This article will not be the "typical" TigerSportsNation.com commentary. We usually like to detail out each basketball game for those that do not have the opportunity to make it to the games. We do this in an attempt to provide a play-by-play style in order to capture the flow of each Tiger Basketball contest.

To do this for the IHSAA state championship game would be an exercise in futility for a few reasons. One because most of you have had the opportunity to read several articles on the game by now and two (more importantly) because 95% of you were actually at this game!

We had the distinct honor to be courtside for this title bout with media passes that gave us full access to the Conseco Field House grounds. While Joe (TSN photographer) was roaming the sidelines snapping the amazing pictures you will see in the photo gallery (CLICK HERE TO SEE SOME OF THOSE AMAZING PHOTOS) I chose to sit on the scorer's table side. I chose this side of the court for a few reasons. I wanted to hear the coaches as they called out instructions to their players during this fierce battle and I also wanted to see the "sea of orange" also known as Tiger Nation.

As the final seconds counted down on the pre-game warm up session, the public address announcer began to welcome everyone to Conseco Field House for the IHSAA 4A final between the Warsaw Tigers and the North Central Panthers. Just as he was set to introduce the starting lineups, the lights shut off and strobe lighting focused on center court. At that very moment I heard the journalist sitting next to me let out a "Wow, oh my goodness--look at all of that orange!"

You guessed it! I was sitting across from the Warsaw Tiger fans who had completely taken over three quarters of the arena. Some estimates had Tiger Nation at more than 7,000 in number to support their beloved Tigers.

Other than sheer numbers why is this so amazing?

Could it be that this day was the culmination of "each job counts" as Coach Doug Ogle has coined the phrase for this 2010 squad? Could it be that a community that was once labeled "the greatest basketball town" in Indiana was once again united to regain their swagger? Could it be the work of a WCHS administration filled with leaders who strive to bring the very best to their students and parents alike? Or a oft-maligned coach who had to endure the brunt of a few rogue community members to prove his worth and gain the respect he rightfully deserved?

D. All of the above.

Certainly, having the leading candidate for the 2011 Mr. Basketball award (Nic Moore) on your team helps. Throw in 3 seniors (Andy Conrad, Justin Clemens, and Zack Linky) who had played a ton of varsity minutes and provided unshakable poise in their ability to lead. On top of that, 2 young guns (Lucas Grose & Jordyn Coon) who exceeded everyone's wildest dreams of how good they would play this year and you see the fantastic result. The players all (including Brock Davis, Jalen Roscoe, Christopher O'Hara, Joey Sparkman & Cody Bragg) did their part to practice and prepare for this great tournament run.

But what this group of young men and coaches was able to accomplish goes way beyond the result of one final game in Indianapolis. It even supersedes any thought or dream drawn up in pre-season goal planning meetings.

The Tigers reunited Warsaw as a community.

What exactly does the word community mean?

My favorite definition is found in Wikipedia: A community is a group of interacting people sharing an environment. Traits such as intent, belief, resources, preferences, needs, risks, and a number of other conditions may be present and common, affecting the identity of the participants and their degree of cohesiveness.

Our environment is easy -- Warsaw, Indiana. The remaining conditions like (beliefs, resources, and preferences) well, let's just say that for 26 games with the focus on the last 8-10, those were made easy by this group of Tigers.

Tiger fans showed their support all over town. From grocery stores, to restaurants, to banks--you name it and the support was there. First it was Elkhart for the sectional championships and then off to Michigan City where Tiger Nation once again outnumbered every opponent. Next it was Huntington when a community like Fort Wayne, Indiana and their most notable fan base (Carroll Chargers) was once again done in by the uncountable orange shirts.

Finally, the city of Indianapolis witnessed Hoosier Hysteria in the form of a color. Tiger Orange!

The entire wholesale district which provides a home to the Circle Center Mall, great hotels, and amazing restaurants was overtaken by a united community of Warsaw folk. Friday night the people of Warsaw began to fill the streets of Indianapolis in anticipation of seeing their Tigers for the final time. By noon Saturday the downtown area surrounding Conseco Field House was "mini-Warsaw" as every corner and every establishment was full of Tiger fans.

