A 12-0 run to open the fourth quarter really put the Warsaw Lady Tigers in a position to pick up a Northern Lakes Conference girls basketball win Saturday at the Tiger Den.
Well, the run actually extended Warsaw's lead to 60-17 over the Goshen Lady Redskins, but it was a noteworthy point in a 62-24 rout.Opening the game with an 8-0 lead, Warsaw was never threatened on a subdued night at Warsaw Community High School, improving to 9-5 overall and 2-2 in the NLC.
"The girls came out and played to their potential," Warsaw coach Michelle Harter said. "That was the one challenge I gave them - to come out and play hard, play with intensity and play good, solid defense. We came out and did the things we needed to do to win."
In the opening stages of the game, the Tigers made it a point to get the ball into the post, which was a benefit.
"Our post players are gaining confidence with each game," Harter said. "They're making nice post moves, and now they're starting to feel if teams are going to double-team them, our guards are doing a nice job of getting into open spots - supplying them with an inside-outside game."
On the night, 5-foot-11 sophomore Kayla Stout led Warsaw with 13 points on 6-for-7 shooting, while 6-foot junior Sarah Shilling hit all five of her shots en rout to a 10-point, seven-steal performance.
In the backcourt, junior Kelci Freds scored nine points and also posted six assists and five steals. Senior Liz Tat scored 12 points.
"Kelci's played two really great games back-to-back with steals and assists to turnovers," Harter said. "Sarah and Kayla are also playing good basketball, gaining confidence."
The lopsided win also afforded Harter the opportunity to get all 12 of her players on the court.
"It was nice to get all the girls in, because they practice day-in and day-out, and work hard," she said. "They need to be rewarded."
Following a three-game losing streak, Warsaw has now won four of five and three straight.
"We did have a rough stretch there, but when you look at the teams we played, four of those five were ranked teams," Harter said, referring to losses to Fort Wayne Bishop Luers (2A, 4th-ranked), Plymouth (3A, 16th), Wawasee (3A, 5th) and Perry Meridian (4A, 12th). "We came out, and were competitive with them and battled with them. I think we gained a lot of confidence, knowing we could come out and play against them. We're a good team. The girls are continuing to realize that and play with confidence."
The Tigers will look to keep gaining confidence with a home game against Fort Wayne Carroll Tuesday, with the junior varsity getting things started at 6:15 p.m.
