Orthopaedic Capital Center
Winona Lake, IN
December 22, 2010

	#3 (4A) Warsaw Tigers (6-0)	55
	#2 (1A) Triton Trojans (5-3)	43

Tuesday night the Warsaw Tigers and the Triton Trojans did battle for the first time in nearly 13 years.

The wait for both sets of fans was certainly worth it.

SOLD OUT!

The last ticket was purchased just moments before the 6:00pm girls game was set for tip-off. The Grace College Lancers' gymnasium was at full capacity for the 1st annual Mid-Winter Classic.

The #2 ranked (class 1A) Trojans have an impressive fan following to say the least. The blue and gold shirts were flocking through the turn styles in hopes of seeing David knock down Goliath.

The #3 ranked (class 4A) Tigers came into this showdown sporting a perfect 5-0 record with an average winning margin of more than 15 points per game. Warsaw is not just winning, they have been beating the daylights out of teams so far in 2010.

This contest took on a much different feel from the onset.

Triton coach Jason Groves had a game plan. Groves was going to try and limit the Tiger possessions via ball control on offense and a 1-3-1 matchup zone on defense. For the first eighteen minutes of the game the Trojan head coach worked his strategy to perfection.

Warsaw's Mr. Basketball candidate, Nic Moore, scored just 2 first quarter points as he looked to get teammates involved. The Tigers looked sluggish against the zone defense.

Triton's best player, sophomore Clay Yeo, led his team with 6 first period points as the Trojan's claimed a lead of 11-9 after one frame. This was the first time the mighty Warsaw Tigers had trailed after the first quarter of any game this season. Triton fans were beginning to believe in the unthinkable.

Nic Moore began to insert himself in the second frame. #11 scored the first nine Tiger points as the lead continued to bounce back and forth between the two teams. Triton senior Griffyn Carpenter nailed a long range bomb just as the first half came to an end. Carpenter's shot came after the Trojans held the basketball for nearly two full minutes. Again, trying their very best to keep the ball away from Warsaw and the state's best basketball player - Sir Nic Moore.

Half Time Score: Triton 24 - Warsaw 21

Triton continued their methodical style to begin the third period. With 4:57 left in the third, senior Austin Davis capped a 7-4 Trojan run with a backdoor lay-up to give his team a 31-25 lead. Warsaw coach Doug Ogle signaled for a timeout. Trojan fans, numbering 850 or so, roared out enthusiastic war chants in sheer admiration of what their underdog team had accomplished. Triton had the 2010 IHSAA State runner-up and the current #3 team in all the state of Indiana on the ropes.

Here is where star players either shine or fade into the status of "just pretty good". Warsaw indeed has a star player. This star has led his team to 52 wins in his last 60 games. This star has led his team to 17 consecutive regular season victories. Mr. Moore on this night became just the 3rd Warsaw Tiger to score 1500+ career points with the previous two winning the Mr. Basketball award (Jeff Grose & Kevin Ault).

This star knew it was time to shine.

Over the next seven minutes of action Nic Moore scored 12 of the next 16 Warsaw points to cap a 16-2 Tiger run. Moore swished jumpers from everywhere over everyone wearing blue. He stole the ball 4 times to lead the fast break and ultimately destroy the Triton game plan of slowing down the game. Nic Moore single-handedly took over.

When the smoke had cleared Triton had witnessed their six point advantage turn into an eight point deficit. Beyond that, the fans in blue had just witnessed why #11 is making a serious claim at the state's most distinguished award for the best all-around basketball player. Nic Moore had led his Tiger team to a 41-33 lead with 6:50 left to play on the game.

You wouldn't believe it unless you saw it. If you saw it you just can't believe it. Sick!

Triton would get no closer than 5 points (48-43) the rest of this Mid-Winter Classic contest. Warsaw outscored the Trojans 34-19 in the second half to win the game 55-43.

The Illinois State-bound Moore poured in a game-high 35 points for Warsaw. Nic is now averaging 34.5 points per game through the first six games.

Junior back-court mate Jordyn Coon stepped up his game in a 12 point performance. Coon slashed his way to the basket on several occasions to finish plays with his incredible athleticism. Lucas Grose was his typical monster-self on the rebounding front. The 6'5" junior hauled down 9 rebounds to lead Warsaw in that all-important category.

Complete Scoring for Warsaw:

Triton was led by Griffyn Carpenter's 13 points and Clay Yeo's 10 points. The Trojan's fell to 5-3 on the year.

The Tigers now turn their attention to the prestigious City Securities Hall of Fame Classic (CLICK HERE FOR LINK) in New Castle. Warsaw will battle class (4A) #2 Bloomington South in the 1:00pm game. Bloomington South has won an incredible 76 of their last 80 (95%) basketball games. Are you serious? They are led by Dee Davis and Spencer Turner who are both considered to be top ten players in the entire state. Washington, featuring Nic Moore's closest rival for Mr. Basketball and recent Indiana University signee Cody Zeller, will play Center Grove in the day's first game.

Posted In: Boy's Sports > Basketball

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