Tonight's sectional #4 game between the Warsaw Tigers and Concord Minutemen was a rematch of the January 22nd game. Warsaw defeated Concord 54-48 at McCuen Gym in Dunlap to seize control of the Northern Lakes Conference.

Concord had only lost once since that game while the Tigers had reeled off eleven straight victories of their own. Concord entered the contest with an impressive 17-4 record and were looking to knock off the sectional favorite Tigers.

The game was close the entire 32 minutes of action.

Warsaw jumped out to an early 5-0 lead on scores by Justin Clemens and Zack Linky. Clemens scored on a pass from Nic Moore. Linky connected on a 3-pointer also on a dish from Moore.

Anthony Yoder scored the first five points for Concord to knot the score at 5 each with 5:23 left in the 1st quarter.

Nic Moore collected two more assists in the transition game. Moore found both Clemens and Linky on consecutive run-outs after rebounds. In each case, Clemens and Linky were completely wide open as the Minutemen failed to get back after shot attempts on offense.

Larone Smith kept the Minutemen close as he scored 5 first quarter points for Concord.

End of Quarter #1: Warsaw 15 - Concord 14

The second period was much like the first in that neither team was able to mount a sizeable lead.

Nic Moore and Anthony Yoder picked up where they left off back in January. The two guards pushed and shoved each other until referees stepped in early in the frame calling a foul on Moore. Moore showed signs of frustration. Coach Ogle took his star player out of the game to give him a chance to calm his emotions.

Sophomores Lucas Grose and Jordyn Coon scored a combined 8 points in the quarter to lead the Tigers.

Coon gave Warsaw its largest lead of the night (23-16) when he skied for a lay-up with 2:55 left in the half. Coon's layup was a direct result of Zack Linky's tip in the full-court Tiger pressure defense.

Senior Doug Acker made a perfect 3 for 3 free throws for Concord as he was fouled on a 3-point attempt.

Warsaw outscored Concord 12-10 in the 2nd frame.

Justin Clemens, Lucas Grose, and Jordyn Coon led the Tigers in scoring thru 16 minutes of play with six points each.

End of 1st Half: Warsaw 27 - Concord 24

Concord stormed out of the locker room to take the lead from the Tigers. Led by Larone Smith, the Minutemen put together a run in which they outscored Warsaw 8-1 over three minutes of action.

Concord led 32-28 with 5:03 left in the 3rd.

Tiger senior Justin Clemens calmed the Warsaw fans with a ten foot jumper to end the Concord run.

Nic Moore, who only took 9 shot attempts all night, began to get his points from the foul line. Moore nailed two free throws to tie the score at 32 apiece with 3:24 on the clock.

Concord put together a 7-2 run to finish the quarter. Concord fans were now believing they could upset the #6 ranked Tigers as they stood cheering on their boys.

Concord outscored Warsaw 15-7 in the 3rd quarter to take a five point advantage heading to the final frame.

End of Quarter #3: Concord 39 - Warsaw 34

Just eight minutes remaining for one of these teams in their 2009-2010 season. Both teams had fought with every ounce of effort through the first three quarters. Fans could hardly sit in their seats as both teams took the floor for the final period of action.

Justin Clemens (aka: Mr. Clutch) calmly converted two free throws to score the first points of the period. Concord 39 - Warsaw 36.

Larone Smith managed just 1 of 3 free throws as he was fouled on a three-point attempt. Concord 40 - Warsaw 36.

Leading by four points with just six minutes and thirty seconds standing between the Concord boys and a trip to the IHSAA sectional championship game, the Minutemen seemed to lose all common sense.

Seriously, I don't know whether Anthony Yoder was so focused on showing up Nic Moore or what was going through the mind of the Concord guards?

Coach Steve Austin was flabbergasted as well as his team began to constantly foul Nic Moore. Not only were they fouling the Tigers, but they were fouling some 80 FEET from the Tiger basket.

Warsaw would shoot a whopping 24 total free throws in the second half in what turned out to be the deciding factor in this game. The Tigers connected on an amazing 20 of their charity stripe tosses -- good for 83%.

The Tigers scored 19 4th quarter points and only made TWO field goals. Yes, you heard me correctly. Concord gave Warsaw FIFTEEN free throw points in the final frame. Many of those free throw points were on fouls in the Tiger backcourt on plays that did not even effect the game.

Nevertheless, Concord trailed by just one (47-46) after an offensive put back by Larone Smith with 1:30 left in the game.

Tiger guard Jordyn Coon scored on a pass from Nic Moore with just under a minute to play. Coon's reverse lay-up gave Warsaw a 49-46 lead as the seconds began to tick away.

Again Larone Smith came to the rescue for the Minutemen. Smith who scored a game high 26 points, nailed a game-tying triple with just 36 seconds left in the game.

Warsaw 49 - Concord 49

Warsaw junior Nic Moore took the orange rock the length of the court. Moore was hammered on his lay-up attempt and was awarded two free throws.

Concord called timeout to "ice" the Tiger Star and to setup their strategy on offense.

Moore swished both free throws to give Warsaw a two point advantage with just 24 ticks remaining.

Concord got the shot they wanted when Larone Smith attempted a game-winning three point shot from the right wing. Smith missed but was able to corral the rebound. His runner in the lane also missed. Nic Moore skied to secure the Tiger rebound.

Moore made both free throws to put the game away with just 6 seconds left.

Smith made a basket as time expired, but it was the Tigers who escaped with the victory.

Warsaw outscored Concord 19-12 over the final eight minutes.

Compete Scoring for Warsaw:

Nic Moore - 18, Justin Clemens - 11, Jordyn Coon - 10, Lucas Grose - 9, Zack Linky - 5

Clemens and Grose led the rebounding effort with 7 each. Moore led the Tigers with 6 assists and 3 steals.

Final Score: Warsaw 53 - Concord 51

The narrow victory is step one for the Tigers in their quest to win a sectional crown. Warsaw will now face arch rival Elkhart Memorial in the championship game. Memorial defeated Northridge in the second game to earn the right to play for the title.

The championship tilt is scheduled for 7:30pm at Elkhart's North Side Gymnasium.

Scores of Tiger fans made the trip Friday night to support their class 4A #6 Tiger boys team. Even more are expected for Saturday night's game as Nic Moore, Justin Clemens and company make their push for a deep run toward a coveted IHSAA state championship trophy.

Get on your Orange & Black and suit up for a great game Saturday night in Elkhart.

GO TIGERS!!

Posted In: Boy's Sports > Basketball

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