The Warsaw Tigers boys basketball team hit the road Friday night to face their 2nd consecutive Elkhart County school in as many weeks. This time the Tigers would square off with the Northwood Panthers and former Warsaw JV Coach Aaron Wolfe.

Friday night was homecoming for the host Panthers. Their gymnasium know as "The Pit" was near capacity for this game and was decked out with ribbons, signs, posters, and props as the home team welcomed back students and faculty from past and present. Could they pull off the upset and beat the Class 4A #12 Warsaw Tigers?

Coach Doug Ogle's Warsaw team was looking for their 4th consecutive victory and seeking to stay undefeated in Northern Lakes Conference play. The Tigers entered the game with 10-2 mark and a perfect 4-0 record in the NLC while Northwood came in at 5-8 overall (1-3 NLC).

Tiger junior Nic Moore entered Friday night's contest needing just six points to reach the 1,000 point milestone for total points in his illustrious Warsaw career. Rest assured the Panthers would put forth an effort to prolong Nic's accomplishment as long as they possibly could.

The first quarter of action saw both teams executing their offensive sets with near perfection. Both teams were scoring at will -- a pace that reminded fans of an NBA game -- you know lots of scoring with little defense.

Warsaw super sophomore Lucas Grose started off the scoring with a lay-in. Grose can credit his basket to Justin Clemens as Clemens delivered a strike to find his fellow post player for an easy two points.

Northwood junior Cameron Williams responded with a basket for the home team to tie the score at two each. Williams who stands 6'4" tall and Lucas Grose, who is an inch taller, battled all night long in the paint. The two bigs looked as though they were preparing for the super bowl as their style of play reminded fans of another sport -- one Northwood is pretty familiar with.

Nic Moore walked the ball up the court before deciding to pull up from 21 feet and connect on his first basket of the game. The 3-point field goal put the Tigers up by three and left Moore just three points shy of 1,000. Panther junior Kyle Heckaman answered Moore's triple with one of his own. Score tied at 5 all.

Tiger senior Andy Conrad, who would later injure his ankle, scored on an offensive rebound for Warsaw.

Cameron Williams would respond for Northwood. Williams came out aggressive in this game. Northwood coach Aaron Wolfe took notice "Cameron is growing for us as a basketball player right now," Wolfe said. "I thought our basketball team did a nice job of getting him the ball in the low post. Cameron was aggressive tonight, and I think we can look for him to improve over the next two years."

With the score tied at 7-7, Nic Moore created a basket for himself with a crafty crossover dribble thru two Panther defenders at the top of the key. Moore pulled up at the free throw line to connect on career point 999 -- needing just one more.

Lucas Grose connected on 1 of 2 free throws to extend the Tiger lead to 10-7 with 4:07 left in the 1st period. Again, Cameron Williams answered with a basket in the post for Northwood.

The following play brought Tiger Fans to their feet in appreciation. Check out this sequence of numbers Tiger Nation:

Nic Moore # 11 connects on a jumper giving the 5'9" junior (11th grade) 1,001 career points in a Warsaw Tiger uniform.

Tiger Coach Doug Ogle on Moore's accomplishment after the game "put this on tigersportsnation.com" Ogle continued, "Tonight, Nic Moore wearing number 11 became the 11th player in Warsaw history to score 1,000 career points in our 11th win of the season and he did it while in grade number 11."

"That's pretty special." Ogle concluded with a big smile.

And to top it all off -- Moore hit the jumper with 2:11 on the clock in the first quarter.

After the basket, Northwood's public address announcer showed a nice gesture by announcing Nic's accomplishment over the loud speakers to the entire crowd.

Once the crowd settled and the ball put back in play, Northwood sophomore Zac Coleman nailed a 3-pointer to tie the score at 12-12. Warsaw sophomore Jordyn Coon responded by swishing a 3-point bomb of his own from the left wing. The Tigers led by three 15-12 with 1:11 remaining.

After a Kyle Heckaman triple tied the score for Northwood, Lucas Grose scored from the left block to give Warsaw a one point lead with just 44 seconds to go. The Panthers held the ball for the final shot of the quarter.

Panther junior guard, Michael Paul swished a 24' jumper as time expired to give Northwood a one point lead after one quarter. Northwood fans were going crazy.

End of First Quarter: Northwood 18 - Warsaw 17

The second quarter belonged to the visiting Tigers.

Though Northwood would convert the first four points of the quarter to gain a 22-17 advantage, Warsaw proceed to go on a 16-2 run to take control of this NLC battle.

Started off by none other than Mr. Moore's basket, the Tigers caught fire. Justin Clemens then converted a 3-point play the old-fashioned way on a nice pass from Mr. Moore to tie the score at 22-22.

