Coach Doug Ogle's Tiger Basketball squad returned home to the Tiger Den after a 3-game Elkhart County tour.  The Tigers had traveled to Concord, Northwood, and Elkhart Memorial over the past 15 days on their way to claiming at least a share of the NLC title.

Saturday night the Warsaw boys hosted just their sixth home game of the season as the Marion Giants came to town.  The Giants, who had posted three consecutive 20-win seasons, have struggled a bit this year under first year coach Todd Grace.  Marion brought just a 7-8 record to the Tiger Den, but had recorded impressive victories over both Lawrence North (10-4) and Richmond (12-4).

Warsaw had beaten the Giants 6 out of the last 10 meetings dating back to the 1999-2000 season.  These two storied programs always deliver quality basketball games when they meet head to head.

Before the game started, Warsaw junior Nic Moore was honored at center court for becoming the 11th Warsaw Tiger to surpass the 1,000 point plateau in a career.  Tiger fans gave Nic a standing ovation as he smiled and waved to the Warsaw faithful who cheer his every move.  Coach Doug Ogle and Athletic Director Joe Santa presented Nic with the game ball (see photo gallery) from last Friday night's victory at Northwood.  Moore connected on a shot with 2:11 left in the first period of that contest to eclipse the 1,000 point total.

The first 3 minutes of this battle proved that this game was going to be intense. Although 6'5" Sophomore Lucas Grose won the tip-off, the ball went untouched out-of-bounds. Marion took full advantage and stunned the Tiger Den with an "Alley-Oop". The Tigers, however, were unphased as the Tigers would go on a 9-0 run immediately after. Junior Nic Moore fed the rock to Senior Justin Clemens twice for lay-ups and then nailed a 3-pointer himself to make it a 7-2 game. After a Jordyn Coon rebound, Justin Clemens tacked on another 2 points. Clemens was pumping his fists and screaming as the Tiger Den erupted. Marion Head Coach Todd Grace had seen enough and called a time-out.

After a Marion charging foul by Brandon Stace, the Tigers would extend their run to 11-0. Marion would fight their way back into the game but Senior Zack Linky would crush that thought with a 3-pointer, making it a 16-10 game with little time left in the first quarter.

Clemens would add another 2 before the buzzer to make his first quarter point total 8. Moore contributed 5.

End of First Quarter: Warsaw 18 - Marion 12

Warsaw and Marion started the second quarter out trading 3-pointers but it was the Moore-Clemens duo that would mix things up. They mirrored exactly what they had done in the first quarter. Moore threw a long ball to Clemens for a quick lay-up and hit him once again for a quick 4 points.

On the other end, Marion's William Barnes was fouled and made then basket. He would go on to miss his free throw. Shortly after, Moore answered with a 3-pointer and the Tigers saw themselves with a 28-19 advantage.

After Giant Michael Marble was fouled and made both baskets, Coach Doug Ogle called a time-out to regroup. The Tigers and Giants would trade baskets before the half would end but the sequence of events surrounding the final 15 seconds of the half were unbelievable...

Trailing by just five (30-25) the Giants would hold for the final shot of the quarter. Great Tiger defense and help from the student cheer block section (using a false countdown) forced Marion to shoot a tough 3-pointer from the left corner.  Warsaw's Justin Clemens grabbed the rebound with just over 1 second on the clock.  Clemens turned around and heaved a two-handed shot the length of the basketball court.  The ball soared into the air high toward the four American flags hanging over center court.  As the ball returned from orbit, it hit squarely in the white rectangle above the Tiger basket and fell through the basket!  The Tiger Den erupted...some by leaping in the air (see photo gallery) and some by covering their mouth in SHOCK & AWE!  Either method of expression was accompanied by a loud scream of WOW--did he just do that? Much to the displeasure of Tiger fans and especially Coach Doug Ogle, the referee standing closest to Clemens was blowing his whistle.  His whistle and the waiving of his arms signaled his call of "no-good".  The official ruled the basket was shot after the buzzer had sounded.  Ugh!

