Tigers Thrash Top-Ranked NorthWoodWith time winding down in Friday night’s highly-anticipated Northern Lakes Conference game against Class 3A No. 1 NorthWood, it was fitting that Warsaw’s student section chanted “this is our house.” In a dominating 54-37 win, the host Tigers certainly looked at home as they made 55 percent of their attempts from the field overall, 8 of 12 from three point range, and 8 of 9 at the free throw line. On the flip side, the previously unbeaten Panthers looked like outsiders, as they were 12 of 37 overall, 6 of 19 from the arc, and 7 of 15 at the charity stripe. Warsaw, now 40-12 in the all-time series, improved to 12-5 overall this season and 5-0 in the NLC with its 19th straight league win. The Panthers fell to 14-1 and 4-1, and saw their all-time record in the Tiger Den fall to 1-25, a mark that includes games in Warsaw’s current gym as well as what is now Lakeview Middle School. “Our team was confident, but not overconfident, you can’t be against NorthWood,” said Warsaw coach Doug Ogle. “They were 14-0 and ranked No. 1 in 3A, and they’re very capable offensively. But, we thought that if we could contain (senior Vincent) Miranda, and also rebound, we had a good chance.” Mission accomplished. The Tigers held Miranda to 13 points, nine below his average, and outrebounded the Panthers 24-18. Miranda, who was 2 of 12 from the field in a 51-35 loss to Warsaw in Nappanee last year, was just 3 of 13 Friday. All three of his makes were three-pointers, and he was 4 of 7 from the free throw line. Miranda scored eight points in the first quarter, but didn’t score again until the fourth quarter when the outcome was already evident. “He’s had one off-night for us this year, and it just happened to be tonight,” NorthWood coach Aaron Wolfe said of Miranda. Junior Caleb Lung scored 12 points for NorthWood. Senior Luke Zurcher chipped in with six. While NorthWood’s star player was struggling to find his shooting touch, Warsaw standout and Indiana All-Star hopeful Kyle Mangas continued his climb up the Tigers’ all-time scoring list. The versatile 6-foot-3 Mangas was 6 of 9 from the field overall, 3 of 5 from the arc, and 6 of 7 at the charity stripe en route to a game-high 21 points. His statline also included five assists, four rebounds and three steals. His 21 points moved his career total to 1,181 points, tying him for seventh on Warsaw’s career list with 1970 graduate Kim Essenburg. “I thought he took advantage of his opportunities tonight,” Wolfe, a former Warsaw assistant, said of Mangas. “In transition, I think there was two or three times he took advantage of getting to the basket. And then I think he found openings with his jumpshot, and generally he has been someone who can hurt you driving the basketball. “I thought the combination of getting out in transition, making the defense play really tight because his jumpshot was going in, and also his teammates loosening up space for him made him a really good basketball player tonight.” Juniors Zach Riley and Asher Blum scored eight points each in the win, while seniors Jeremy David and Jaceb Burish chipped in with six and five points, respectively. Since losing two games in the Hall of Fame Classic just before the new year, the Tigers have improved greatly and they look like a different team. That improvement was evident in Friday’s 17-point win over the top-ranked team in Class 3A. “What we weren’t counting on tonight was our three-point shooting,” said Ogle. “Zach Riley was 1 of 13 coming in, but made two, and then another where his foot was just inside the line. Burish made a three, (Nolan) Groninger made a three, (Braxton) Minix made a three. “We played pretty well, but when you shoot like that it’s hard for your opponent. I’m very pleased overall with how we played.” Warsaw led 16-11 after one quarter of play, 26-21 at halftime and 39-27 at the end of the third. The Tigers are in action again tonight with a trip to North Side Gym to play Elkhart Central. NorthWood hosts NLC rival Concord Thursday.
