Rebounding edge, clutch FTs lift Tigers to 39-37 win
Posted
Dale Hubler-dhubler@timesuniononline.com
Reeling from last week’s loss at Fort Wayne Snider, a loss that ended its nine-game win streak, Warsaw’s varsity boys basketball team rebounded in a big way Friday night. Pun intended, absolutely intended, as the Tigers used a big advantage on the boards and two clutch free throws from senior Nick Sands to secure a 39-37 win over visiting Northern Lakes Conference opponent Concord. Improving to 12-2 overall and 3-0 in the conference standings, the Tigers outrebounded the Minutemen 25-14, including a 15-3 advantage on the offensive glass. None of Warsaw’s rebounds were bigger than one by senior Jake Mangas with one minute to play, as his putback basket tied the game at 37-all. The Minutemen, who fell to 2-12 overall and 0-4 in the NLC, moved the ball patiently on their ensuing possession before calling a timeout with 30 seconds left. With just over a second to play, the Tigers forced a turnover, and the ball was corralled by Sands, who was intentionally fouled by Concord sophomore Denzel Halliburton. With eight-tenths of a second on the clock, Sands calmly made both charity tosses to keep the Tigers unbeaten in the NLC and on a collision course with the NorthWood Panthers, who are 12-1 overall, 4-0 in conference play, and who will visit the Tiger Den Friday. “That was by far the biggest difference in the game,” Warsaw coach Doug Ogle said when asked about his team’s advantage over Concord on the boards. “It was a low-possession game, and we got 39 shots tonight because of our rebounding,” added Ogle. “We had 15 offensive rebounds. Concord only had 14 total rebounds. That was the biggest difference.” Jake Mangas, who finished the game with six points, led the Tigers’ prowess on the glass with eight boards, while his younger brother, sophomore Kyle Mangas, added five rebounds to go along with a team-high 17 points. Sands chipped in with seven points, while senior Rashaan Jackson scored five points and juniors Riley Rhoades and Paul Marandet rounded out Warsaw’s scoring with two points each. Friday’s conference contest was the Tigers’ first home game in nearly three weeks, and it was fourth-straight game in which Warsaw has struggled offensively. Despite making just 16 of 39 shots from the field overall, 3 of 12 attempts from the arc, and only 4 of 8 free throws, the Tigers found a way to win. “This is the fourth game in a row we’ve really struggled shooting the ball,” said Ogle. “We’re in a shooting slump right now, but I’m proud of the fact we found a way to win. There’s nights you’re offense isn’t going to be there. You have to be able to win games in more than one fashion, and tonight it was rebounding.” Concord, which made 13 of 25 attempts from the field overall, 4 of 14 shots from the arc, and 7 of 8 free throws, led 11-4 after one quarter of play. After trailing 11-2 in the opening frame, the Tigers used a 13-1 run and went on to lead 19-18 at halftime and 31-27 at the end of the third quarter. “I appreciated the way our players didn’t get down in several situations,” said Ogle. “We held our composure when were down 11-2 in the first quarter, and we showed poise late in the game. I’m proud of this win.” Senior Filip Serwatka led Concord with a game-high 25 points, an offensive performance that included two rim-rocking dunks. Serwatka grabbed seven of Concord’s 14 rebounds. Sophomore Danny McMahon chipped in with six points in the loss, while senior Jerrell Pointdexter, sophomore Brandon Emerick and Halliburton scored two points each. Warsaw is in action again tonight when it hosts Fort Wayne Northrop, while Concord entertains Wawasee Friday.
WARSAW 39, CONCORD 37 Con 11 7 9 10 – 37 War 4 15 12 8 – 39 Concord – Brandon Emerick 1-3 0-0 2, Jerrell Pointdexter 0-0 2-2 2, Denzel Halliburton 1-2 0-0 2, Austin Danner 0-0 0-0 0, Dylan Troyer 0-1 0-0 0, Marvell Danner 0-1 0-0 0, Danny McMahon 2-5 2-2 6, Filip Serwatka 9-13 3-4 25. Totals 13-25 7-8 37. Warsaw – Kyle Mangas 7-11 1-3 17, Paul Marandet 1-4 0-1 2, Jeremy David 0-0 0-0 0, Peyton Long 0-0 0-0 0, Tim Swanson 0-4 0-0 0, Nick Sands 2-8 2-2 7, Jake Mangas 3-4 0-0 6, Rashaan Jackson 2-6 1-2 5, Riley Rhoades 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 16-39 4-8 39. Three-pointers – Concord 4 (Serwatka 4), Warsaw 3 (K. Mangas 2, Sands); Rebounds – Concord 14 (Serwatka 7), Warsaw 25 (J. Mangas 8); Turnovers – Concord 8, Warsaw 7; Fouls – Concord 9, Warsaw 12; Fouled out – none; Records: Concord 2-12 (0-4 NLC), Warsaw 12-2 (3-0 NLC) JV – Warsaw 35, Concord 28 Warsaw – Bishop Harrison 7, Ross Johnson 6, Rane Kilburn 5, Jaceb Burish 4, Braxton Minix 4, Tristan Frye 3, Evan Schmidt 3, Jeremy David 2, Sam Miller 1