The Tiger Den booed and hissed and the referees, after consulting one another, quickly made their way back to the locker room.

"At first, I just threw it."  Clemens continued, "I thought I got it off on time. I threw it so high I didn't know if it would ever come down. When it finally did, the gym went crazy but I heard the ref yelling 'no good' so I didn't celebrate too much." Clemens scored 12 first half points.

End of First Half: Warsaw 30 - Marion 25

With the Den still fuming, the Tigers and Giants would again trade baskets but this quarter belonged to Lucas Grose. He scored Warsaw's first 8 points of the quarter and had 10 by the end of the Third. Marion slowly faded away and out of nowhere, found themselves behind 40-29. Marion had to figure something out. Marion's Marble and Phillip Boyd hit 3-pointers and gave their team hope.

Both Coon and Moore went to the charity stripe and went 4-4, keeping Warsaw at their 11 point lead. Marion's William Barnes committed his 4th foul on Moore.

Clemens, who certainly now has a knack for scoring quickly and knowing where he needs to be to do that, scored another quick 6 with 2 being free throws.

End of Third Quarter: Warsaw 52 - Marion 38

The Fourth Quarter. The offensive showdown has barely even begun.

The battle would ensue. Moore would find the basket quickly but his 2 was answered with a Marion 3. Grose answered with a hard-earned 2 points. The Tigers were fouled twice while shooting but went 1 for 4. With 6:10 to go in the game, the score was 57-42 Warsaw.

A fouling frenzy would take place seconds later and after a Linky foul, Coach Ogle called a time-out with 5:09 remaining.

Like the Third Quarter belonged to Lucas Grose, the final would belong to Nic Moore. He drew a foul marking Warsaw's total at 58. Jordyn Coon did the same making his basket and his free throw. Moore would add another 3 points of his own by doing the same.

Marion sharpshooter Michael Marble sank another 3-pointer and brought his squad within 10. Moore gallantly answered quickly with 2 but soon after would commit his 4th foul of the night.

Just when all eyes were on Moore's 4 fouls, a Marion technical foul was called on Michael Marble after he fouled out and had a few choice words for the refs. Nic Moore made all 4 free throws and for many, this game was all but over. With 2:45 remaining, Warsaw held a 70-56 lead. Marion seemed to be able to fight back but Warsaw would make every free throw attempt from this point forward.

Nic Moore would tack on another 4 free throws before he went to the bench capping off his second consecutive double-double by scoring 26 points to go with 10 assists on the night.  Justin Clemens scored 20 points, hauled down 6 rebounds, and dished out 5 assists.  Clemens truly is the key to this team's success long-term.

When asked how he is able to get his points against taller more-athletic defenders, Justin pointed out his focus.  "I know their big guys are going to go hard for rebounds.  Once we have it, I sprint down the court because I know Nic Moore will find me for easy baskets."

Marion would climb their way back against the Warsaw bench but the Tigers refused to miss their free throws. Juniors Joey Sparkman and Brock Davis would close the game out with a pair of their own.

Final Score: Warsaw 79 - Marion 68

The victory improved the Tiger record to 13-2 (6-0 NLC) on the season.  Warsaw remains alone atop the NLC conference standings and can win the title outright with a victory over Plymouth next Thursday night (2/11) in the Tiger Den.  Plymouth is alone in 2nd place at 5-1 in the NLC with their victory over Goshen Friday night.  The Tigers and Pilgrims have split their last 6 meetings with 3 wins each.  This "Highway 30" battle will be a great contest.

Get to the Tiger Den early and wear your Orange & Black for this NLC Championship game.  Tiger Nation T-Shirts will be thrown out by the Warsaw Cheerleaders at Thursday night's game.  If you want your Tiger Nation shirt before this key showdown, simply go to the "contact us" link under the Tiger Nation logo on the homepage.

Way to go Tigers!

Continue to follow Tiger Basketball throughout the season.  Complete coverage of all Warsaw games will be updated here at www.TigerSportsNation.com

Posted In: Boy's Sports > Basketball

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