Tigers Stifle Vikings
WARSAW – An inspiring defense performance lifted the Warsaw boys basketball team to another win. Holding Huntington North to just 11 points in the first half, the Tigers steadied the course to win 47-30 at the Tiger Den.
The Tigers didn’t blow away the stat sheet with eyepopping numbers, but didn’t have to. Warsaw made just two more shots than Huntington did, shooting 13-31 overall from the floor. But the Tigers more than made up for it from the free throw line, making 16-23 attempts while the visitors were just 5-9 from the line.
Warsaw’s ability to control the game early, taking a 13-4 lead after the first quarter of play, worked the same in a 16-4 advantage out of the lockerroom in the third quarter. Warsaw’s largest lead of the night was 20 points when the Tigers led 32-12 deep in the third quarter.
Kyle Mangas paced the Tigers with 20 points, adding six rebounds, two assists, a steal and was 5-5 from the free throw line. Jaceb Burish continued to impress with seven more points. Jeremy David had five points and four boards and Paul Marandet had just four points but contributed five assists and a pair of steals.
Warsaw, coming into the night fresh off a huge 15-point win over defending state champion Homestead Friday night, moves to 4-0 this season.
Warsaw held a 37-29 lead in the fourth quarter of the JV game, but had to hold on for a 41-36 win over Huntington North. Warsaw had 12 points each from Zach Riley and Jack Grose, Riley adding eight rebounds. Asher Blum added 10 points in the win. Huntington had Zach Daughtery led the club with 11 points.
Warsaw will next play Thursday on the road against a pesky Manchester squad while Huntington North (2-2) will get Manchester next Saturday in Huntington.