At 2:00pm Tiger Nation began to flood the Omni Severin Hotel just two blocks from Conseco. A ballroom reserved for WCHS students and Tiger fans soon filled to capacity as food was being served, costumes were being assembled, faces were being painted, and fight songs were being played. Some two hours later the 10,000 square feet of lobby at the Omni was jam-packed full of orange as the Tiger Cheer Block led the massive crowd in a chant before heading over to the arena.

I personally heard an employee of the hotel say "Wow, I have never seen such a group of people who love their team like those crazy people in orange!"

What that employee was describing is simply the word community.

Community takes on a higher meaning when the preferences, beliefs, and needs have a common focus. For the past five months the community of Warsaw, Indiana was given that focus in the form of Tiger Basketball.

Led by a school superintendent who loves to live and work in Warsaw, Indiana the WCHS school administration put on a clinic of "how to lead". Sure, the coaches and players did the work, but you have to have leadership that enables these guys to do what they do best.

Coach Ogle has told Tiger fans and myself on several occasions this season that Dr. Craig Hintz, Principal Troy Akers and his team (Jennifer Shepherd, Dave Anson, Steve Ferber, & Rod Thomas), and Athletic Director Joe Santa have played an integral role in Tiger Basketball the past few seasons. None more important that this year. Great work team!

Led by the man his peers refer to as Douglas T. Ogle, the 2010 Warsaw Tigers basketball team played amazing basketball. They finished the season as the 2nd best team in Indiana after playing one of the toughest schedules any basketball team had to face all season long. They won a whopping 23 games which is the 3rd most in the last 30 years of this tradition-rich program. This team captured the NLC title by going perfect in conference play. They won a sectional, regional, and semi-state crowns on their way to winning 88 percent of their games played. Over the past two seasons the Tigers have an incredible record of 42 wins against just 6 defeats.

Let's give credit where credit is due shall we?

Coach Ogle has proven to this community as well as to the entire state of Indiana that he is and always has been the best decision to lead this program. His career record in 25 seasons at Warsaw is 390-90. Where else are you going to look to find a coach who wins 81% of their games as the leader of a sports program? Great job Coach Ogle, you certainly have given us all to a reason to cheer. Not only this year, but for the many years of service you have given to this community.

How about our departing seniors?

We will certainly miss you Andy Conrad. Your big smile that warms our hearts and your "it's all good" attitude that puts us all at ease.

Big Z (Zack Linky) you have given us much to cheer about! From big 3-point baskets to your tenacious defense, you will be hard to replace.

And Justin "Biggish" Clemens, thanks for all the memories. Especially the last one:

WARSAW'S JUSTIN CLEMENS NAMED TRESTER AWARD WINNER Following the game, members of the IHSAA Executive Committee named Justin Clemens of Warsaw High School as the winner of the Arthur L. Trester Mental Attitude Award in Class 4A Boys Basketball.

Clemens currently ranks 15th in his senior class of 457 students with a 12.4 GPA on a 12.0 scale and is a two-year member of the National Honor Society. He intends to study physical therapy at the University of Indianapolis beginning next fall.

Besides basketball, Clemens has competed in varsity football (quarterback) and track and will graduate as one of his school's most decorated student athletes in history. He was named Academic All-State in football last fall and is a likely candidate for the honor in basketball.

Clemens was also one of three Warsaw teammates that were featured in the IHSAA's Smoke-Free lifestyle campaign this winter.

He is the son of Gordon and Dana Clemens of Warsaw.

The award is named after the IHSAA's first commissioner who served the Association from 1929 to 1944. The award is annually presented to a senior participant in the state finals who best demonstrates mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability.

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the IHSAA's corporate partner, presented a $1,000 scholarship to Warsaw High School in the name of Clemens.

Atta boy, Biggish!

So what about the game you ask?

Well, we lost 95-74 to a more superior opponent.

But in the end...we...the community of Warsaw, Indiana -- Home of the FIGHTING TIGERS...we won!

And to that we say a heart-felt, face full of tears, huge hug around your neck THANK YOU! We are back! Go Tigers!

Posted In: Boy's Sports > Basketball

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