The Pit - Bishop Luers High School
Fort Wayne, IN
February 18, 2011

		F
	#6 (4A) Warsaw Tigers (17-3)(NLC 6-1)	51
	FW Bishop Luers Knights	54

Friday night in Fort Wayne, Indiana for the 2010-11 version of Warsaw versus FW Bishop Luers. The same matchup between two teams that have produced some magical moments over the past three seasons. Both teams have had star-studded talent on their respective rosters for quite some time.

For Luers, they were able to boast about their 2009-2010 Indiana Mr. Basketball winner Deshaun "Diesel" Thomas who is now playing for the Ohio St. Buckeyes. Thomas finished his career as the 3rd all-time leading scorer in the history of Indiana High School Basketball. That's impressive. This year Luers sports two big-time prospects in Senior Evan Blackmon and Freshman James Blackmon, Jr.

For Warsaw, the past four seasons have been centered on senior point guard Nic Moore. Moore led the charge as the Tigers defeated Deshaun Thomas and the Luers Knights two consecutive seasons in thrilling fashion. Both of those basketball games came down to the final minutes before Sir Sic Nic and the Tigers pulled out victories. Last season on senior night in front of 5,000 basketball-crazed fanatics in the Tiger Den. What a night that was.

This year's game was no exception (well, sort of) as this contest came down to the final minute as well.

The asterisk to this game was simple. Warsaw would have to win this game without their 2011 Mr. Basketball Candidate. Nic Moore sprained his knee in Warsaw's blowout of SB Clay Tuesday night, an injury that will force the Tiger superstar to miss at least two games and require two weeks of rest to heal.

Despite losing their "Mr. Everything" for this game, Warsaw Coach Doug Ogle fully expected his basketball team to win this game. Ogle has full confidence in his supporting cast that surrounds Nic Moore and his coaching staff to win basketball games. The Tiger players fed off of their coach's belief on this night.

Led by junior wing player Jordyn Coon, the Tigers fought a very athletic Luers squad for a full 32 minutes of action in front of 2,200+ fans.

Coon slashed to the basket time and time again to score his team high 20 points. The 6'3" phenom, who is often overshadowed by the greatness of Nic Moore, proved to the entire state of Indiana (& perhaps more importantly himself) that the future of Tiger Basketball is very bright. Jordyn scored at will in this game and what really stood out is just how efficient he did it. Coon converted 8 field goals on just 13 attempts (62%) for the night as well as 4 of 6 from the foul line.

Coach Ogle was singing Jordyn's praises after the game, "I was impressed with the assertive nature & determination that Jordyn displayed tonight. Not only did he step up and score 20 points, his 11 rebounds were big for us."

With Coon leading the Tiger attack, Bishop Luers proved they had offensive weapons of their own. Senior Evan Blackmon scored 10 first quarter points to lead the Knights. Evan drained a few long range three pointers that were simply unstoppable.

Luers jumped out to a 19-12 lead after one quarter.

Freshman guard James Blackmon Jr. (JBJ) began to heat up in the second quarter. JBJ scored a quick 8 points as Luers grabbed the biggest lead of the night at 29-17 midway thru the second quarter.

Warsaw closed the half with a 7-3 run to stay in the game.

Halftime Score: FW Luers 32 - Warsaw 24

The third quarter was odd to say the least. Luers scored the first two baskets of the quarter and had all the momentum. Tiger fans began to grow nervous before Lucas Grose scored a basket to cut the lead back to 10 points.

Then Luers does Warsaw a big favor. With the Tigers falling back into a 2-3 Zone defense, Luers guard Kenny Mullen stood at the half court line and held the ball for nearly two full minutes. Warsaw was content to shorten the game playing without their star player. There was no doubt on the Tiger sideline that Luers was doing Warsaw a favor and the fans wearing orange knew it as well.

Finally, after two minutes of 10 players and 3 referees standing motionless on a basketball court, Luers jacked up a three point shot that Jordyn Coon rebounded.

Warsaw was able to trade field goals with the Knights to end the quarter.

End of 3rd Quarter: FW Luers 41 - Warsaw 31

Warsaw Senior Jalen Roscoe began the third quarter with a BANG. Roscoe caught a Jordyn Coon pass to finish an acrobatic layup over a Luers defender. Coon's 5th assist of the night was a great dish to beat the Knight's full court pressure. Roscoe was fouled on the play and he drained the free throw to cut the lead to seven (41-34). At this point, Tiger fans began to believe.

