The Warsaw Girl's basketball team knew if they could get a win Tuesday night, they could do no worse than tie for a Northern Lakes Conference title. Warsaw looked to improve to 6-0 in NLC action.

The class 4A #10 Elkhart Memorial Lady Crimson Chargers had different ideas. The Lady Chargers were looking to stay in the race after losses to Northridge and Northwood left them 3-2 in the NLC.

College basketball scouts from Wisconsin, Western Michigan, and Grace were on hand to witness this talent-laden battle at the Tiger Den.

Of course, the Lady Tigers feature senior standout Kelci Freds who averages just under 16 ppg. Warsaw also has junior Kayla Stout who has garnered the attention of college recruiters with her outstanding play this season.

Elkhart Memorial features future Wisconsin Badger, Jada Buggs, who can play inside and run the court like a wing. Buggs stands 6'0" and is a senior this year. Memorial also has sophomore guard Brionna Barnett and junior forward Akyah Taylor. All three of the Lady Charger starters certainly interest coaches at the next level.

Warsaw jumped out early as senior Kaelee Sands scored on a basket and a foul shot to give her team a 3-0 lead. Junior Kayla Stout followed suit with her own old-fashioned 3-point play for a 6-0 Tiger advantage.

After a basket by Lady Charger Haley King, senior Kelci Freds found her stroke from downtown for a 9-3 Lady Tiger lead at the 4:16 mark of the first. Freds was whooping and hollering with excitement as her squad took over the game early. She was pumped for this game.

Kayla Stout scored on a nice left hand lay-in and Sands added a free throw to complete the first quarter scoring for Warsaw.

Akyah Taylor scored 4 first quarter points to lead Memorial.

End of Quarter 1: Warsaw 12 - Elkhart Memorial 9

Kelci Freds converted two free throws to start the second quarter scoring.

Memorial sophomore Brionna Barnett responded with 6 consecutive points to give her squad their first lead of the game (16-14) with 5:59 left in the half.

Warsaw freshman sensation Lindsay Baker answered with two points for the Lady Tigers to knot the score at 22 apiece.

Memorial would put together a 5-0 run led by Taylor's 3-pointer from the left wing and Monica Jones's runner in the paint. Memorial jumped out to a 27-22 advantage with less than 1:00 to go.

Again, Kayla Stout and Kaelee Sands completed the scoring for Warsaw to end the second quarter of action. Stout a free throw and Sands a 2 point field goal as the NLC rivals would head to the locker room.

Memorial outscored the Lady Tigers 18-13 in the frame.

End of First Half: Elkhart Memorial 27 - Warsaw 25

Led by Kelci Freds, the 3rd period opened with an 8-0 Warsaw run.

Freds scored six points during the 4 minute Tiger spurt and Kayla Stout scored a basket. The Lady Tigers led 33-27 with 3:59 left in the 3rd period.

Using superb pressure defense on the ball, Memorial stormed back to close the frame with a 7-0 run of their own. Senior Jada Buggs scored 5 points during the run while Akyah Taylor rounded out the scoring with 2 of her own.

The low scoring 3rd quarter yielded just 15 total points as Warsaw outscored Memorial 8-7 to climb within one.

End of Quarter 3: Elkhart Memorial 34 - Warsaw 33

Warsaw continued to keep the game close until Brionna Barnett escaped Lady Tiger defenders for two HUGE 3-point field goals with 4:01 remaining.

Warsaw Coach Michelle Harter knew Barnett was a threat heading into the game.

"We knew we had to stop Barnett's outside shooting. We simply lost our focus. We managed to let Barnett get a few open looks and she hurt us. I told the girls after the game we are so close to winning these close games. We just have to find a way to focus for a full 32 minutes."

Barnett's long shots gave Memorial a lead they would never relinquish. Elkhart led 42-37 after her second bomb and pushed the lead to seven (44-37) on a basket by Jada Buggs.

Warsaw pulled within four (51-47) on a shot by Kaelee Sands, but Barnett answered by swishing 2 free throws to ice the game.

Freds nailed a half-court three point basket at the buzzer to end the game. Kelci led all scorers with 20 points.

Junior Akyah Taylor led the Lady Charges with 16 points and 12 rebounds, while Jada Buggs finished with 14 points and six rebounds. Brionna Barnett added 14 points and four rebounds.

Final Score: Elkhart Memorial 57 - Warsaw 52

Despite the loss, Warsaw can still claim the NLC crown this Saturday night with a victory over Class 3A #9 Northwood. The Lady Panthers are 15-2 (4-1 NLC) on the season and have already beaten Elkhart Memorial.

Saturday night's game is an opportunity for the Lady Tigers to claim the Northern Lakes trophy for the first time since 2004. This is going to be a big game especially for Warsaw's 8 graduating seniors which includes Kelci Freds. These girls have never experienced a taste of NLC glory.

Saturday night is also "PINK" night at the Tiger Den. Put on something PINK in support of Breast Cancer Awareness and come to the game to support your Lady Tiger girls. Go get that NLC crown, girls!

Complete coverage of Saturday's contest between Northwood and Warsaw will be posted here at www.TigerSportsNation.com

Posted In: Girl's Sports > Basketball

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