Just six days removed from watching their star player suffer a freak injury during pre-game warm ups, the Warsaw Tigers took the floor against the Rochester Zebras. The Zebras were the class 3A state runner-up last year and were returning four seniors. How would the Tigers game plan for this battle?

Unlike last Saturday's game vs. Huntington North when Coach Doug Ogle would learn just 3 minutes before tipoff that his all-state guard Nic Moore was hurt, Ogle had five days and four practices to get his team ready for the Zebras. Many wondered where the Tiger's leader would turn to find stability in this time of uncertainty that surrounded his club.

Anyone who watched this game Friday night figured out Coach Ogle's strategy - as it was obvious - and made perfect sense. Ogle turned to his three seniors and asked them to carry the load. At best estimate Warsaw's three seniors (Justin Clemens, Andy Conrad, and Zack Linky) have played in more than 625 quarters of Varsity basketball in their careers. Experience is not an issue with these kids.

Warsaw raced out to an advantage early as senior Andy Conrad found sophomore Lucas Grose for an easy lay-up. Fellow seniors Justin Clemens and Zack Linky scored on lay-ups of their own in the first 2 minutes of action to give the Tigers a 6-2 lead.

The next three minutes of play were quite possibly the best the Tigers have played all year at any given stretch - with or without Nic Moore. Warsaw went on an 11-2 run, combining both pressure defense and superior hustle, to open up a 13 point cushion over the host Zebras a the 2:23 mark of the 1st quarter. Rochester called timeout. The Tiger fans jumped to their feet to celebrate their boys arrival back to the visiting bench.

Rochester stormed out of their timeout with renewed enthusiasm. The Zebras quickly forced two Warsaw turnovers while junior Evan Hoff connected on consecutive 3-point field goals. In all Rochester would mount an 8-0 run of their own to close out the first period.

End of quarter #1: Warsaw 17 - Rochester 12

After a first quarter totaling 29 points, both coaches turned to their zone defensive schemes to begin the 2nd period. Neither offense was able to find any success operating against these zones. The action started off like two turtles racing on a turntable set to 33 speed. During the first 4 minutes of the second half the only basket scored was a 3-point field goal by Rochester's Evan Hoff. Andy Conrad finally broke the ice for Warsaw as he converted 1 of 2 free throw attempts. Warsaw led 18-15 with 4:03 to play in the half.

Sophomore Jordyn Coon scored on a nifty pass from Clemens to start a 6-2 run for the Tigers. Grose and Linky added baskets during this offensive burst as well for Warsaw. Rochester senior Colt Meadows would answer with back to back baskets for the Zebras as the half came to an end. The Tigers managed to outscore Rochester 9-7 in the 2nd frame.

Halftime score: Warsaw 26 - Rochester 19

The 3rd quarter of play was eerily similar to that of quarter number two. The Tigers would struggle early against the 1-3-1 zone defense applied by Rochester. The Zebras would use a mini-run of 5-2 to claw within four of Warsaw 28-24 with 3:49 left in the period. Once again, senior Andy Conrad would end the Zebra run with a baseline jumper to extend the lead back to six. After a defensive stop, senior Zack Linky connected on his second long range bomb of the night. Tiger fans screamed shouts of joy as the offense showed signs of life.

After a Rochester time-out, Warsaw coach Doug Ogle set up an out of bounds play to his 6'5" super sophomore Lucas Grose. The play was executed to perfection as Grose executed from 3 feet out to give the Tigers a 35-24 advantage capping a 7-0 Warsaw run. The two squads would trade baskets as the quarter came to an end. The Tigers outscored the Zebras 11-9 in the 3rd.

End of the 3rd period: Warsaw 37 - Rochester 28

Warsaw was dealt a quick blow to begin the 4th. Starting point guard, Jordyn Coon, was whistled for two fouls in just 5 seconds of play. Coon fouled out - picking up his final foul at the 7:12 mark and would have to watch the rest of this one from the Tiger bench. Ogle turned to junior Jalen Roscoe to replace Coon.

The Zebras would embark on a 5-0 run over the next minute and fifteen seconds to make this a game. Warsaw led just 37-33 with 6:04 left in the contest. Jordyn Coon's replacement, Roscoe, would prove to Tiger fans why his coach sent him into the game. Jalen played the final six minutes like a man on a mission scoring 4 points, dishing out 2 assists, and coming up with 2 big steals for Warsaw. Jalen Roscoe's 4th quarter performance was impressive to watch.

Justin Clemens again found fellow classmate Andy Conrad under the hoop for a lay-up at the 4:59 mark to extend the Warsaw lead to 41-33. Clemens led the Tigers with five assists on the evening -- just another night at the office for a quarterback I guess. Senior Zack Linky connected on 2 for 2 free throws with 2:30 left on the clock to end a Warsaw 6-0 run. The Zebras were running out of time.

Rochester would connect on consecutive baskets as time winded down, but Clemens' lay in with .46 seconds left would seal the Tiger victory. Warsaw outscored Rochester 12-10 in the 4th to secure their fourth win of the season.

So how did Coach Ogle's seniors respond?

Justin Clemens never came out of this game playing all 32 minutes. Zack Linky and Andy Conrad both played 30 minutes each. Between the three of them, they contributed 31 of the 49 points (63%) while dishing out 11 of the Tiger 17 assists (65%). They also shot 7 for 8 (88%) from the foul line.

Final Score: Warsaw 49 - Rochester 38

Complete Scoring for Warsaw:

Andy Conrad - 13, Zack Linky - 10, Lucas Grose - 10, Justin Clemens - 8, Jordyn Coon - 4, Jalen Roscoe - 4

The Tigers are now 4-1 on the season. Their only loss to FW South Side last Friday in Fort Wayne. That same FW South team defeated #1 ranked (2)A Bishop Luers tonight 77-75. Warsaw will host Bishop Luers later in the season. Warsaw will host the Wawasee Warriors next Friday night 12/18 at the Tiger Den. Wawasee is off to a perfect 3-0 start while averaging an enormous 106 points per game. The Warriors set a school record scoring 122 points last week against Manchester. Warsaw hopes to have junior star Nic Moore back from his ankle injury. Moore will be a game time decision. See you at the Tiger Den.

Posted In: Boy's Sports > Basketball