Warsaw traveled North Friday night to stage war against another NLC opponent, the Northridge Raiders. Over the past seven seasons, Coach Doug Ogle's Tigers hold a 4 to 3 wins advantage in the season series. This annual contest has turned into a classic NLC rivalry game.

For the Tiger's four returning letterman from last season --this game had significant importance.

Last year at this time (January 9th, 2008 to be specific) the Warsaw Tigers were a perfect 8-0 as the Northridge Raiders came to town. The ironic part to that night was the fact that Northridge was also a perfect 8-0 as they entered the Tiger Den. Something had to give.

Unfortunately for Warsaw they did the giving. Northridge escaped the Tiger Den with a 52-47 victory that ended the Warsaw winning streak. The Raiders went on to win 21 consecutive games before losing in the Sectional 4 Finals to Elkhart Memorial.

Northridge entered Friday night's battle with a 2-6 (0-1 NLC) record while the Tigers came in at 7-2 (1-0 NLC). Although Northridge graduated 5 seniors and 95% of their scoring from last year, Warsaw still had a score to settle with the Raiders.

From the moment sophomore Lucas Grose controlled the opening tip of this game, Warsaw inflicted punishment to the Raiders on their own turf. Tiger senior Andy Conrad opened the scoring with an offensive rebound and put back on the first possession.

Junior Nic Moore guided the Warsaw offense with precision passing in transition. Moore found senior Justin Clemens on the 2nd trip down the court for a quick 4-0 Warsaw lead. Nic connected with Clemens again just forty seconds later to put the Tigers up six with 6:29 remaining in the 1st period.

After three Andy Conrad free throws in four attempts, Clemens again scored in transition to give Warsaw an eleven point advantage (11-0). Northridge called for a timeout to stop the bleeding.

Coach Doug Ogle came out of the time out with his Tigers in full court pressure. The pressure forced a Northridge turnover as Andy Conrad stole the ball. Conrad again dished the ball to fellow senior Justin Clemens for 13-0 Tiger lead. Warsaw's swarming defensive effort over the first five minutes just wreaked havoc on the young Raider squad.

Northridge finally notched their first points of the contest on a free throw by sophomore Gavin Blyly with 2:27 to go in the quarter.

The Tigers would respond immediately. Nic Moore leaned in for a jump shot that caromed of the back iron. Lucas Grose skied above all rebounders in an attempt for a throw-down slam dunk of Moore's miss. Though Grose missed the attempt as his hands rattled the basket, his effort allowed Clemens to secure the board and a put back score. Warsaw led 15-1.

The Tigers took their biggest lead of the frame when Grose assisted senior Zack Linky's lay-up for a 17-1 advantage with just over a minute remaining.

Craig Thomas, who led all Raider scorers with 11 points scored to make it 17-3 before teammate Justin Yoder connected on a lay-up as the first quarter buzzer sounded.

Warsaw's seniors did all of the scoring in the period for the Tigers. Justin Clemens led with 10, Andy Conrad - 5, and Zack Linky - 2

End of First Quarter: Warsaw 17 - Northridge 5

The first four minutes of the second quarter belonged to junior all-state guard Nic Moore. Moore had his hands involved in the first nine Tiger points during a 9-0 run that would blow this contest wide open.

Nic started the offensive barrage with a gorgeous pass to fellow junior Jalen Roscoe. Roscoe converted the lay in for a 19-5 lead. Moore then scored on a Ogle designed in-bounds play on the next possession.

After another Raider misfire, Moore pulled up from 20 feet in transition to nail his first 3-point bomb with 5:14 on the clock. Northridge could only call timeout to keep the Tiger standout off the court. Moore was on fire or shall we say "en fuego" y'all. Warsaw leads 24-5.

Coach Ogle again switches the defense out of the timeout to full court pressure. Northridge cannot get the ball across the 10-second line for another turnover. Guess who get his hands back on the rock? Yep - Nic Moore.

Moore promptly delivers a strike to forward Andy Conrad for a whopping 26-5 Tiger lead. Pay back is on.

Craig Thomas scores the only Raider points of the quarter with just over a minute left for Northridge. Sometimes just breaking the ice feels good. Thomas's basket drew a light smattering of applause as the Raider fans were witnessing an old fashioned beat down on this night.

Juniors Joey Sparkman and Jalen Roscoe connected on a nice play that resulted in a Roscoe basket to end the first half scoring for Warsaw. Warsaw outscored Northridge 11-2 in the period to take a commanding 21 point intermission lead.

End of first half: Warsaw 28 - Northridge 7

Northridge struck first in the 3rd with a free throw from Malcolm Thurmond. Kolin Adams then connected on the Raiders' only 3-pointer (1 for 12) of the game to make it 28-12.

The Tigers answered with an incredible 17-4 run to gain their largest lead of the night(29 points) at 45-16.

During the six minute run Nic Moore and Zack Linky connected from down town 3-point land for the Tigers. Moore also hit 3 of 4 free throws for a total of 6 points in the quarter. Linky added his 3 while Jordyn Coon, Andy Conrad, Jalen Roscoe, and Joey Sparkman rounded out the 17 point onslaught.

Sparkman's basket made the Tiger fans ooh and ahh. Joey stole the ball from Raider guard AJ Miller. As Sparkman headed toward the basket he flipped the ball to Nic Moore. As both Northridge defenders followed the basketball headed toward Moore with their eyes, Nic touch-passed it right back to a wide open Sparkman for an easy basket.

Both Sparkman and Moore smiled on their way back down the court as the Warsaw fans were entertained with their performance. The smiles on the Tiger faces were a welcomed sight for the Warsaw faithful. Their team is fun to watch, especially when the boys are having fun themselves.

Raider guard Luke Davis ended the run with a lay-up as time expired in the 3rd frame. Warsaw outscored Northridge 17-11 in the quarter.

End of 3rd Quarter: Warsaw 45 - Northridge 16

Northridge would outscore the Tigers in the final frame 16-15. Warsaw reserves Brock Davis, Christopher O'Hara, Cody Bragg, Jalen Roscoe, and Clay Anderson garnered the majority of the playing time. The Tigers continued to run their offensive sets and play sound defense as the second unit gained much deserved playing time on this one-sided affair.

For the game, Warsaw shot an amazing 59% (24/41) from the floor including 83% (5/6) from beyond the arc. Nic Moore hit 3 long range bombs while Zack Linky added 2 for the Tigers.

Warsaw did not fare so well from the foul line as they shot just 37% (7/19) on the night.

Warsaw forced 13 Raider turnovers while turning those mistakes into 15 offensive points. The Tigers controlled the glass as they outrebounded Northridge 33-16. Lucas Grose and Andy Conrad led Warsaw with 5 rebounds each.

Complete Scoring for Warsaw:

Nic Moore - 14, Justin Clemens - 12, Andy Conrad - 9, Zack Linky - 8, Jalen Roscoe - 8, Jordyn Coon - 2, Joey Sparkman - 2, Lucas Grose - 2, Clay Anderson - 2, Brock Davis - 1

Final Score: Warsaw 60 - Northridge 34

The victory improved the Tiger record to 8-2 (2-0 NLC) on the season. Warsaw will host NLC foe Goshen next Friday night (1/15) at the Tiger Den. The home is the only contest scheduled for the Tiger Den in January for the Warsaw Boys. Plan on coming out and showing your support as the Tigers look for their 10th win in 12 tries and try to remain perfect in the Northern Lakes Conference.

Complete coverage of the Tigers will printed here at www.TigerSportsNation.com

Posted In: Boy's Sports > Basketball

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