Paul Marandet powers up in the lane for Warsaw Friday night. Marandet was fabulous as the undefeated Tigers topped Plymouth 46-30.

WARSAW – The Warsaw boys basketball team made a memory that will last a lifetime Friday night.

The undefeated Tigers also made it a championship evening thanks to a truly championship performance too.

The dynamite duo of Kyle Mangas and Paul Marandet led the way as Warsaw claimed its second straight Northern Lakes Conference title in impressive fashion in front of about 3,000 fans.

Mangas scored 20 points and Marandet netted 16 as the Tigers pounded rival Plymouth 46-30 in the NLC finale.

Warsaw used its trademark brilliant team defense and a large dose of the M & M boys to put the icing on a second consecutive unbeaten run through the league.

The Tigers, ranked No. 4 in Class 4-A, improve to 19-0 overall and finish at 7-0 in the NLC. Warsaw wins back-to-back NLC titles for the first time since 2010 and 2011 and goes undefeated in two straight league seasons for the first time since the 1994 and 1995 teams each went 6-0.

Warsaw is also the first boys basketball program in the NLC to put back-to-back 7-0 league seasons together since Elkhart Memorial was added to the conference during the 2000-01 season.

The NLC championship trophy presented to the Tigers after the game was in good hands during the raucous celebration following the contest.

Those of star senior Marandet.

The stellar point guard was spectacular again with his display of leadership and physical toughness.

“It means everything to go 14-0 and win back-to-back conference championships,” said Marandet amidst the postgame bedlam on the Tiger Den floor. “It’s just awesome and one of the best feelings, especially being a senior.”

Warsaw, the only undefeated team in the state, simply locked down on defense to lock up the conference hardware.

Kyle Mangas led the Tigers with 20 points.

The Tigers, who entered play Friday night giving up just 40 points-per-game, allowed just a grand total of 16 points to the Pilgrims after the first quarter. Plymouth managed just five points in the second and third quarters combined and made just one field goal in the pivotal stretch.

“Our defense was very solid,” said Warsaw coach Doug Ogle. “We just made it tough sledding on them offensively after the first quarter. They had a really good first quarter (scoring 14 points). I’m jealous of our guys. I wish I could play on this team with them. I was never on a team that played defense like this.  I said before the season that we could be an elite defensive team and we are.

“It’s remarkable to go 14-0 like we have in the NLC the last two years. It’s a good accomplishment. Our players will remember this night for the next 50 years.”

Plymouth, which had won nine of its last 10 games, led 14-10 after the opening period.  The Tigers then outscored the Pilgrims 12-2 in the second frame to take a 22-16 halftime lead. Marandet was brilliant with 14 first-half points. The Tigers went 10-10 from the free throw line and did not allow a Plymouth field goal in the second quarter.

Mangas then took over the third frame for the hosts. The junior guard scored 10 points as Warsaw outscored Plymouth 12-3 to put the game away at 34-19. The Pilgrims did not score a basket for a stretch of over 12:30 on the clock from late in the first period of play until a layup by Matt Friar with 4:29 left in the third quarter.

“We tag teamed them,” noted Ogle of the stellar performances by his amazing backcourt duo of Marandet and Mangas. “If you find a two guard tandem better than Paul and Kyle, you have yourself one heck of a duo. I haven’t seen a better pair of guards. They are a handful on offense and defense. We have the two best players on the floor in those two in a lot of games.”

Mangas finished 5-9 from the field and 9-10 from the line. Marandet was 5-9 from the field and 6-8 from the line.

Riley Rhoades soars for the opening tip-off.

“You may contain one of us, but then the other will get his way,” noted Marandet. “Kyle and I have been playing together since like the third grade. We know each other out there. Teams can’t guard both of us.”

Josh Anders, a 6-4 senior, scored eight points and junior guard Nick Felke seven to pace Plymouth. Anders was averaging 16 points-per-game and Felke 15. The Pilgrims were averaging 57 ppg. prior to Friday night and their 30 points was a season low total.

“Give them (Warsaw) a lot of credit,” said Plymouth coach Ryan Bales. “They turned up the heat after the first quarter on defense. We got impatient and when the ball was not going in we panicked. They compete and get after you. Nothing is easy against them.

“Those two (Paul and Kyle) are so smart with their instincts and basketball IQ. They look for each other and the other guys out there look for them too. They are two smart players who want the ball at key times. They are both so active and so good in traffic.”

Plymouth, which is the last team to beat Warsaw in NLC play (38-31 on Feb. 13, 2014), falls to 14-5 overall and finishes at 5-2 in league play.

Warsaw hit 19-26 free throws in the win, including making their first 14 tries from the line. The Tigers also had just seven turnovers and had a 26-18 rebounding edge.

“Those are things that we can control and hopefully things that will make us upset proof,” said Ogle. “The thing about this team is that there are no glaring chinks in our armor.”

Riley Rhoades and Paul Marandet hoist the NLC trophy.

Senior Riley Rhoades had four points, while junior Jeremy David, sophomore Ross Johnson and senior Evan Schmidt each had two for Warsaw. David had seven rebounds and Rhoades five.

Warsaw shot 13-27 overall from the field, including 1-3 from distance. The Tigers finished 19-26 from the line.

The Pilgrims went 10-35 from the field, including 3-13 from deep. Plymouth was 5-19 from the floor in the second half. Plymouth was 7-8 from the line and had 10 turnovers.

Plymouth won the junior varsity game 50-41. Jack Rhoades scored 12 points and Landon Ferber 11 to lead Warsaw. Freshman Clay Hilliard canned 25 points, including hitting 5-9 from deep, to pace the Pilgrims.

Warsaw hosts Hamilton Southeastern Saturday night. Plymouth plays at Penn Tuesday night.

The Warsaw boys basketball team claimed its second straight NLC title Friday night.