GOSHEN – The Warsaw Lady Tigers played less than their best in the first 10 minutes of their Class 4A Goshen Sectional semifinal game against Concord, a team they defeated by 44 points 13 days ago. After a timeout in the second quarter, and corrective discussions at halftime, Warsaw rebounded to take a 70-34 win over the Lady Minutemen Friday night. Concord had cut a nine-point deficit to five, 20-15, early in the second quarter. Warsaw then closed the quarter on a 13-3 run and scored the first 13 points of the third quarter to put the game away. The Lady tigers owned a 20-3 advantage in the third period. In the early stages, however, it looked like the Lady Tigers weren’t ready to go, according to Warsaw head coach Michelle Harter. Warsaw had three players, starters Dayton Groninger and Mariah Rivera and reserve Emma Bohnenkamper, on the bench with two fouls each. When they had the ball, the Lady Tigers struggled with a quick Concord squad, turning the ball over six times in the first quarter and 11 in the first half. “The big thing we talked about at halftime was we just stepped on the floor assuming we were gonna win, and didn’t play with any energy or intensity” she said. “And the one thing we talked about that would allow them to stay in the game was fouling and putting them at the foul line. “We didn’t play good, fundamental defense at the beginning. We were trying to make steals when they weren’t available, and just allowed them to penetrate on the right side. “Offensively, we were throwing the ball around, trying to do the right thing, but we weren’t being efficient with our passes and making good, solid fundamental passes.” Harter said her team took the halftime corrections to heart, and came out with much greater intensity. Groninger and Madi Graham took the lead, combining for 10 points and six rebounds in the third quarter alone. Graham, Groninger and Welk scored 14 points each, while Desenberg finished with 10. (Groninger) had to sit in that first quarter going in to the second, and that’s hard for someone who’s used to being out three on the floor. I thought Dayton responded well; she came out, continued to look to attack the basket. She played much better defense, getting her hands in the passing lane and not reaching in, and got on the boards for us. That’s one big thing Dayton’s been doing consistently for us.” Warsaw used its bench extensively, with Jessie Kersey, Morgan Bruner, Kenzie Martz and Maddie Ryman all playing more minutes than expected. Kersey had four points, and was praised by Harter for her defensive effort. “Jessie Kersey gave us a spark off the bench, and that’s exactly what we needed,” Harter said. “So we put her in the third quarter to keep that spark going, and I think it helped some of the girls sitting there watching, and we told them ‘this is what we want you to do out there defensively.’ They came in and were active on the defensive end with their hands at the appropriate time; not reaching but getting their hands in the passing lanes.” Warsaw advances to the sectional championship game against No. 4 Penn (23-2), a 53-36 winner over Northridge in the other semifinal, at 7:30 p.m. tonight. Harter said the Lady Tigers will need to be at the top of their game. “We’re going to have to play four solid quarters tomorrow on both the offensive and defensive end of the floor,” she said. “Especially on the offensive end and taking care of the basketball; not throwing it away, being strong with the ball and not letting them have live-ball turnovers. “Defensively we need to make sure we’re moving on the flight, and when the shot goes up we’re not allowing second and third opportunities, or bailing them out and putting them at the foul line. We’ll definitely have to play four solid quarters tomorrow and come out with a lot of energy.” Concord was led by Anna Nisen with nine points, and finished its season at 5-18. After starting the season 0-9 (including a 61-37 loss to Penn on Nov. 24), Warsaw is now 11-13.
