Warsaw's varsity girls basketball team got off to a quick start in both the first and second half Tuesday evening. It wasn't enough, however, to finish off Northern Lakes Conference rival Elkhart Memorial.
The host Lady Tigers, who entered the game as the only team undefeated in NLC play, outscored the Class 4A No. 10 Lady Crimson Chargers 17-1 over stretches to begin the first and third quarters, but it was Memorial that posted a 57-52 win."When we needed a big rebound or bucket, we just fell short," said Warsaw coach Michelle Harter, whose team was 15 of 42 (36 percent) from the field and turned the ball over 20 times, yet was still very much in the game. "We have to continue to fight as a team. If a game like this helps us win a conference championship or a sectional championship, it's all worth it."
With the five-point loss, Warsaw fell to 12-5 overall and 5-1 in the NLC, while Memorial improved to 18-2 overall and 4-2 in conference play.
NorthWood has suffered just once NLC loss this season, and will play at Warsaw Saturday and host Concord Feb. 5.
"Saturday was going to be a big game either way," Harter said of the matchup with NorthWood, a game that will determine the conference champion. "Any time you play NorthWood, it's going to be a big game, a competitive game. Maybe it'll add a little more pressure since it's for a conference championship. Either way, we have to come out ready to play Saturday."
The Lady Tigers came out ready to play Tuesday, racing out to a 9-1 lead over. By the end of the first quarter, however, Memorial cut the Warsaw's advantage to 12-9.
The Lady Crimson Chargers then took a 27-25 lead into halftime.
Opening the third quarter with an 8-0 run, the Lady Tigers again put themselves in position to earn at least a share of the NLC before Saturday's matchup with NorthWood.
But again, Memorial rallied, and Warsaw trailed 34-33 after three quarters of play.
A pair of three-pointers from sophomore Brionna Barnett and a bucket from senior Jada Buggs helped Memorial to a 44-37 lead midway through the fourth quarter, and the Lady Tigers got no closer than four points the rest of the way.
The Lady Tigers trailed by eight before senior Kelci Freds hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to cut into the final margin.
Warsaw was 18 of 24 at the free throw line and outrebounded Memorial 34-28. Memorial was 18 of 44 from the field and 17 of 23 from the charity stripe.
In a game that was decided by five points, Memorial scored 17 points off Warsaw's 20 turnovers. The Lady Tigers scored 10 points off Memorial's 14 turnovers.
"The encouraging thing is, we had 20 turnovers, but we were still in the game," said Harter. "We had plenty of opportunities. We got wide open looks that didn't fall. If we hit a few more shots, maybe it's a different outcome."
Warsaw's focus now is on playing Class 3A No. 9 NorthWood Saturday for a conference championship, something the Lady Tigers haven't had since 2004.
Depending on the tournament draw, Warsaw could play Memorial again in the Concord Sectional.
Freds led Warsaw with a game-high 20 points, nine of which came in the fourth quarter, while junior Kayla Stout added 13 points and nine rebounds.
Senior Kaelee Sands chipped in with eight points for the Lady Tigers, while freshman Lindsay Baker added six points.
Junior Akyah Taylor led Memorial with 16 points and 12 rebounds, while University of Wisconsin-bound Buggs finished with 14 points and six rebounds and Barnett added 14 points and four rebounds.
ELKHART MEMORIAL 57, WARSAW 52
EM 9 18 7 23 - 57
W 12 13 8 19 - 52
Memorial - Branesha Bonner 2-3 0-0 4, Haley King 1-4 0-0 2, Brionna Barnett 4-13 3-4 14, Monica Jones 3-4 1-2 7, Akyah Taylor 4-10 7-9 16, Lindsey Shoup 0-0 0-0 0, Lisa Parsons 0-0 0-0 0, Jada Buggs 4-10 6-8 14, Haleigh Jones 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 18-44 17-23 57.
