Rashaan Jackson is one of five key seniors for Warsaw. The Tigers are sitting pretty at 9-1 so far this season (File photo by Scott Davidson)

WARSAW – Doug Ogle knows there are still plenty of challenges left if his Warsaw boys basketball team is to claim a conference championship.

The veteran Tiger mentor also believes that his stellar squad is going to be ready to meet those challenges.

Warsaw, which checked in at No. 13 in this week’s Associated Press Class 4-A poll, sits at 9-1. The Tigers have won seven in a row since a 60-59 loss at Class 4-A No. 3  Homestead back on Dec. 5. Homestead, led by one of the nation’s top-rated players in 6-8 senior Caleb Swanigan, is 11-1.

Ogle, who is now in his 13th year as the man in charge of the program, was disappointed to learn earlier today that his team’s Northern Lakes Conference home game versus Northridge tonight had to be postponed due to the brutal winter weather.

Who could blame him?

The Tigers have used a beautiful blend of balance on offense and an outstanding show of team play, depth and versatility to forge its fabulous start.

“We may not look like an imposing team during warmups, but we are a hard team to defend,” said Ogle in a phone interview earlier today before a practice. “We’ve had success so far due to our balance on offense. We’ve had at least five different players lead us in scoring in games. We have five players averaging between eight and 11 points-per-game and another at six. We have inside scoring to go with outside shooting.

“The other thing is that coming into this season I was hoping that our depth would be a strength and it definitely has been. We go to our bench and all of those guys have done a great job for us. Guys like Peyton Long and Tim Swanson. It’s been a boost to have Riley Rhoades healthy this year and Jeremy (David) has come on much quicker that we expected him to this year.”

“The last thing is that about the last four games our defense has really gotten better. That has helped us a lot too. The thing that we have to continue to improve on as a team is cutting down on our turnovers.”

Paul Marandet has improved his scoring and been a lock-down defender for the Tigers (File photo by Scott Davidson)

The Tigers, who finished 11-10 overall and 2-5 in the NLC last season, are led by seniors Rashaan Jackson, Jake Mangas, Tim Swanson, Peyton Long and Nick Sands. Sophomore Kyle Mangas, who earned MVP honors in the Warsaw tournament two weeks ago, has been phenomenal. Juniors Paul Marandet and Riley Rhoades, along with sophomore Jeremy David, have been key contributors too.

“I love coaching this team,” said Ogle, who boasts an impressive 185-95 varsity mark at WCHS. “”This team is as enjoyable to coach as any I’ve had. It’s primarily due to our seniors. This team is humble and wants to be coached. Their attitudes are refreshing.”

Seniors Jackson and Nick Sands have both returned to play big roles after being suspended for the final eight games last season due to a violation of the school’s athletic code. Sands was already sidelined due to an injury, but  Jackson was playing great basketball when he was forced to have to sit out.

“I think that both of them have a deeper appreciation now for the opportunity to play high school basketball,” remarked Ogle. “No one talks about Nick, but he’s been phenomenal for us. He was a real unknown after not playing since his sophomore year. He’s been a big plus for us.”

Ogle, who is as humble and classy as they come, will not say his team is the hands-down team to beat in the NLC. The longtime coach is way too smart and measures his words much too carefully to open his mouth and insert foot with fodder for other’s bulletin boards. The Tigers were picked as the team to beat in the NLC in a vote of league coaches taken last month by Anthony Anderson, the high school boys basketball guru for the Elkhart Truth.

Warsaw, which is 1-0 in league play with a win at Wawasee, is focused firmly though on what is going on in the league. The Tigers, each player and coach, pick the NLC games each week as well as other local games. It’s something the team has done for the last three to four years according to Ogle.

“The NLC is important to us and doing this (picking the conference games) was a way to get our players to think about the NLC outside of us. It’s fun and everyone enjoys it. Our players are into the NLC.

“To me winning the NLC is close behind winning a sectional title. We know that all the games left for us in the NLC are challenges and all the teams are capable. I think that our mindset is that we are mature enough as a team not to overlook anyone in the NLC. We know better than that.”

Warsaw last claimed the NLC championship with a 6-1 mark during the 2010-11 campaign.

Warsaw, which has fashioned its mark versus teams with a combined record of 57-41, will host NLC teams Concord (Jan. 23), NorthWood (Jan. 30), Elkhart Memorial (Feb. 6) and Northridge (Feb. 17) and face league road games at Goshen (Jan. 16) and at Plymouth (Feb. 12).

The Tigers are scheduled to return to action Tuesday night versus Elkhart Central at North Side Gym. Warsaw then has a big NLC game at Goshen Friday night and a trip to Fort Wayne Snider on Saturday night.

Senior Nick Sands has returned from a knee injury last season to boost the depth of Warsaw (File photo by Ansel Hygema)