4A: Warsaw wins rematch at semi-state

HUNTINGTON, Ind. (WANE) - EXTENDED highlights and post-game reaction from Carroll's Marty Beasley, Shane Merryman and Stephen Jones available as well as post-game interviews from Warsaw's Doug Ogle, Nic Moore and Justin Clemens.

Just three weeks ago, Carroll and Warsaw battled at the Memorial Coliseum.  Led by junior Nic Moore, the Tigers won that 4A battle 66-57 on February 26.

Saturday, a berth in the 4A state championship on the line as both teams met again at Huntington North High School.

Moore would again be the difference, setting the tone early.  Moore hit back-to-back three's to give Warsaw the early lead in the first quarter.  However, Carroll countered with an 11-0 run grabbing a six-point lead.  Carroll led 17-16 after the first quarter.

Moore and the rest of the Tigers were just on fire from behind the arc in the first half.  Warsaw shot 6/10 from three-point range while Moore racked up 16 first half points as the Tigers led 33-30 at the half.

Warsaw jumped out to a six-point lead in the third quarter after Moore drained a baseline jumper, but Carroll wasn't about to go down without a fight.  A relativey low-scoring third quarter saw Carroll draw within two points after Tyler Ault completed an old-fashioned three-point play to make it 40-38.  Warsaw would take a 42-38 lead into the fourth quarter.

The final quarter provided plenty of excitement.  Ault would connect in the lane to tie the game at 43 with four minutes left.  However, every time Carroll got close, the Chargers were unable to convert from the free throw line in the fourth.

Warsaw looked to be in control up 52-47, but a Stephen Jones three would cut the Tigers' lead to one with under a minute left.

Clinging to a one-point lead, Warsaw played to win the game rather than not to lose it.  Jordyn Coon took an ill-advised 15-foot jumper with the Tigers in the lead, but Coon drained the shot putting Warsaw up 56-53.

Instead of trying to go for the tie, Carroll's Jones drove the lane, but the shot rimmed out.  Justin Clemens sealed the win at the free throw line for Warsaw.  The Tigers shot 14-17 from the charity stripe ultimately providing the difference in the game.

Moore had a game-high 26 points for Warsaw.  Coon added 11 while Clemens had 10. 

For Carroll, Merryman and Ault tallied 16 points while Jones chipped in 14.

Warsaw (23-2) advances to state to face North Central (24-3) for the 4A title.

Carroll finishes the season 21-4.