Grose Powers Warsaw To Huge Win
WARSAW – Nikki Grose picked a perfect time Monday night to turn in a big-time performance.
Grose’s huge game lifted her Warsaw girls basketball team to its biggest win of the season.
The senior popped in a game-high 18 points as the host Tigers edged NorthWood 47-44 in overtime in a Northern Lakes Conference contest.
Grose, a 6-0 center, hit 6-12 shots from the field and went 6-7 from the free throw line. She also had 13 rebounds, four assists, four steals and three blocked shots in a stat stuffer effort for the Tigers.
Warsaw, the defending NLC champions, also exacted a measure of revenge on the Panthers. NorthWood handed the Tigers their lone loss of the regular season a year ago.
The game, which had been postponed Saturday night due to the weather, was close throughout. Warsaw led 12-11 after the opening period and took a 24-20 edge into the locker room at halftime. The biggest lead of the game came as the Tigers went up 28-20 before the Panthers cut the lead to 28-24.
NorthWood outscored the Tigers 13-9 in the final frame of regulation play to forge a 37-37 deadlock. The Tigers then used a 10-7 edge in the overtime session to post the victory.
Warsaw improves to 9-9 overall and moves to 4-2 in the NLC. The Tigers have won seven of their last nine games. NorthWood, which has won 12 of its last 14 games, falls to 15-5 overall and also 4-2 in league action.
The Tigers also got big contributions from Brooklyn Harrison, jodie Carlson and Eryn Leek. Harrison netted nine points, while Carlson had eight and Leek seven.
Warsaw out rebounded the Panthers 38-24 to help overcome 22 turnovers. The hosts hit 15-39 shots from the field, including 3-10 from 3-point range. The free throw line was a big key as the Tigers made 14-17 from the stripe.
Senior Morgan Olson, who has committed to play at Youngstown State University next season, led the way for the Panthers. Olson, the program’s all-time leading scorer and rebounder, paced NorthWood with 17 points and eight rebounds.
Taylor Fielstra had a strong effort for NorthWood. The senior guard canned 13 points and drained three treys for coach Steve Neff’s squad.
Jordyn Frantz added 10 points for the Panthers, who shot just 18-52 from the field (including 3-12 on threes). NorthWood made just eight trips to the line, converting five free throws. The Panthers did have just nine turnovers in the contest.
Pam Miller had three points and six rebounds and Erin Clemens two points for Warsaw.
Warsaw’s win kept NorthWood Hall of Fame coach Steve Neff from posting his 650th career win. Neff, in his 37th season at NorthWood, is the state’s all-time winningest coach with 649 wins. Scottsburg’s Donna Cheatham has 647 victories. Neff, who guided NorthWood to a state title in 1999, is in his final season.
Northridge, which defeated NorthWood 41-23 in their NLC clash, leads the conference at 5-1. The Raiders can claim the league championship with a win at Wawasee Friday. Warsaw and NorthWood are tied for second place at 4-2.
NorthWood won the junior varsity contest 29-26 Monday night.
Warsaw is scheduled to host Elkhart Memorial Wednesday night in the NLC and regular-season finale. NorthWood hosts Concord Friday night to wrap up league play.
Warsaw will then meet Elkhart Memorial next Tuesday (Feb. 11) in the opening game of the Class 4-A Northridge Sectional. NorthWood will face Wawasee next Wednesday (Feb. 12) in a first-round game of the Class 3-A NorthWood Sectional.