Warsaw’s Dayton Groninger overcame a tough first half to score a game-high 20 points to help the Lady Tigers over Fort Wayne Bishop Luers, 63-50, Saturday night. (Photos by Mike Deak)

WARSAW – In a week filled with sports history and recollection, it would only be fitting that another team was trying to erase a portion of its negative historical discussion. Warsaw was well aware of how it started the girls basketball season a year ago, and were bound and determined to make sure it didn’t happen the same way again.

Mission accomplished.

A very strong and disciplined Warsaw squad, led by its seniors, put away a quality Fort Wayne Luers team 63-50 Saturday in the season opener for both clubs.

Warsaw’s Kacy Bragg muscles to the hoop against Luers’ Lydia Reimbold.

A stellar night from Dayton Groninger, who did almost all of her damage in the second half, led the charge for the Tigers. Saddled with two fouls early in the first quarter, Groninger found herself on the bench for the remainder of the first half stuck on just two points. The leading scorer from a season ago at 13 points per game, Groninger got her rhythm back in the second half and erupted for 18 points to finish at 20 overall.

Groninger had 13 of those points in the fourth quarter, hitting a huge three to put Warsaw up 48-40. Back-to-back plays where Page Desenberg had the ball in space and found Groninger dashing to the hoop resulted in consecutive layups, which stretched out the lead to 60-44.

“She could have been upset because she didn’t get to play much in the first half because she was in foul trouble”, noted Warsaw head coach Michelle Harter of Groninger, who added nine rebounds and three steals. “She put it out of her head and gave us what we needed. And everybody else picked up in that first half and battled and did the little things this year that last year we weren’t seeing us do. It’s everybody on the team stepping up and making plays for us when we need them.”

Kaylee Patton, facing, celebrates with sister and teammate Kennedy Patton (3) along with Madi Graham (25).

The game was much closer, in fact, it was tied at 35 in the third quarter after Luers went on a 10-0 run after Groninger hit a backdoor layup. Libby Bierbaum and Lydia Reimbold each hit threes, Reimbold’s bomb bringing the Knights level.

Warsaw, however, would close the quarter on a 6-0 run, capped by a Kaylee Patton steal and layup at the buzzer.

The Tigers would make their chances in the final eight minutes count, going 13-14 from the free throw line.

“It’s been a completely different feel this year for us in practices,” Harter said. “Just the intensity level the girls bring each and every night pushing each other to get better. The bonding they have, they like each other. They are happy for each other. You saw that on the bench.”

Madi Graham scored all 11 of her points in the first half, and Kaci Bragg found success early before winding up with 12 points and eight boards. Patton added eight rebounds as did Desenberg, six on the offensive glass.

Reimbold would lead Luers with 15 points before fouling out in the fourth quarter. Kathryn Knapke and Taylor Bradley each scored eight points and combined for seven rebounds.

Warsaw also got a resounding win from its JV, a 47-19 final. All 10 of Warsaw’s players had at least two points, Madelyn Smith leading the balanced sheet with eight points. Zoe Simmons had 11 points for the Knights.

The Lady Tigers (1-0) will visit Manchester Wednesday night.

Warsaw’s Madi Graham saves a ball back inbounds against Fort Wayne Bishop Luers.