The Fort Wayne Memorial Coliseum was host to Friday night's Sportcenter Hoops Classic. There were four teams on the card on this snowy night in late February. The first two teams to play had compiled an amazing 34 wins against just 4 losses on their way to capturing conference title crowns for their schools. Not to mention neither team had been defeated in nearly two months.

The FW Carroll Chargers (17-2) were sporting a 14 game winning streak entering the game against Warsaw. The Chargers last lost was December 18, 2009 when they lost to NHC foe Homestead 58-53.

The Warsaw Tigers (17-2) had been victorious in their last 10 contests spanning an eight week period. The Tigers last taste of defeat came on the campus of Purdue University. Warsaw lost to Noblesville 53-47 on January 2, 2010 inside Mackey Arena.

At any rate, something had to give in this class 4A heavyweight battle between the #8 Tigers and the #11 Chargers. Which team would extend their winning streak and carry much needed momentum into next week's sectional action?

As the tip off was set to begin the game, both fan sections were well populated. The Charger fans in their neon green and royal blue attire. The ever growing Warsaw fans were out in full force wearing their black and orange in support of their state-ranked Tigers. Another great atmosphere unique to Hoosier Hysteria and Indiana High School Basketball. Excitement abounds!

The opening tip controlled by the Tigers.

The first two Warsaw possessions came up empty as Nic Moore became familiar with the open air inside the Coliseum.

Carroll scored the first basket of the night on a baseline hesitation by senior guard Stephen Jones. Jones' lay-up was the only Charger score thru the first three minutes of action as his team familiarized themselves with the post-season atmosphere.

With 5:10 on the clock and the Tigers still scoreless, Nic Moore drove through the lane on his way to the basket for Warsaw. Moore drew a shooting foul and knocked down two free throws. The butterflies now gone for both teams, the game began to settle in. Tigers 2 - Chargers 2.

Justin Clemens sprinted the open court following a Carroll miss. Clemens was rewarded for his hustle when Moore delivered the ball up the floor to his senior big man for an easy basket. Nic and Justin have an understanding that is not unlike that of Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne. Rarely does Moore miss his senior captain in the transition game. Warsaw 4 - Carroll 2.

After four consecutive points from the Chargers, Nic Moore took one dribble left before rising up to score from fifteen feet. Moore scored a career-high 32 points two nights ago in a Tiger victory over Elkhart Central. He is playing with supreme confidence right now for Coach Ogle's squad.

Senior forward Andy Conrad sank two free throws with 1:49 left in the first quarter to tie the score at 8 apiece.

Following a Charger basket by junior Cam Wisley, Nic Moore delighted Tiger fans on the other end of the floor. The 5'9" junior sliced through two defenders to swish a floating jumper as he glided to his left. Moore was fouled on the play. He converted the 3-point opportunity to give Warsaw a one point lead (11-10).

Moore struck again on the next possession with just 55 seconds left in quarter #1. Nic pulled the string from 3-point range to extend the Tiger lead to four. Warsaw 14 - Carroll 10.

Mr. Basketball favorite DeShaun Thomas and the Bishop Luers Knights were set to play the next game. Thomas and company had to be reliving recent nightmares as they sat watching Nic Moore break down the Carroll defense.

Charger guard Tyler Ault made two free throws as the opening period expired.

End of Quarter #1: Warsaw 14 - FW Carroll 12

Charger senior Shane Merryman capped a four point spurt with a power lay-up to start the second frame. Carroll regained a 16-14 advantage over the Tigers.

Sophomore Lucas Grose, who was selected all-conference earlier in the week, put his name in the scoring column to tie the score. Grose used a drop step from the left block to gain the inside advantage. Of course, a 6'5" frame full of muscle doesn't hurt your cause under the basket either. Warsaw 16 - Carroll 16.

Fellow sophomore Jordyn Coon drove the left baseline as he skied for an easy basket. Coach Doug Ogle credits this team's success to the development of Coon and Grose. These sophomores have really come a long way in just three months of varsity action.

Justin Clemens extended the Warsaw lead as he scored on a nice entry pass from Zack Linky. Clemens was a unanimous all-NLC selection for the Tigers this season. Tigers lead 20-17 with 5:07 left in the half.

Jordyn Coon drained a 3-pointer to give his squad a 23-17 advantage. Coon spotted up on the right wing when Nic Moore drove the painted area. Moore appeared to be stopped by Carroll defenders before he whipped a cross-court pass to Jordyn for the bomb.

Tiger fans go crazy! This team is so much fun to watch.

Charger senior Greg Schortgen connected on two charity stripe tosses when he was fouled on a three point attempt with 3:45 on the clock. Warsaw 23 - Carroll 19.

The Tigers put together a crucial 9-2 run to close the first half of action.

Juniors Jalen Roscoe and Joey Sparkman each scored a basket off the bench to lead the Warsaw run. Roscoe's basket came in the lane while Sparkman's points were scored on a nice 12 foot jumper from the left baseline.

Nic Moore finished the run with his second three pointer and a basket as the 2nd quarter clock expired. Moore slashed left before stopping short of the interior defenders for Carroll. His shot kissed the basket glass before falling through the hoop. BUZZER!

Warsaw outscored Carroll 18-9 in the period to take an eleven point halftime lead.

End of First Half: Warsaw 32 - FW Carroll 21

Warsaw stormed out of the locker room. Again it was a 9-2 run employed by the Tigers to gain their largest advantage of the evening.

