Mangas Saluted As IFN Player Of The Year
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WCHS senior Kyle Mangas is the IFN Player of the Year this season (File photo by Nick Goralczyk)
WARSAW – The list of hardwood heroes in Warsaw boys basketball lore is a very impressive one.
The likes of names such as Reed, Grose, Ault and Moore highlight the tradition-rich history of one of the state’s top programs.
The moniker of Mangas is the latest added to that list of Tiger greats.
Kyle Mangas has joined the exclusive company in emphatic fashion.
The WCHS senior, know for his consistent and clutch play, is the IFN Player of the Year for the second straight season.
Mangas, a 6-3 guard, earns the honor following a stellar regular season in his final go around as a Tiger. Mangas is averaging a team-high 21.5 points-per-game for his 14-9 team. The do-it-all leader also paces his team in rebounding (5.5), assists (2.4) and steals (1.6).
Mangas’ value to his team goes far beyond the numbers though.
It’s been the clutch and efficient play for the last three years that has defined the humble hoops star. Mangas averaged 19.4 points-per-game last season as the Tigers went 25-2 and won Class 4-A sectional and regional titles. He hit four game-winning or tying shots as a junior, including a three-point play to defeat Elkhart Central in the sectional finale. Mangas was the top scorer as a sophomore at 11.8 ppg.
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Kyle Mangas holds the NLC trophy after the Tigers won their third straight league title this season.
Mangas has led coach Doug Ogle’s team to historic heights this season. The Tigers notched their third straight Northern Lakes Conference championship by going 7-0 in league play for the third consecutive season. It’s the first time in NLC history that a boys basketball team has done that.
“The thing about Kyle is that he has been remarkably consistent for us the last three years,” said Ogle, now in his 15th season as the head coach. “He’s been extremely good in pressure situations.”
Mangas, who will play at Indiana Wesleyan University next season, sits fifth in program history with 1,311 career points.
“I fee like I’ve played pretty well this season,” said the soft-spoken Mangas. “My numbers have been consistent and have increased from last year against a real tough schedule.
“The team has come a long way this season, Of course you want to win every game and we have lost some close ones this year. But we have went out and competed. We can’t be mad about the record we have with the schedule we have played.”
Mangas has earned a boatload of awards in his illustrious prep career. He was a first-team choice to the first IFN All-Area team in 2015 before earning POY honors last year and this season. He has been named All-NLC first-team pick the past two years and was a member of the North Junior All-Stars last year.
Mangas, the youngest son of Tim and Ann Mangas, downplays the accolades.
“I’m honored and the awards feel good, but winning is more important to me,” stated Mangas.
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Kyle Mangas is fifth in program history with 1,311 career points (File photo by Nick Goralczyk)
Mangas put together a string of 13 straight games with 20 or more points before it was stopped Friday night in a loss to Carroll in his final game in the Tiger Den. He is shooting 47 percent overall from the field, including hitting 49-121 from 3-point range. Mangas is making 88 percent from the free throw line and has scored 494 points this season after totaling 523 a year ago, the 13th highest total in program history.
“I’ve enjoyed coaching him even more this year,” said Ogle of his star. “He’s become more open and outspoken and shares his opinion more. He’s become more of a vocal leader for us and I appreciate that. I listen to him. This is not his first rodeo.”
“I think that Kyle is a lock for the Indiana All-Star team. You can’t tell me that he’s not one of the top 12 seniors in the state. His resume is just too good.”
Mangas gives credit to his outstanding coach.
“I have a great relationship with coach Ogle,” stated Mangas. “We have a trust in each other. He’s a very smart guy, who teaches us a lot of things and not just about basketball. I have a ton of respect for him.”
Mangas now has his sights set on sectional play which starts Wednesday. After that, whenever the season does end, he should be the latest Tiger to earn Indiana All-Star honors.
“Right now, we have to be focused on the sectional,” related Mangas. “We have to go in there and be mentally tough.
“I think that I do belong on the All-Star team. I think that I have proved myself against a really good schedule this season. But I will worry about that after the season.”