Wow, what a season it's been for the Warsaw Tigers! They’ve certainly treated us to some Hoosier Hysteria, that's for sure, and I can't wait for Saturday night’s semistate battle with McCutcheon. Well, before I go any farther with this column, I have a confession to make. I’ve broken a rule of sports journalism ... I've become a fan. I don't cheer from press row or anything like that, but yeah, I'm totally captivated by this Warsaw basketball team. I suppose it's only natural, after all, I am from Warsaw. But in 17 years at the Times-Union, I don't remember a team quite like this – on or off the playing surface – not at Warsaw, not at any of the other schools we cover. I don't say that to disrespect any other team, it's more of a compliment to the 2015-16 Warsaw Tigers than anything. Yes, the Tigers’ 25-1 record and their No. 5 ranking in the final Class 4A state poll speak volumes. But honestly, the biggest reason I like this team so much is because of how the players handle themselves. They’ve shown me this season they’re more than just talented basketball players, they're young men of high character. Suffice it to say, as I get older I appreciate the little things more and more. Things that maybe I overlooked in my early days at the Times-Union, back when I just thought it was cool getting in to games for free and getting paid for it. I appreciate the way senior Riley Rhoades gives a firm handshake before and after an interview. I appreciate the way his classmate, Evan Schmidt, is totally locked in during an interview. He makes eye contact from start to finish, something we see less of each day in our world of iPhones, iPads and whatever else we’ve learned to stare at all day long. I appreciate the way senior Paul Marandet and junior Kyle Mangas have become role models to little kids who, because of this special season that is still unfolding, can’t wait until they get to wear a Warsaw uniform. Kids like 5-year-old Andrew Shaw and his friend Zack Reneker. Reneker wears a shirt to the games with Mangas’ name and No. 2 on the back. Shaw does the same for Marandet, and even went as far as having John Conley Jr. at Conley Barber Shop shave a No. 3 and a Tiger paw into his haircut for last week’s Michigan City Regional. I could go on and on. And it’s only fair to mention Jeremy David, Jaceb Burish, Braxton Minix, Ross Johnson, Sam Miller, Aaron Sandoval, Jack Rhoades, Zach Riley and Asher Blum. And of course the coaches, Doug Ogle, David Wayne, Hal Gunter and Tony Sumpter. Each and every one of them, players and coaches, is an important spoke in the wheel. Regardless of what happens Saturday night at the Crawley Center in Lafayette, this team will be remembered as a group of winners far beyond the game of basketball. Well done, gentlemen!
