(Mentone, IN) When you think sports rivalries what comes to mind? Yankees/Red Sox, Steelers/Cowboys, Celtics/Lakers, or more recently the Colts/Patriots to name a few right?

Well in the world of Indiana high school basketball, no tradition describes the word rivalry like a good old fashioned hardwood battle between the Warsaw Tigers and Tippecanoe Valley Vikings. Both teams and coaches will certainly have this in their mindset as the 2009-10 basketball season tips off tonight in Mentone, IN.

The Warsaw Tigers are coming off a Varsity campaign that produced 19 wins to go with only 3 losses. Those 19 wins are the most for a Tiger team since the 2001-2002 season, yet this year's expectations are very high. For good reason as Doug Ogle's Tigers return a lineup full of Varsity experience not to mention full of talent. Led by junior standout guard Nic Moore, Warsaw also returns seniors Justin Clemens, Andy Conrad, and Zack Linky from last year's Varsity squad.

Moore, considered by some to be one of the state's best guards, led the way last season averaging more than 18 points per game to go with 5 assists and nearly 2 steals. Clemens averaged 10 points per contest along with pulling down more than 5 boards per game. Fellow senior and football teammate Andy Conrad brings his 08-09 averages of 8 points and 5 boards for the Tiger attack. Both Clemens and Conrad are full of Varsity experience of the past 3 seasons. Linky known for his deadly outside shooting skills had a great summer and looks to get open shots as Nic Moore draws the attention from defensive schemes the Tiger opponents will draw up early in the season.

Rounding out the Varsity roster will be juniors Jalen Roscoe, Cody Bragg, Joey Sparkman, Brock Davis, and Christopher O'Hara -- super-sophomores Lucas Grose and Jordyn Coon. Look for the Tigers to be a deep, well-balanced team with all of this young talent. Warsaw should make a deep run in the post season as this team appears to be the most complete squad we have seen in some time.

On the home bench tonight you will find an experienced Bill Patrick team looking to knock off the highly touted Tigers and claim stake to the Valley/Warsaw bragging rights. Bragging rights that the Tigers own after last years' 76-49 thrashing in the Tiger Den. Coming off a frustrating 4-17 performance a year ago, the Vikings are focused on a much better year in 2009-10.

Valley returns Varsity senior players Zach Owens and Anthony Tolson. Owens averaged 13 points per contest last year to lead the Viking offense. Tolson pitched in 9 points per game last season and will look to expand those numbers right out of the gate this year. Valley will start Taylor Burkhart, Caleb Rovenstine, and Dan Kitch to go along with Owens and Tolson.

It is no secret that the Vikings will need to play their best game to compete with the Tigers tonight. That being said, the host Vikings crowd will be many in number and the decibel level will be high as their arch rival comes to town. If Valley can stay close into the third quarter the fans will start to believe and their noise will surely bring inspiration to Patrick's kids.

Let's roll up our sleeves and get ready for a Kosciusko County battle tonight in Mentone to kick of the season. This hoops contest will be a great start to what both teams hope is a magical campaign.

JV game starts at 6:15pm EST.

Photo's provided by Your Average Joe Photographer

Posted In: Boy's Sports > Basketball