Individually, they would likely star on any team they played for. Together, Warsaw junior Kyle Mangas and senior teammate Paul Marandet make up one of the best backcourt duos in basketball-crazy Indiana. Mangas is a humble and soft-spoken offensive juggernaut, shooting 55 percent from the field overall, 45 percent from the arc and 81 percent from the free throw line. He averages just under 20 points per game for the sixth-ranked Tigers, who won their first 20 games of the season and take a 21-1 record into this week’s sectional at historic North Side Gym in Elkhart Marandet is more outspoken, bringing a brand of self-confidence to the court that has helped him average 12 points, four assists and nearly four rebounds per game. Marandet, a three-year starter, shoots 51 percent from the field and 83 percent from the charity stripe, all the while being a lockdown defender for a stingy Warsaw team that gives up just 39 points per game. As different as their personalities are, they are the perfect compliment for each other on the basketball court. For everything they mean to coach Doug Ogle’s team, Mangas and Marandet have been selected as the Times-Union Area Co-Players of the Year. There are a few others in the area that scored more points than Mangas or Marandet this season, but none that did so against the difficult schedule the Tigers faced. “Both guys are really competitive, I think that’s where you start,” Ogle said of his dynamic duo, which he has referred to many times this season as the M&M boys. “The outcome is important to them. I think Kyle is a gifted athlete and has a knack for knowing how to score. Not everybody has that knack for getting their shot off. He’s shooting 45 percent on threes, he gets to the free throw line, he can score in transition ... so he’s a multi-faceted scorer. “Paul, with his offensive production really picking up this year, that has been a big deal for us. With him scoring more and being more aggressive and getting to the free throw line has been a big boost. “They’re both good in the basket area, they’re both good at getting to the free throw line. They both make their free throws. Our big advantage at the free throw line this season is due in large part to Kyle and Paul’s ability to get to the line. “They’re both also very good defenders. When you have two players as good as they are offensively, and they’re that good defensively too, that makes things tough on your opponent.” Mangas started last season as a sophomore and led a balanced Warsaw team with just under 12 points per game. The Tigers took an 18-4 record into the sectional but were knocked off by a six-win Concord team in the tournament opener. Mangas is focused on not letting that sort of thing happen again this year. “We’re looking forward to it, especially after the last two seasons we lost close games, upsets,” said Mangas. “We’re ready to get back at it and win one this year. “It was a huge sting (losing to Concord in the opener last year), especially for it to be my brother’s last game. We were expecting to win that. Yeah, that was a bad feeling.” Marandet has doubled his offensive production from a year ago. He also leads the team in assists, is second to Mangas in steals and is third on the team in rebounds per game. “It’s been an incredible season,” said Marandet. “As a senior, I couldn’t really ask for anything more. Our defense has been really good this year. We’re one of the best defensive teams in the state of Indiana. It’s a whole different season going into sectionals. We’re 0-0 again, and we have to go out and prove ourselves again.” The Tigers are looking for their first postseason victory and sectional title since 2013. With Mangas and Marandet leading the way, Ogle likes his team’s chances.
