‘Gritty Effort,’ Comeback Takes Tigers Past Valparaiso
‘Gritty Effort,’ Comeback Takes Tigers Past Valparaiso
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Alaister McFarren-
‘Gritty Effort,’ Comeback Takes Tigers Past ValparaisoIn their first game since Dec. 21, the Warsaw Tigers boys basketball team defeated a tall, physical Valparaiso team Friday night 43-40 in a game that went down to the buzzer.
Valparaiso’s superior size and length gave Warsaw fits throughout the opening half. They repeatedly fed the post, and in particular 6-foot-6 junior Cooper Jones, who had eight points off post-ups in the first half. Their length also resulted in numerous Warsaw turnovers, especially when trying to kick the ball out of the post.
The Tigers got off to a rough start in the first quarter, falling behind 8-0 after giving up two quick offensive rebounds to Valparaiso sophomore Breece Walls that led to baskets.
Warsaw’s biggest issue in the first quarter was allowing Valparaiso to get to the free throw line: they allowed seven shots at the charity stripe, resulting in five points for the opposition.
Their defense and decision making noticeably sharpened in the second quarter, however. Allowing only five points in the quarter, the Tigers cut the lead to four by halftime.
“Considering how we played, we felt good at the half,” said Warsaw head coach Doug Ogle. “Our offense was bad, and we didn’t handle the ball well, but we rebounded well. It could have been a lot worse.”
Rebounding proved to be Warsaw’s key to winning the game. Despite Valparaiso having a significant height advantage, Warsaw out-rebounded them 32-24 overall. This included a 14-6 advantage on the offensive glass.
“I think the rebounding numbers say a lot about who won the physical aspect of the game,” said Ogle. “It was a gritty effort.”
The third quarter ended with Valparaiso up six, and a three to open the final period gave them a nine-point lead that looked like a tough obstacle to overcome. However, the Tiger offense finally founds its rhythm over the last few minutes of the fourth.
“We had no flow most of the game; we struggled for a long time,” said Ogle. “But then you go on a streak and get momentum, and that boosts the defense, and that’s how we were able to come away with a win.”
That momentum came quickly when two pointers by junior Luke Adamiec and senior Jaylen Coon and a three pointer by senior Wyatt Amiss on three consecutive possessions made the score 31-35 with just over four minutes to go in the game. Then, after another Adamiec basket, an assist by senior Keagan Larsh to a cutting Amiss tied the game at 35.
After a basket by Walls put the visitors ahead again, a three pointer by Coons gave Warsaw their first lead of the game, and they would not relinquish the rest of the way.
Senior Brandon Mack hoisted a three-point shot to tie the game at the buzzer, but it rimmed out to give Warsaw the victory.
Despite the impressive comeback, the Tigers gave the Vikings plenty of chances to crawl back into the game over the final few minutes. Senior Blake Marsh, who has struggled at the line this season, hit only three of seven free throws in the fourth. Coons, who had been perfect from the line this season, missed two as well.
Ogle accredited some of their free throw struggles to how long it had been since his team had played – two entire weeks.
“We didn’t practice as much as we’d like over the first half of Christmas break so that our football guys could rest up a bit,” Ogle said. “Despite the struggles from the line, Marsh did a lot of good things for us in this game.”
Marsh and Amiss combined for six assists against only two turnovers in the game.
“That’s great production from your senior guards,” Ogle said.
Warsaw (7-1, 1-0 NLC) plays Culver Academies (4-3) next Tuesday at home.
