Dayton Groninger will look to help Warsaw claim at least a share of the Northern Lakes Conference title Saturday when it visits NorthWood.

WARSAW – One of the goals this season for the Warsaw girls basketball team was to win a Northern Lakes Conference championship.

Coach Michelle Harter’s squad will have that opportunity come Saturday night.

The task though will be a tough one as the Tigers visit NorthWood for their conference finale of the 2014-15 campaign.

Warsaw sits at 12-8 overall and 5-1 in conference play. The Panthers, who play at Oregon-Davis tonight, are 16-5 overall and 5-0 in league action. NorthWood still has an NLC game at Concord on Feb. 6.

The Tigers. with a win in Nappanee Saturday night, will clinch at least a share of the conference title.

“I definitely think that our girls will be focused and use that (an NLC title) as motivation,” said Warsaw coach Michelle Harter. “That was one of our goals this year.”

NorthWood, which has won its last six games, is led by senior standout Jordyn Frantz. The star guard, who has signed with Saint Louis University, is averaging 19 points-per-game. The Indiana All-Star candidate sits at second in program history with 1,289 career points through the first 19 games this season.

“NorthWood plays like Jordyn does and she really carries that team,” noted Harter. “But, their other four starters are good at playing their roles and you can’t forget about them. But you don’t want her (Jordyn) to have the game of her life.”

Warsaw has had the entire week off after a blowout NLC win at Concord Saturday night. NorthWood won 68-15 at South Bend Riley Tuesday night and plays at OD tonight.

“I think this week has allowed us time to work on some things we definitely needed to for this game,” Harter said. “The big thing for us is to take care of the ball. We have to handle their pressure. Turnovers will be big for us in this game.

“It’s also important that we get off to a good start. You can’t dig a hole versus a good team like NorthWood.”

Sophomore guard Dayton Groninger is the top scorer for the Tigers. Warsaw has had strong play from a host of players, including Madi Graham, Pam Miller, Vicki Harris, Jodie Carlson and Erin Clemens.

NorthWood first-year coach Adam Yoder, who took over for Hall of Famer Steve Neff, expects this game to be similar to all conference contests.

“The keys to the game from our view will be like most NLC games, whomever performs the best in getting 50/50 balls, gathering rebounding, and making free throws will probably come out on top,” said Yoder, a former assistant coach for the Panthers.  

“Warsaw is an excellent basketball team with one of the best coaching staffs in the state every single year.  This is year is no different.  We’re really impressed with the poise and grit they show game in and game out.  What stands out to me the most is how much they value each possession.  If we get a score offensively or a stop defensively, it will definitely be well-earned.

“We treat the NLC as if its seven championship games.  Obviously if you win all seven, you’re the champs.  Most years, you can win six and still be the champs.  We have won 5 of those championship games so far, and will treat Warsaw and Concord the same as we have the other five.  We’re fortunate in that we only have to win one of those two games to get at least a share of the title.   The chance to win the NLC in any sport in this conference, whether its shared or not, is not something that a lot of NorthWood kids have gotten to experience in the last 10-15 years.  It would be very special to our coaches to see our kids get to feel what that’s like.”

Warsaw has won the last two meetings, including a 47-44 decision in overtime at home last year.

The conference clash Saturday night will also be Senior Night as NorthWood will honor seniors Frantz, Haley Roe, Ashley Yoder and Karen Holmes. All Wa-Nee students will be admitted to the game free of charge.

The Warsaw at NorthWood action begins Saturday night with the junior varsity game at 6:15 p.m.