WCHS Tiger Den
December 3, 2010

		F
	FW South Side Archers	72
	#3 Warsaw Tigers (3-0)	90

Okay people...ALL people that reside ANYWHERE near Warsaw, Indiana...Read the next few lines:

• 1. Get a copy of the 2010/2011 Warsaw Boys Basketball Schedule (easily found on TSN.com)
• 2. Get off of your couch and get to the Tiger Den - You gotta see this!
• 3. Be prepared to be entertained by Coach Doug Ogle's team as they play Indiana's most beloved pastime - and play it well. We are all in for something special - AGAIN...
• 4. Oh and yeah, pay special attention to jersey #11

Events are taking place that have not happened since 1965 (HINT HINT)...

Fresh off two easy victories the Tiger boys basketball team hosted one of the 3 teams that were able to beat them last season, the Fort Wayne South Side Archers. Last year South Side beat Warsaw 69-57 in Fort Wayne despite Nic Moore's 31 point outburst.

The Tigers were seeking revenge as they hosted their foes from US30 east and their junior Purdue recruit, Raphael Davis. The stage was set for a battle of NCAA Division 1A basketball stars here in Warsaw, Indiana. Nic Moore (Illinois St. Redbirds) vs. Davis (Purdue Boilermakers).

This game did not disappoint.

From the opening tip Moore and Davis declared war on their respective opponent. Each scoring at will for the first 3 minutes of play. And then like the flip of a light switch #11 took over.

Moore was battling a case of the stomach flu and in an eerily similar performance to Michael Jordan's 1997 NBA finals miracle in Utah, Moore bedazzled and amazed all in attendance. The 2010 Mr. Basketball candidate dominated this basketball game - and not only dominated Raphael Davis -- #11 could not be stopped by all 5 players on the court for South Side.

Scoring the first 9 Tiger points in front of his beloved home fans, Moore poured in 14 first quarter points. Moore was hitting from beyond the arc, on the drive, and did not miss from the foul stripe - the ball was finding the bottom of the net nearly every time it left his hand.

End of 1st Quarter: Warsaw 23 - South Side 21

#11 continued the groove into quarter number two. He knocked down a few long range bombs before using a hesitation dribble that nearly broke South's Derrick Morrow's ankles for an easy lay-in. Tiger fans covered their eyes in awe, simply smiling in disbelief to Sic Nic's magic show.

The tally for #11 had reached 23 points by halftime as FW South continued to stay close.

Halftime Score: Warsaw 38 - South Side 37 The third period was just downright nasty. That's good if you are a Tiger fan and equally bad if you are an FW Archer.

The Tigers put together perhaps one of the best 8 minutes in WCHS history (dead serious here) to leave Fort Wayne South in the dust for good.

#11 opened with consecutive 3-point plays before picking up a loose ball on the defensive end. What happens next is EXACTLY why you have to come see this for yourself. Moore, ball in hand, raced down the court for a break-away layup. Defending was South Side senior Dustin Hall who is 5 inches taller than Sir Sic Nic (sounds Christmassy) - no matter. Moore cut off Hall using his body to gain the angle to the hoop and at the same time rendering Hall helpless to defend without fouling. Another two points and another 3,500 fans on their feet shaking their heads.

It's a another level. I'm telling you it is.

45 seconds later...another ridiculous display. After a Jalen Roscoe attempt bounces high of the right side of the rim, Sir Sic Nic leaps over three 6 foot-somethings to tip the ball into the basket. Ok, now we start counting...

The tip in gives Moore 33 points on the night (10 for the quarter) and the clock still shows 3:17 to play in the 3rd. Seriously? Wow, this could be a huge night...

A floater in the lane takes the total to 35 and gives the Tigers a commanding 53-39 advantage. The Archers have lost control of the game and they too have become spectators at this point. No longer is the question who will win, but how many will Nic Moore score on this night?

Drano! A three pointer from the left wing - 38 points thru 3 quarters. Moore outscored the entire FW South team (including Purdue-bound Davis) 15 to 9 in the third period.

End of Quarter #3: Warsaw 68 - South Side 46 - Nic Moore 38

A pair of free throws at the 6:05 mark runs the total to 40.

Now the Tiger crowd is asking folks around them what the record is and who has it? Some speculate Jeff Grose. Others say Kevin Ault. Both Mr. Basketball winners for the Tigers. A few "veteran fans" are throwing out names like the late Charlie Mackenzie and Mike Niles. Nobody knows for sure, except Athletic Director Joe Santa and the media. Does Nic know? How about Coach Ogle? Now it get's intense as a fan.

Two more free throws equal 42. Then a glimpse of a super hero. Driving the length of the court against defensive pressure, #11 takes off from mid-lane for a layup. He cups the basketball like Dominique Wilkins holding it out arm-extended to prevent a blocked shot. Moore draws the foul from the Archer defender before releasing the ball high off the backboard and through the net. C'mon Sic Nic!! Go crazy Tiger Nation!! Add the free throw and you get 45.

The clock now dwindled down to 1:47 left, Moore hits a pull up jumper from the foul line. 47...

Here you go. The fulfillment of the HINT HINT in paragraph one. The previous WCHS single-game scoring record dates back to December 1965. Held by Tiger great Mike Niles who scored an amazing 49 points that night forty five years ago. Were you even alive?

With precisely 1:05 on the Tiger Den scoreboard, Nic Moore buries a 20-foot three point jump shot from the right corner. The shot happens right in front of the Tiger bench - 3,500+ people now have their hands pointed skyward in sheer aghast. FIFTY - 50 - Fitty as Coach Ogle says it.

50 points in 1 game. #11 - Nic Moore.

Here are the individual numbers for the 2011 front-runner for Mr. Basketball:
16 of 24 from the field (6/10 3pts) = 38pts
12 of 12 from the foul line (100%) = 12 pts
TOTAL = 50

Incredible! You owe it to yourself to see this. Spend the $5. You can thank me later.

While this article is all things #11, the rest of the Tiger squad stepped up in this big game. Especially, senior Travis Thomas who drained 8 for 8 from the foul line. Thomas made some BIG foul shots for the Tigers. Junior Jay Holladay knocked down two CLUTCH three pointers. Jordyn Coon made 5 big time shots to cement his role as Robin. Batman #11 definitely has the cast to give Tiger fans a sequel to 2010.

Final Score: Warsaw 90 - FW South Side 72 - Nic Moore 50

Here is the complete scoring for Warsaw:

The Tigers (3-0) get a week break before hosting the Rochester Zebras next Friday night December 10. Now do yourself this favor. Be there.

Go Tigers!

EDITOR'S NOTE:
Congratulations to Nic Moore on being named the WPTA (Fort Wayne) Channel 21 Player of the Week! Nic is being recognized for his 50-points scored in the Tiger win over FW South Side last Friday night. Nic broke a 45-year old record with his performance. He will be featured on the Channel 21 6:00 pm sports telecast this Thursday.

TICKETS STILL REMAIN FOR BASKETBALL GAMES VS. TRITON AND HALL OF FAME CLASSIC
Tickets remain for the December 21 girls/boys Mid-Winter Holiday Classic vs. Triton at Grace College and the boys' basketball appearance in the City Securities Hall of Fame Classic in New Castle on December 30. They will be on sale in the Tiger athletic office beginning at 7:30 am on Monday.

Posted In: Boy's Sports > Basketball

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