Tiger senior Zack Linky then went on his own 5-0 run as the 6'2" guard nailed a triple from the right wing and then stole the inbounds pass to get fouled for two free throws. Linky connected on both charity stripe attempts for a 27-22 Warsaw advantage. Linky's coach took notice.

"Zack Linky had one of his best overall games for us tonight", Coach Ogle said after the game.

After a Clemens free throw, junior forward Jalen Roscoe connected on an offensive put back to give Warsaw a 30-24 lead.

Just as the second quarter buzzer was about to expire, Justin Clemens drained a bomb from downtown to give Warsaw a nine point halftime lead. Justin hit a similar shot back on December 19th at the Tiger Den just as the half expired against Wawasee. Mr. Clutch does it again! (Check out the past article entitled "Moore Returns, Clemens Goes for 28 as Tigers Outscore Wawasee 97-82 Friday Night" for a picture of Justin's shot)

Warsaw outscored Northwood 16-6 in the 2nd period.

End of first half: Warsaw 33 - Northwood 24

Northwood came out in the 3rd looking to play better defense on Nic Moore. Moore was being shadowed by both Michael Paul #3 and John Sittler #21. Both Paul and Sittler were trying their best to stay with Moore using physical play with the Tiger star.

After Jordyn Coon and Zack Linky scored the first two baskets of the 2nd half for the Tigers, Moore drove to the basket on the next Warsaw possession. Moore was punished by both Northwood defenders as the referees called the foul right away. Moore did not like the hard foul and exchanged words with Michael Paul.

Moore converted 1 of 2 free throws to put Warsaw up 38-31.

Cameron Williams, who led Northwood with 14 points on the night, scored to cut the Tiger lead to five (38-33) with 4:06 to go in the 3rd frame.

Moore then connected on a leaner for two more. Nic then took an outlet pass on the next Panther missed basket and drove the length of the court. As he went up strong against two defenders, he was once again hacked pretty hard -- this time he made the basket and drew the foul. Nic pumped his fist as he headed to the line. He made the free throw to put Warsaw ahead 43-32.

Williams scored the final three points of the quarter as the Panthers tried to stay within striking range.

Northwood outscored Warsaw 11-10 in the period.

End of 3rd Quarter: Warsaw 43 - Northwood 35

Justin Clemens stretched the lead to ten points as he scored the first basket of the 4th. Nic Moore followed Justin's lead with a basket at the 6:26 mark.

As Panther senior John Sittler tried to make a move to the basket, Moore stepped in and appeared to make a clean tie up for a jump ball call. Sittler who is built more for football, took exception to Nic's defensive effort and tried to wrestle the ball away from Moore. Nic would have none of it. Nic ripped the ball from Sittler and held the ball high in his right hand as the two had to be separated by referees. Fans were going nuts on both sides.

"Every NLC game is a battle" said Moore, "you have to play with emotion, you have to want it out here." When asked specifically about the confrontation Nic responded "There was nothing to it -- I was just playing hard, besides I'm a lover not a fighter." He walked away with a huge smile on his face as the interview ended.

Tiger fans have come to know Nic Moore as "The Entertainer". The kid just keeps you glued to the game with his passion, ability, and on court antics. You just leave a Tiger game shaking your head in amazement. He's that good.

Jordyn Coon began the final stretch with his second 3-pointer of the night as the Tigers began to pull away for good. Fellow sophomore Lucas Grose scored the next four Warsaw points for a 54-39 advantage.

Jalen Roscoe scored on a nice pass from Coon with 3:06 remaining. Moore then connected on his second 3-point bomb for his final tally of 20 points on the night. Warsaw led 59-42.

Tiger junior Joey Sparkman finished off the Panthers with a sweet pass to Jalen Roscoe and then a 3-pointer from the right corner. Sparkman spoke to TSN.com after the game saying, "I am just trying to bring energy to the court. I found an opening in the defense and Jordyn Coon threw me a great pass", Sparkman concluded.

The Tigers exploded for 21 fourth quarter points to secure a twenty point victory.

Final Score: Warsaw 64 - Northwood 44

Lucas Grose led the rebounding effort with 9 total boards while Jordyn Coon grabbed 5 of his own for the Tigers.

The victory improved the Tiger record to 11-2 (5-0 NLC) on the season. Warsaw remains alone atop the NLC conference standings and will try to take a huge step in nailing down a conference title next Friday night (2/5). Warsaw will travel to take on take on mighty Elkhart Memorial who stands 10-5 overall and 4-1 in NLC play. With a victory, the Tigers can do no worse than share a coveted NLC crown.

Continue to follow this Warsaw team as complete coverage of the Tigers will updated here at www.TigerSportsNation.com

Posted In: Boy's Sports > Basketball

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