Seven sophomores appear on Lady Tigers' varsity team
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Dale Hubler-dhubler@timesuniononline.com
With just a quick glance, one might confuse Warsaw’s varsity girls basketball roster for that of a list of JV players. That’s not a knock on coach Michelle Harter’s players, just the truth of how young they are. The Lady Tigers’ 11-player varsity roster is comprised of four seniors and seven sophomores. While the majority of them aren’t old enough to drive a car, they will be counted on if the the Lady Tigers are to compete for a Northern Lakes Conference championship or a sectional title. They will have to play beyond their age against a schedule that includes the likes of LaPorte, NorthWood, Penn and Wabash, all of which won at least 19 games last year. The Lady Tigers’ 2014-15 schedule also includes Fort Wayne Luers, Noblesville and Whitko, teams that each won at least 16 games last season. “We’re going to be young this year,” said Harter, who brings a record of 90-41 into her seventh season at the helm of Warsaw’s tradition-rich program. “We have four seniors, and then we have seven sophomores. We’re going to be young, but we’re going to be fun to watch.” The Lady Tigers open the season Saturday when they host Huntington North. Expected to be in the starting lineup for the first game are seniors Jodie Carslon and Pam Miller, and sophomores Madi Graham, Dayton Groninger and Kilee Slone. Also on Warsaw’s roster are seniors Vicki Harris and Erin Clemens, and sophomores Page Desenberg, Mariah Rivera, Kenzie Welk and Lauren Shaffner. After winning just two of their first nine games, the Lady Tigers were 10-10 overall and 5-2 in the NLC last season. Warsaw fell 42-41 to eventual champion Northridge in the sectional semifinal. Gone from that team because of graduation are Nikki Grose, Eryn Leek and Brooklyn Harrison. Grose and Leek were both starters on the Lady Tigers’ 2013 team that was 24-2 and one win away from going to state. Grose, now playing at Indiana Tech, averaged 14 points and nine rebounds per game last season. She also posted team-highs in steals and blocks. Harrison was Warsaw’s second-leading scorer a year ago at 7.4 points per game, led the team in assists and shared top honors in steals with Grose. Leek, now playing at Holy Cross, averaged 5.2 points and was the team’s primary ball-handler. “Nikki Grose did so much more than score points for us,” Harter said when asked about the void left behind by the standout frontliner. “She was a shot blocker, and that allowed us to be more aggressive. Rebounding was also something we were very good at. “We’re going to be different this year, but I really like this team, they’re eager to learn and willing to work,” continued Harter. “They really get along. With the players we have this year, we’re going to be a different team.” Rather than getting the ball into the paint so often, as they did with Grose, Harter said the Lady Tigers may get out and run, as well as put up three-point shots. “I think we can get up and down the floor,” said Harter. “We’re young, and this group is super unselfish. When a team is willing to make the extra pass, to me that’s exciting basketball to watch. I think we’re going to be a fun team to watch.” Following Saturday’s game with Huntington North, the Lady Tigers host Luers Tuesday and county rival Tippecanoe Valley on Nov. 21. Warsaw will then hit the road for games at Noblesville, Whitko and Norwell. The Lady Tigers open NLC play on Dec. 13 by hosting Plymouth. Among other notable games, on Dec. 30 Warsaw will once again host the Lady Tiger Tournament, which features Lowell, Perry Meridian and South Bend St. Joe.
