Lady Tigers Destroy Visiting Elkhart 60-28

January 27, 2021 at 4:12 a.m.
Lady Tigers Destroy Visiting Elkhart 60-28
Lady Tigers Destroy Visiting Elkhart 60-28

By Chip Davenport-

After a three-point shot by Elkhart’s Jaya Johnson, who closed Warsaw’s lead to 11-7, the Warsaw Lady Tigers went on a 10-2 run before the first quarter buzzer sounded to finish the opening frame with a 21-9 lead and never looked back.

Warsaw was dominant inside, aggressive on defense, and crisp in their passing in transition to close their regular season with a 60-28 win over the Elkhart Lions.

The Tigers’ final home contest showcased their ability to finish on offense, to win every quarter and widened their lead each quarter.

Warsaw headed to the locker room at halftime leading 31-13 with 11 assists on 12 baskets.

The third quarter lead widened to 44-21, and even the final period, after Coach Lenny Krebs cleared the bench. They added more comfort to their cushion closing the period 16-7 to seal the 60-28 win.

Crisp passing resulted in strong inside baskets by Audrey Grimm and Abby Sanner. The duo contributed to a large portion of the Tigers’ 38 points in the paint.

Grimm’s 13 second half points came in the form of layups in transition, and using her speed to drive the lane backside with passes from Kendall Wayne and Bailie Stephens (5 assists each), Kensie Ryman and Ava Wetzel (2 assists each). The quartet of guards also found Sanner with quick, high passes that the 6’2” junior was able to snare and convert to inside baskets.

Krebs commented about the past week’s practices facilitating the Tigers’ return to better ball movement.

“You’d be throwing or catching a crisp pass too and keeping the ball high if I were harping on you,” he said. “That’s what makes us an efficient offensive team when we’re clicking on all cylinders. We’re not staring down and holding the ball. We keep using the (phrase) ‘don’t stall the ball’ when we’re dribbling with no purpose or just holding the basketball. I’m proud of our offense tonight, and all the girls who played.”

The hosts’ senior leadership among Grimm, Wayne and Ryman was evident.

“Our three seniors showed us how to get that momentum, what we need to do to be successful in sectional. We going to take this win and build on it this week and prepare for Goshen. This is a very motivated group right now.”



The Lions were held to 35% shooting and forced into 25 turnovers by a swarming Tiger defense. D’Mour Watson led Elkhart with 10 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.



Krebs believed the continuously aggressive defensive effort afforded the Tigers a natural progression toward offensive success.



He said, “Defensive intensity leads to offensive confidence.”



Grimm’s 17 points led the way for the Tigers, followed by Ryman’s 15, and Sanner’s 12. Stephens and Wayne added 5 points apiece, followed by Zoe Bergen and Abigail Davis (3 points apiece).



Stephens snared seven steals to fortify a well-rounded evening for the junior guard, who spelled Kacilyn Krebs in the starting lineup. Krebs has been practicing this week and will return in time for the sectional opener. Grimm and Sanner each blocked 2 shots.



Warsaw connected on 25 of 44 field goals (57%), including 5 of 10 beyond the arc, shooting consistently well throughout the night. They added 5 of 6 (83%) from the charity stripe.



The JV Tigers finished 14-4 with a win over Elkhart. They also sported a conference-best 7-0 record.



Krebs coached fourteen seasons in the Maple City, so the recent loss to Goshen, the sectional hosts, still sticks in his craw. He’ll spend the week preparing his team to exact revenge for the 48-38 loss suffered twelve days ago. Warsaw travels to the Goshen sectional Tuesday, February 2nd following the 6:00 p.m. opening fray.



Krebs said, “You can bet I feel that (loss to Goshen) was one that got away from us, and I’ve been focused on that one. I’m gonna go home, eat some supper, then take out the film and dissect that game.”



The Tigers finished their regular season 16-5 overall and 6-1 in the Northern lakes Conference.



After a three-point shot by Elkhart’s Jaya Johnson, who closed Warsaw’s lead to 11-7, the Warsaw Lady Tigers went on a 10-2 run before the first quarter buzzer sounded to finish the opening frame with a 21-9 lead and never looked back.

Warsaw was dominant inside, aggressive on defense, and crisp in their passing in transition to close their regular season with a 60-28 win over the Elkhart Lions.

The Tigers’ final home contest showcased their ability to finish on offense, to win every quarter and widened their lead each quarter.

Warsaw headed to the locker room at halftime leading 31-13 with 11 assists on 12 baskets.

The third quarter lead widened to 44-21, and even the final period, after Coach Lenny Krebs cleared the bench. They added more comfort to their cushion closing the period 16-7 to seal the 60-28 win.

Crisp passing resulted in strong inside baskets by Audrey Grimm and Abby Sanner. The duo contributed to a large portion of the Tigers’ 38 points in the paint.

Grimm’s 13 second half points came in the form of layups in transition, and using her speed to drive the lane backside with passes from Kendall Wayne and Bailie Stephens (5 assists each), Kensie Ryman and Ava Wetzel (2 assists each). The quartet of guards also found Sanner with quick, high passes that the 6’2” junior was able to snare and convert to inside baskets.

Krebs commented about the past week’s practices facilitating the Tigers’ return to better ball movement.

“You’d be throwing or catching a crisp pass too and keeping the ball high if I were harping on you,” he said. “That’s what makes us an efficient offensive team when we’re clicking on all cylinders. We’re not staring down and holding the ball. We keep using the (phrase) ‘don’t stall the ball’ when we’re dribbling with no purpose or just holding the basketball. I’m proud of our offense tonight, and all the girls who played.”

The hosts’ senior leadership among Grimm, Wayne and Ryman was evident.

“Our three seniors showed us how to get that momentum, what we need to do to be successful in sectional. We going to take this win and build on it this week and prepare for Goshen. This is a very motivated group right now.”



The Lions were held to 35% shooting and forced into 25 turnovers by a swarming Tiger defense. D’Mour Watson led Elkhart with 10 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.



Krebs believed the continuously aggressive defensive effort afforded the Tigers a natural progression toward offensive success.



He said, “Defensive intensity leads to offensive confidence.”



Grimm’s 17 points led the way for the Tigers, followed by Ryman’s 15, and Sanner’s 12. Stephens and Wayne added 5 points apiece, followed by Zoe Bergen and Abigail Davis (3 points apiece).



Stephens snared seven steals to fortify a well-rounded evening for the junior guard, who spelled Kacilyn Krebs in the starting lineup. Krebs has been practicing this week and will return in time for the sectional opener. Grimm and Sanner each blocked 2 shots.



Warsaw connected on 25 of 44 field goals (57%), including 5 of 10 beyond the arc, shooting consistently well throughout the night. They added 5 of 6 (83%) from the charity stripe.



The JV Tigers finished 14-4 with a win over Elkhart. They also sported a conference-best 7-0 record.



Krebs coached fourteen seasons in the Maple City, so the recent loss to Goshen, the sectional hosts, still sticks in his craw. He’ll spend the week preparing his team to exact revenge for the 48-38 loss suffered twelve days ago. Warsaw travels to the Goshen sectional Tuesday, February 2nd following the 6:00 p.m. opening fray.



Krebs said, “You can bet I feel that (loss to Goshen) was one that got away from us, and I’ve been focused on that one. I’m gonna go home, eat some supper, then take out the film and dissect that game.”



The Tigers finished their regular season 16-5 overall and 6-1 in the Northern lakes Conference.



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