Tiger Den
Warsaw, IN
February 12, 2011

		F
	#8 (3A) Peru Tigers	50
	#8 (4A) Warsaw Tigers (16-2)(NLC 6-1)	61

A pair of state ranked teams met Saturday afternoon in the Tiger Den. The Class 3A #8-ranked Peru Tigers versus the Class 4A #8-ranked Warsaw Tigers.

While these teams share mascots and fight songs they came into this game heading in two very different directions. The Warsaw Tigers had won 9 of their last 10 contests including a massive 45 point dismantling of their arch rival Thursday night.

The Peru Tigers on the other hand are in a funk. Peru had lost 4 of 7 coming into this contest and desperately looking to get back to their winning ways.

The Tiger Den was less than half full as many students and fans did not show for this afternoon matinee.

Warsaw jumped out to an early lead behind stellar play from 2011 Mr. Basketball Candidate Nic Moore. Despite being double-teamed, Moore scored a quick 8 points to give Warsaw a 13-10 lead after one period.

Peru outscored Warsaw 17-13 in the second quarter to take a 27-26 Halftime lead.

The Warsaw Tigers responded. Nic Moore rattled off the first 9 points of the 3rd quarter to regain control of this game. Warsaw outscored Peru 17-9 in the period.

Sir Sic Nic was his usual self during the Warsaw run. Moore nailed a long range 3-point basket before taking his defenders in the lane for short range jumpers. Nic finished off his run on an out of bounds play designed especially for him. He posted up Travis Smith on the block by using his overpowering strength before exploding over Smith to lay the ball into the basket.

Moore finished the third quarter with 24 total points.

Warsaw led 43-36 after three frames.

Juniors Rhett Kesler and Lucas Grose were key components for Warsaw in this game. Kesler nailed a three point basket and converted 4 clutch free throws for seven total points. Grose was a beast on the glass. The 6'5" rebounding monster gathered a game high 10 caroms to go with big 8 points.

The last 4 minutes of this battle turned into a football game. The Peru guards were challenging Nic Moore to a physical "in your face" style of play coupled with lots of trash talk. As 38 of the last 43 teams have found out, that method of strategic thinking is going to make for a long bus ride home.

Moore was sent to the foul line repeatedly as the Peru guards racked up 13 fouls. Travis Smith was whistled for his 5th foul and disqualification midway through the fourth. With both sets of fans yelling at the referees to get control of the game, Moore calmly drained a perfect 12 for 12 foul shots.

The Tigers finished the game 21 of 29 (72.4%) from the charity stripe. Warsaw's bench outscored Peru 11-0 as the home team got tremendous help from their reserves. Warsaw outrebounded Peru 31-22 as well.

Final Score: Warsaw 61 - Peru 50

Final Scoring for Warsaw:

Warsaw improves to 15-2 on the season. The Tigers will finish the season with four remaining games:

Feb. 15 South Bend Clay {4A} HOME
Feb. 18 at Fort Wayne Luers {2A} AWAY
Feb. 23 at Marion {4A} AWAY
Feb. 25 Carroll (Fort Wayne) {4A} HOME

The four remaining teams on the Warsaw schedule are very strong and athletic teams. Finishing the regular season with this tough schedule will prepare the Tigers for the postseason. This same stretch of games last season produced some incredible games full of high intensity and terrific basketball.

Coach Doug Ogle and his staff will use this opportunity to refine an already good basketball team that has amassed an incredible 48-5 record over the past two seasons including 2 consecutive NLC Championships, 1 IHSAA Sectional Title, 1 IHSAA Regional Crown, 1 IHSAA Semi-State Championship, and the awesome experience to Indianapolis finishing as 2010 Class 4A IHSAA State Runner-up.

Great job Tigers!

Posted In: Boy's Sports > Basketball

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