key Northern Indiana Conference showdown on Tuesday, Nov. 28.

Sara Doi scored 11 points for the Kingsmen, followed by Trinity Clinton with eight points and Jordyn Smith with seven points.

Freshman Trinity Clinton fired in 19 points as the Penn Kingsmen beat Elkhart Central, 54-36, in girls basketball action on Saturday, Nov. 25.

The Kingsmen rallied from a 24-20 halftime deficit to overpower the Blue Blazers in the second half.

Tia Chambers scored 12 points, Sara Doi scored 11 points, and Jordyn Smith scored 10 points.

Penn won the final event, the 400 freestyle relay, to rally for a thrilling 92-91 victory against Munster on Saturday, Nov. 25.

Matt Rach, Kyle Brothers, Aaron Dies, Evan Dies won the 400 freestyle relay to give the Kingsmen the stunning victory.

Complete results are here.

It wasn’t the way the Penn High School Football Team wanted the season to end, a 63-14 loss to Indianapolis Ben Davis in the Class 6-A State Championship Game on Saturday, Nov. 25.

But the 2017 Penn Football Team carved out a lasting legacy, and embarked on a remarkable journey that will own a proud place in the Kingsmen Athletics pantheon.

A Photo Gallery of the State Championship Game is posted below.

Penn’s Football Team suffered a season opening 12-7 loss at Valparaiso, and then struggled in the second game of the season, a 7-0 victory against Merrillville.

Then, inspired by exceptional Senior Leadership and guided by the Kingsmen Coaching Staff under the direction of Head Coach Cory Yeoman, the Gold and Black turned their season around.

In Game Three, the Kingsmen traveled three hours to Berkley, Mich., to take on traditional Michigan powerhouse Brother Rice. Penn blasted to a 38-0 victory, igniting an amazing run.

Penn rolled through its next six regular-season contests, wrapping up the Northern Indiana Conference Championship with a 48-7 victory against arch-rival Mishawaka.

In the Sectional opener, the Kingsmen traveled to Valparaiso, turning the tables on the Vikings for a 13-0 victory.

Penn wrapped up the Sectional Crown with a 40-0 victory against Warsaw, and then won the Regional Championship with a 33-3 victory at Crown Point.

Penn punched its ticket to the State Championship Game by slugging defending State Champion Carmel, 34-7, eliminating the team that ousted Penn the previous season. In beating the Greyhounds on their home turf, the Kingsmen earned a berth to Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, for the State Championship.

On Sunday, the community honored the Penn Football Team for overcoming adversity to make 2017 a Championship season with Northern Indiana Conference, Sectional, Regional and Semi-state trophies.

At the Community Celebration, Penn-Harris-Madison Supt. Dr. Jerry Thacker praised the Penn football team for its commitment to excellence and for embodying the Triangle of Success that has P-H-M ranked as the Gold Standard in Indiana.  Dr. Thacker also thanked the parents, staff and students for their involvement in the commitment to excellence.

Penn Principal Sean Galiher congratulated Penn Football, the parents, students and all who made a tremendous team effort that saw the Kingsmen reach the State Championship game.

Penn Athletic Director Aaron Leniski lauded Penn football for an outstanding cumulative GPA of 3.27, and for being outstanding role models for the youth of P-H-M.

Penn Football Head Coach Cory Yeoman, with Senior DB Paul Moala, thanked all involved – players, parents, students, staff & community – for the tremendous effort that took Penn to the State Championship Game.