Warsaw senior guard Paul Marandet's popularity among Tiger fans and college coaches grew greater and greater from last summer and with each game through the Tigers' remarkable 2015-16 boys basketball season. Weeks ago, the sure-handed senior announced he was headed to Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, Michigan, and Friday he made it official with the signing of his letter-of-intent. Marandet was instrumental in Warsaw's best start in school history, as coach Doug Ogle's squad captured wins in its first 20 games and concluded with a tremendous 25-2 record and Final Four appearance. Marandet finished the season averaging 13 points and nearly four rebounds and four assists per game. Additionally, he had a 2.1 to 1 assists to turnovers ratio, a statistic very impressive considering the amount of times the Tiger offense started, went through, was managed by, and often ended with the ball in his hands. Not only was Marandet one of the conductors of this year's remarkable run, his heroics and efforts helped Warsaw reach the semistate for the first time since the 2010 Tigers marched to the state championship game. Marandet's senior season may be highlighted with his take-the-game-over approach in a huge NLC win over NorthWood early in the season, as well as his career-high 37-point outburst that lifted Warsaw to a thrilling double-overtime victory over South Bend Riley in the opening round of the Michigan City Regional. However, Tiger fans who made the home games and the trips on the road will not only remember what Marandet did in those two games, but rather how he played the game every time he toed the court this season – a player that clearly loved to compete, respected his teammates and coaches, and one who was entirely unselfish from the opening tip to the final buzzer. Marandet led Warsaw from the free throw line with an 86 percent shooting percentage (148-172), including a 21-of-21 performance in the regional win over Riley. Marandet was impressive from the floor as well, shooting 52 percent on 98-of--187 shooting, and his guidance helped Warsaw play to a 1.19 points-per-possession performance for the season. Among the team leaders in steals with 36, Marandet was a key figure in the Tiger defensive system that held frustrate opponents most every outing. Warsaw held its opponents to under 40 points per game, the second lowest points-against average in the state. Following the season, the accolades and awards rolled in for Marandet, who was named to the Top 60 Seniors Workout earlier this month, was an All-Northern Lakes Conference selection, an Indiana Basketball Coaches Association All-State selection and a high honorable mention selection to the Associated Press All-State team. Marandet, who achieved Scholar Athlete distinction, will major in Business Administration and play for coach Ryan Cottingham and the Cougars. A member of the NAIA, Spring Arbor's schedule in the Crossroads League will allow Marandet the opportunity to return close to home quite often, with Indiana Wesleyan, Marian, Taylor, Grace, Saint Francis, Huntington, Bethel, Mount Vernon Nazarene and Goshen all members of the conference.