Senior Justin Clemens started the run with a pair of free throws. Clemens connected on 6 of 7 free throw attempts on the night for Warsaw.

Seconds later senior Zack Linky did what he does best. Linky swished a long-range jumper from the college stripe along the right corner for his first points of the night. Warsaw 37 - Carroll 23.

Nic Moore scored the final four points of the run. The first two on a jumper from the baseline. The second on a steal and lay-in. Tigers lead 41-23 with 5:12 left in the 3rd.

FW Carroll responded with a 7-0 run of their own. Stephen Jones scored five of the seven points with Shane Merryman adding the final basket of the Charger spurt. Warsaw 41-Carroll 30.

Nic Moore took it upon himself to end the Charger run. Moore was clobbered on a drive to the basket. He connected on both free throws at the 2:37 mark to push the Tiger advantage back to thirteen.

Again the dynamic duo of Shane Merryman and Stephen Jones carried the Charger team. Merryman scored five points while Jones hit a triple of his own to complete the third quarter scoring for Carroll.

It was the Big Three who finished the Tiger scoring in the frame. Justin Clemens, Nic Moore, and Lucas Grose each found the bottom of the basket as Warsaw held onto their 11 point halftime lead.

Both the Tigers and the Chargers scored 17 points in the third period.

End of Quarter #3: Warsaw 49 - FW Carroll 38

FW Carroll scored the first four points of the final eight minutes.

With the lead now at just seven (49-42) both sets of fans began to argue every whistle blown by the referees. The game between two of the hottest boys teams in the state of Indiana was living up to the hype. Fans from both teams wanted this game BAD.

Justin Clemens scored for Warsaw. Again it was the transition game between Moore and Clemens that accounted for the easy Clemens basket. These two have connected brain waves.

6'7" senior Alex Hipskind scored in the paint for Carroll to keep the game close. Teammate Tyler Ault connected on a floater in the lane on the next possession to bring the Chargers within five. Warsaw 51 - Carroll 46 with 5:19 remaining.

Tiger fans began to get uncomfortable. Carroll fans were jubilant now that their team had a chance.

Nic Moore was fouled on the next Tiger possession. Moore made both free throws to push the lead back to seven. Nic finished 9 for 10 (90%) from the foul line in this game.

The two teams would trade baskets during a three minute stretch of continued stoppages by the officials. Fouls were mounting on both teams as the men in zebra stripes tried to control the game from spiraling out of control. Again, both sets of fans continually barked at every whistle during the stretch.

Jordyn Coon was sent to the foul line with 1:42 on the clock. Jordyn made 1 of 2 free throws to give Warsaw a 56-50 lead.

Rarely does a play that very few fans even notice go down as the most important play in a game of this magnitude. The next Charger possession was the deciding factor of this game.

Carroll had begin to exploit the Tiger interior defense with their 6'5" power forward Shane Merryman. Merryman had scored 15 points to this point in the game. Most of these points in the 2nd half as Merryman began to find his rhythm and confidence in the paint.

To no surprise, Charger coach Marty Beasley called Merryman's number as Carroll setup the entry pass to their stud big man.

Merryman caught the interior pass. He faked once toward the middle before turning baseline as he had done the two previous times he scored. Warsaw junior Nic Moore completely left his defensive assignment on his way to help Lucas Grose on the defensive effort. As Merryman turned baseline, Moore was sitting in the spot waiting for the Charger post man to put the ball on the floor.

Just as Moore had anticipated, Merryman bounced the orange leather ball on the Coliseum floor on his way to a sure basket that would have tightened this game. Before the ball could get back to Merryman's hand, Nic was headed the other direction with the ball for the Tigers.

Justin Clemens was fouled as Carroll had no choice to stop the clock after the Moore steal. Warsaw coach Doug Ogle and varsity assistant David Wayne both smiled when Nic came to the sideline during Clemens' free throw attempts. SEE PHOTO GALLERY.

The smart play Moore had just made is why he is so special. Less than 2-3% of all basketball players would have had the intelligence and forethought to know the situation, the play call, and the importance of the steal in that situation. What Nic Moore lacks in physical size, he more than make up for in basketball IQ. If Nic Moore is not in the top 5 players for the 2011 Mr. Basketball award, then the State of Indiana needs a complete overhaul in the nomination and selection process. Let the Nic Moore for Mr. Basketball 2011 campaign begin. He is that good, folks!

Justin Clemens was again fouled. Again he knocked down both free throw attempts as the Tigers iced this title tilt with less than a minute to play. Warsaw 60 - Carroll 50.

Tiger sophomore Jordyn Coon capped a night of excitement for Warsaw fans. Even though the points did not count, Coon slammed home a power dunk just seconds after the clock had expired. Jordyn smiled at Lucas Grose after the dunk. Almost as if to say, "see big boy, I can do this too!"

Tiger fans will certainly enjoy the high-rising duo of Coon and Grose for the next few seasons.

Complete Scoring for Warsaw:

Nic Moore - 29, Justin Clemens - 14, Jordyn Coon - 8, Lucas Grose - 6, Zack Linky - 3, Andy Conrad - 2, Joey Sparkman - 2, Jalen Roscoe - 2,

Carroll outscored Warsaw 19-17 in the final frame.

Final Score: Warsaw 66 - FW Carroll 57

The victory was the 11th consecutive win for Warsaw. The Tigers finish the regular season with an impressive 18-2 record for the second consecutive season. Carroll finishes with a 17-3 record heading into sectional action.

Posted In: Boy's Sports > Basketball

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