Carroll Charges Past Warsaw In Regular Season Finale
Posted
Zach Newcomer-znewcomer@timesuniononline.com
HUNTERTOWN – In what felt like a postseason atmosphere, the Warsaw Tigers fell 46-32 at Carroll Friday night in the regular season finale for both teams.
A big crowd was on hand to partake in senior night festivities for the host Chargers, making it tough for the visitors.
“Carroll has a good atmosphere and we enjoy coming here,” said Warsaw coach Doug Ogle. “The quality of play that Carroll brings is going to be good for us as we head into our sectional.”
Both teams started out slow, taking over a minute to find the bottom of the basket. The Chargers (18-3) opened the lid to the basket with a three and Warsaw (11-11) followed suit and scored the game’s next five points, capturing its only lead of the game.
The Tigers were able to score just two points in the last three and a half minutes of the first quarter, allowing Carroll to take a 12-7 lead. Warsaw shot 30 percent in the opening stanza, compared to the Chargers’ 40 percent.
Things didn’t improve for the Tigers in the second quarter. This time it took just over two minutes to score. A basket by junior Nolan Groninger began the scoring spree and Warsaw went on to score 10 points to close the half and tighten the gap to 21-17. Seniors Zach Riley and Jack Rhoades each hit a three-pointer in the quarter for Warsaw.
The Tigers made just 4 of 16 attempts from the arc in the game.
“They’re defense is very good, but we missed some open shots,” Ogle said. “For us to beat a team as good as Carroll, we have to shoot better.”
The woes continued for the Tigers in the third quarter, as they went through a five-minute scoring drought, and in that time the Chargers tallied eight points. Carroll senior Arius Jones scored four points in the period and threw down a posterizing dunk on a breakaway that brought the fans to their feet.
In the fourth quarter, Warsaw was unable to make a comeback and was outscored 14-7. Senior Reese Swoverland made two three-pointers to lead the charge that extended Carroll’s lead to 14 points.
For the Tigers, Groninger scored 11 points and dished out five assists to lead in both categories. Riley netted eight points and had five rebounds.
David Ejah tallied 14 points and six boards for Carroll, while Swoverland finished with 11 points and Jones seven.
Warsaw will Class 4A Sectional 4 action Tuesday with a 7 p.m. game against Goshen at historic North Side Gym. The two teams played Jan. 12 and the Tigers won 53-35. Tuesday’s winner will play Northridge in Friday’s 6 p.m. semifinal game.
