Warsaw Standout Marandet Commits To Spring Arbor
WARSAW – Warsaw basketball fans developed quite the affection for Paul Marandet his senior season.
Those fans will get more chances to see their hardwood hero in action at the next level too.
WCHS senior standout Marandet, a do-it-all performer for the Tigers, has made a verbal commitment to play at Spring Arbor University in Michigan.
Spring Arbor is a member of the NAIA and the Crossroads League. The conference also includes programs such as Grace College and Bethel College, both close destinations for Warsaw fans to view Marandet in person during his collegiate career.
Marandet, a 6-0 guard, helped the Tigers to a historic season in 2015-16. Warsaw started the season at 20-0, the best start in program history. The Tigers went on to post a 25-2 mark, the most wins for the program since 1996.
“I just really felt a lot of love when I went to Spring Arbor and they really pursued me after they started recruiting me this season,” said Marandet in a phone interview Monday night about his decision. “It told me how much they cared about me. I really like their coach a lot and I feel that I can go there and leave my mark.
“They were also able to offer me a great deal financially and that was very important to me with the cost of a college education. It’s awesome to get the opportunity to play college basketball. I’m excited to go there and just work on my craft every day. They see me as coming in there next year and being their starter at point guard.”
Marandet turned in a stellar senior season for coach Doug Ogle’s team. He was second in scoring for the Tigers at 13 points-per-game after averaging 5.4 as a junior and led the team in assists at 3.9 per outing and in free throw percentage at 86 percent. Marandet also averaged 3.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 52 percent from the field.
The Tigers, led by their outstanding guard duo of Marandet and junior Kyle Mangas, won the Northern Lakes Conference title for the second straight year at 7-0. Warsaw won the Class 4-A Elkhart Sectional crown and the Michigan City Regional championship before suffering a 40-37 loss to McCutcheon in the Lafayette Jefferson Semistate last month.
Marandet, a three-year starter, was a lock down defender for Warsaw’s superb team defense. The Tigers allowed just 39.5 points-per-game this season, the second best mark in the state.
“I am happy for Paul and excited to watch him compete in the Crossroads League,” said coach Ogle.
Marandet helped Warsaw to back-to-back outstanding seasons. The Tigers went 18-5 overall his junior season after struggling to an 11-10 mark (2-5 in the NLC) during his sophomore campaign.
Marandet was sensational in Warsaw’s wins over South Bend Riley and Crown Point in the regional title. He scored a career-high 37 points, including hitting 21-21 free throws, in a double-overtime victory over Riley. He then netted 18 points in the regional title game win over Crown Point.
“It’s going to be really cool to play close by in a lot of our conference games (Grace, Bethel, Huntington, Saint Francis) where I will get to see some of our Warsaw fans,” noted Marandet. “It meant a lot to me the way our fans supported me and the team this season. It was very touching. You don’t see that kind of support everywhere.”
Marandet earned a plethora of honors for his special senior year. He was a first-team pick to the Ink Free News All-Area team after being selected as the IFN Player of the Year in 2015. He was an IBCA All-State choice, a high honorable mention selection to the Associated Press All-State team and took part in the Top 60 Seniors Workout on April 10.
Spring Arbor posted an 8-22 mark during the 2015-16 campaign. The Cougars finished 2-16 in Crossroads League play. Spring Arbor had three seniors on the roster this past season and 12 of their 13 players were from Michigan, with the other being from Fort Wayne. Ryan Nottingham just finished his 17th season as coach of the Cougars. He also serves as the Director of Athletics for the school.