Second-Half Surge Lifts Tigers Over EaglesA big third quarter made the difference Saturday.
The Warsaw boys basketball team outscored Columbia City 20-8 in the third to roll to a 56-35 victory in a non-conference game in the Tiger Den.
The large run came after a close first half in which Warsaw turned over the ball seven times. The Tigers led 22-20 heading into the break.
“I just told the players at halftime, ‘Maybe grind one out,’” said Warsaw coach Doug Ogle. “The first half was not great, but let’s just move on.”
Warsaw’s Jaylen Reece, who didn’t score in Warsaw’s opener against Tippecanoe Valley and had just two points in the first half against the Eagles, was one who responded valiantly.
Reece hit the Tigers’ first two shots of the second half to stretch the lead to 26-20.
“We scored on the first couple possessions, and our confidence grew,” Ogle said.
Warsaw led 31-25 before hitting three-pointers on three consecutive possessions to break open the game.
Wyatt Amiss nailed a trey. Columbia City responded with a three of its own, but Reece answered right back with another three-pointer.
Amiss hit another from behind the arc to for a double-digit lead the Tigers did not relinquish.
Reece, who finished with 13 points, suffered an ankle injury late in the third quarter, but returned in the fourth for a few more buckets as Warsaw cruised to victory.
Ogle said he expects Reece to be fine, and to play in Friday’s game at Homestead. Nolan Groninger scored a game-high 16 points, while Amiss came off the bench to score eight.
Mitchell Wilson, who scored 26 points against Warsaw last season, led the Eagles (0-2) with 10 points.
“We had really talked quite a bit about trying to corral (Wilson) and make him earn his baskets, and for the most part we did a good job of that,” Ogle said.
Columbia City coach Brett Eberly was proud of his team’s patience in the first half.
“We took what Warsaw gave us,” he said. “It takes forever to break down good teams.”
The Tigers are 2-0 after wins against Valley and Columbia City. They play Friday at Homestead, followed by a trip to Huntington North Saturday.
“We’re gonna enjoy this win tonight, and we’ll get back to work on Monday,” Ogle said. “But we’re off to a good start.”
WARSAW 56,
COLUMBIA CITY 35
CC 8 12 8 7 – 35
W 8 14 20 14 – 56
Columbia City – TJ Bedwell 1-3 3-4 6, Cam Scott 0-3 1-2 1, Mitchell Wilson 3-10 2-4 10, Max Bedwell 0-0 0-0 0, Bryce Taylor 3-5 0-0 8, Michael Sievers 2-8 1-1 5, Mason Baker 0-2 0-0 0, Gregory Bolt 1-2 3-3 5. Totals 10-33 10-14 35.
Three-pointers – Columbia City 5 (Wilson 2, Taylor 2, Bedwell 1), Warsaw 4 (Amiss 2, Coon 1, Reece 1); Rebounds – Columbia City 13 (Bedwell 3), Warsaw 32 (Metzinger 6); Turnovers – Columbia City 14, Warsaw 15; Fouls – Columbia City 14, Warsaw 17; Fouled out – none; Records: Columbia City 0-2, Warsaw 2-0
JV – Warsaw 56, Columbia City 36
Warsaw (2-0) – Mason Martz 12, Jackson Dawson 12, Luke Adamiec 9, Bishop Walters 7