Tiger super-Sophomore, Jared Bloom, took Tiger fever to another level when he drained a triple from the left wing. Bloom is such a pure shooter and provides instant offensive firepower for this Warsaw team. Jared's three point basket cut the lead to 46-40 with 4:30 left in the game.

Luers again was content to sit on the ball over the next 3 minutes. The Knights only scored two points on a pair of free throws allowing Warsaw a chance to stay in the game.

Again it was Jordyn Coon who answered the offensive call for Warsaw. Coon scored with 30 seconds left in the game on an incredible out-of-bounds play call by Doug Ogle. The basket closed the Luers lead to just two points 48-46. The entire gym abuzz at this point - Warsaw fans jumping around in pure joy/disbelief that this game had come down to this when it seemed like Luers had every chance to blow the game wide open - and Knight fans looking confused as to how their squad now had to sit through a timeout to discuss a strategy to hold on.

Warsaw immediately fouled Kenny Mullen and sent the senior guard to the line with 26 seconds on the clock. Mullen calmly drained the first free throw to give his team a 49-46 lead. Mullen's second free throw hit the back of the rim and bounced high in the air. The result was a monster offensive rebound by 6'4" sophomore post player, Jaylon Smith. Smith skied for the ball and overpowered the Tiger post men to put the ball into the basket. Smith also drew a foul on the play.

Luers fans and players went crazy in celebration of Smith's phenomenal individual effort. Smith made the free throw to bury any Tiger hope of winning this game. 52-46 Luers leads.

Jared Bloom swished an NBA three pointer as time ran down, but Smith's huge play had already decided this one.

Another great game between two great basketball programs. This one going to FW Luers.

Final Score: FW Luers 54 - Warsaw 51

James Blackmon Jr. led the Knights with a game high 22 points while Evan Blackmon scored 13 points.

Here is the complete scoring for Warsaw:

Coon led the rebounding effort with 11 big boards giving Jordyn a double-double for the game.

This basketball game proved a few things to Tiger fans and players. The "other guys" that you so often read about in all the hype surrounding, the state's most complete player, Nic Moore are really good too. Jordyn Coon was a monster in this game because he knew he had to do it. Lucas Grose took over on multiple occasions in the basket area and there was nothing Luers could do to stop the Warsaw big man. Jared Bloom knocked down 3 big shots on a big stage in front of a loud crowd. Jalen Roscoe made a few great plays that brought out the most electric smile from #35 and that is great to see from Jalen. Clay Anderson hit a beautiful 15 foot jumper in a big 4th quarter moment for the Tigers. Jay Holladay buried another 3-pointer. Joey Sparkman, Rhett Kesler, and Travis Thomas gave Warsaw a combined 23 minutes of solid bench play - hey y'all this team is good!

Warsaw is more than just Nic Moore. That varsity group is laden with talent looking for opportunities to carry this Tiger team deep into the post season. Job well done boys!

Add Nic Moore back into this group that will continue to improve their games and their belief in themselves over the next 7-10 days of practice and now you're talking.

There is no doubt that Nic Moore is the best (pound for pound) player in the state of Indiana. Everybody in the state knows that having Nic Moore on the court give the Warsaw Tigers the ability to win any given game on any given night against any given opponent. Nic has proven that over the last 90+ games wearing orange and black. No other player in Indiana high school basketball gives their team the opportunity to win than Nic Moore.

Jordyn Coon, Lucas Grose, Jared Bloom & company will be there for #11 when it counts.

We don't believe in moral victories here at Warsaw. We just don't. That being said, this Bishop Luers game will be one of those defining moments that we look back on and reflect on the process of greatness. Greatness is a process, a dedication to excellence, a mindset that requires hard work and the undying pursuit of something more than you've ever had.

Tonight the Warsaw Tigers, led by their Coach Doug Ogle, took a dip into the sacred waters of greatness and caught a glimpse of what could be.

Warsaw lost this game, but gained a new set of freedoms.

The Tigers will travel to Marion to face the Giants Wednesday night.

Posted In: Boy's Sports > Basketball

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