HUNTINGTON – Coach Doug Ogle issued the challenge. The players on his Warsaw boys basketball team were certainly up for it. One night after a heartbreaking, 1-point loss at Class 4A No. 3 Homestead, the Tigers bounced back Saturday with a 62-49 win at Huntington North. Ogle admitted he was concerned his team might come out flat, given the energy, emotion and effort put into Friday's thriller. The questions he had, however, were answered in a big way. “I was really worried how we'd respond,” said Ogle, whose team improved to 3-1 on the season. “I was worried we'd come out flat or have a hangover because we put so much into the game at Homestead. I was pleased with the way we played tonight.” The Tigers trailed 15-11 after one quarter of play, but outscored the host Vikings 18-9 in the second quarter and later 16-9 in the fourth quarter. Warsaw finished the game 24 of 39 (62 percent) from the field overall and 12 of 16 from the free throw line. Huntington North, which fell to 2-2 on the season, made eight three-pointers in the game, but was just 17 of 37 (46 percent) from the field overall and was outrebounded 25-16. Coming off the bench for the first time this season, junior point guard Paul Marandet scored a career-high 14 points, grabbed seven rebounds, made three steals and dished out two assists for the Tigers. Senior Jake Mangas scored 14 points of his own in the win, while classmate Rashaan Jackson added 10 points, eight rebounds, four steals and a pair of assists. “I thought Paul Marandet played really well, he was a pretty good quarterback for our offense tonight,” said Ogle. “That's untapped scoring. It's nice to see him to do that. We've been trying to get him to do that. I thought the combination of Paul Marandet, Jake Mangas and Rashaan Jackson was pretty good tonight.” Senior Nick Sands was 4 of 5 from the field and scored nine points for the Tigers, while junior Riley Rhoades was 3 of 3 for six points, Tim Swanson was 1 of 1 from the field and 2 of 2 at the charity stripe for five points and sophomore Kyle Mangas chipped in with four points, four steals and three assists. “I was proud of the way we came out and responded to the challenge,” said Ogle. “We didn't feel sorry for ourselves after losing (Friday night). The players came out ready to compete, and I appreciate that.” For coach Rob Irwin's Vikings, senior Caleb Landrum scored 14 points, while junior Konner Platt added nine points and sophomore Sam Daugherty chipped in with seven points and five rebounds. The Vikings are in action again Wednesday when they host New Haven. Warsaw hosts Manchester Thursday. “Manchester is a good team,” said Ogle. “They played us pretty tough last year, and with the addition of Chainey Zolman, they'll be ready. It's odd that we play on a Thursday, but we're going to enjoy this win and be ready to go when the Squires come to town.”
WARSAW 62, HUNTINGTON NORTH 49 War 11 18 17 16 – 62 HN 15 9 16 9 – 49 Warsaw – Kyle Mangas 1-5 2-2 4, Paul Marandet 5-8 4-5 14, Jeremy David 0-0 0-0 0, Evan Schmidt 0-1 0-0 0, Tim Swanson 1-1 2-2 5, Nick Sands 4-5 0-0 9, Jake Mangas 6-8 2-3 14, Rashaan Jackson 4-8 2-4 10, Riley Rhoades 3-3 0-0 6. Totals 24-39 12-16 62. H. North – Konner Platt 3-9 1-2 9, Luke Pulver 1-1 0-0 2, Joe Stoffel 0-0 0-0 0, Sam Daugherty 3-5 0-1 7, Granville Shultz 1-1 0-1 3, Caleb Landrum 4-8 4-4 14, Isaac Smith 1-2 0-0 3, Hunter Hollowell 0-2 2-2 2, Luke Stroud 1-3 0-0 3, Luke Reust 1-1 0-0 2, Cody Adams 2-5 0-0 4, Ethan Shafer 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 17-37 7-10 49. Three-pointers – Warsaw 2 (Swanson, Sands), H. North 8 (Platt 2, Landrum 2, Daugherty, Shultz, Smith, Stroud); Rebounds – Warsaw 25 (Jackson 8), H. North 16 (Adams 4); Turnovers – Warsaw 11, H. North 16; Fouls – Warsaw 15, H. North 18; Fouled out – Daugherty; Records: Warsaw 3-1, H. North 2-2 JV – H. North 53, Warsaw 42 Warsaw (3-1) – Jeremy David 12, Rane Kilburn 9, Bishop Harrison 7, Jaceb Burish 4, Braxton Minix 4, Ross Johnson 3, Jordan Steffensmeir 3
