Opposing teams and fans usually call it home cooking. Warsaw boys basketball coach Doug Ogle likes to think his team has the ability to attack the basket and get to the free throw line.
However you look at it, converting free throw opportunities was key for the Tigers Friday night, as they hit 25 of 32 charity tosses and beat Northern Lakes Conference rival Elkhart Memorial 66-61.The Crimson Chargers were just 6 of 11 at the free throw line.
"We won this game tonight, more than anything, because we got to the free throw line," said Ogle. "We put a lot of pressure on Elkhart Memorial and made them foul us."
The Crimson Chargers were whistled for 25 fouls, while the host Tigers were whistled for 13 fouls.
"We try to be selective and not take so many threes," said Ogle. "When we're patient and attack the basket, we're pretty good. There were times tonight when we were patient and got reversals. When you do that, good things happen."
With the win, Warsaw improved to 12-1 overall and 5-1 in the NLC, while Memorial fell to 8-8 overall and 3-3 in conference play.
Northridge, which did not have a game Friday night, still leads the NLC standings with a 5-0 record.
Warsaw sits in second place, followed by NorthWood (3-2), Concord (3-2), Elkhart Memorial (3-3), Wawasee (1-4), Goshen (1-5) and Plymouth (1-5).
"This win keeps us alive in the NLC, with the hope that maybe Concord can upset Northridge," said Ogle, whose team's only loss this season is to Northridge, a 52-47 setback on Jan. 9.
Northridge has two conference games remaining, tonight at Wawasee and Thursday at Concord.
In Friday's five-point win, the Tigers led 16-12 after the first quarter, 33-28 at halftime and 47-45 heading into the fourth quarter.
Warsaw held a 40-30 lead early in the third quarter, but a pair of clutch three-pointers from Karvel Anderson and some timely baskets by Antonio Sanders helped the Crimson Chargers fight their way back into the game.
A free throw by Robert Fitzsimmons cut the Tiger advantage to one, 47-46, with 7:12 remaining in the game, but Warsaw put together an 8-0 run and led by at least five points the rest of the way.
The Tigers made 15 of 20 free throws in the second half, including a 6-of-6 effort from the line by Taylor Long in the fourth quarter.
Ryne Robinson led Warsaw with 24 points and seven rebounds, while Nic Moore chipped in with 15 points.
"Ryne played well, Nic Played well and Taylor played well," said Ogle. "Those three did a lot of ball handling tonight without a lot of turnovers."
Warsaw turned the ball over just eight times in the game, while Memorial turned the ball over 18 times.
Andy Conrad, who played with packing in both nostrils and later his already-injured shoulder, finished the game with seven points, five steals and four rebounds off the bench.
"Conrad missed two days of school this week because he was sick," said Ogle. "He was bleeding from his nose, he hurt his shoulder. Andy Conrad has been a great example of grit and toughness."
Justin Clemens and Long scored six points each, while Chase Byerly added five and Zack Linky rounded out the Tiger scoring with a three-pointer.
Anderson, who hit 6 of 11 three-pointers, led Memorial with a game-high 25 points.
"I thought Karvel Anderson, who we didn't even know if he was going to play because of a deep thigh bruise, played great," said Ogle. "We lost him maybe four times. He's an unbelievable scorer."
Fitzsimmons added nine points for the Crimson Chargers, while John Bloczynski chipped in with eight points, Michael Kibiloski scored seven points and Sanders finished with six points.
Warsaw will be in action again tonight at Class 4A No. 5 Marion, which improved to 13-1 by beating New Castle 51-35 Friday night.
"We're happy with the win tonight, and now we have a chance to play a top 10 team in the state," said Ogle. "Marion has arguably as much tradition as anyone. I think our guys will be ready to go."
