For the first time in twenty years, the Warsaw Wildcats found themselves in the sectional round of the MSHSAA basketball playoffs, but in a day and age where public schools are still expected to contend with the likes of the private entities, Warsaw was no match for the KIPP (KC) Legacy Gators in a 64-20 loss at home, ending their season at 17-10.
A much taller, longer and physical Gators team kept the Warsaw offense in check from the opening tip. The Wildcats managed just one field goal in the first quarter, a 3-pointer from Garrett Ferguson, and trailed 22-4 at the end of one.
Three 2-point field goals in the second period, two from Noah Siebert was all the Wildcats offense could muster up as they trailed 36-10 at the break.
"We needed to tighten up our help defense and not rely so much on the dribble, offensively," Warsaw coach Matt Brownsberger said.
Another slow start for Warsaw to begin the second half saw the Gators take advantage and extend their lead off of several forced turnovers. Just two more field goals in the third for the Wildcats and the scoreboard read 55-14.
With the clock running in the fourth and time winding down on Warsaw's most successful season in many years, benches began to empty and the visitors from Kansas City went on to secure the 64-20 win, bringing the Wildcats run to an abrupt halt.
"They did a great job of forcing us out of what we wanted to do," Brownsberger commented. "Defensively, there wasn't much space and, offensively, they hit shots and were great at getting to the rim. Our kids played hard and competed. I have no complaints at all about our effort."
Siebert, who had to play "amongst the trees" all night, led Warsaw with 9 points.
WARSAW (20): S. Poyser, 0; G. Ferguson, 3; R. Fajen, 0; L. Henderson, 0; B. Henderson, 0; B. Slavens, 0; L. Gemes, 0; C. Davis, 0; J. Newell, 0; L. Gemes, 6; T. Downing, 2; N. Siebert, 9; E. Siebert, 0; R. Reser, 0.
KIPP LEGACY (64): L.J. Torrence, 13; V. Moss, 12; K. Smith, 14; Q. Flagg, 0; J. Kimmons, 2; C. White, 6; X. January, 7; A.J. Hatch, 5; C. Chatmon, 0; A. Willingham, 2; J. Grigsby, 3.
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The Wildcats advanced to the sectional round by claiming their first district championship since 2005 with a 64-51 win over Windsor on Friday night.
Warsaw jumped out to an early lead but saw that dwindle towards the end of the first when the Greyhounds used a surge to jump ahead, 15-12.
In the second, Logan Gemes found his stroke and nailed three 3-point shots to put Warsaw back in the lead at the half, 30-25.
"We just needed to clean up some mistakes we were making," Brownsberger said. "We felt that if we did that, we would eventually be able to stretch the game to double digits."
Another third quarter run by the Windsor squad kept them close at 44-42 with three periods in the books, but a rally by the Wildcats in the fourth allowed them to pull away late, using a 20-9 advantage in the final frame to take the 64-51 win.
Gemes popped off for 29 points, including six 3-pointers to lead the Wildcats.
"Watching our guys hoist the district trophy is an experience that I can't put into words," Brownsberger commented. "Warsaw has waited a long time for another district championship and it was amazing to be a part of it."
WARSAW (64): S. Poyser, 4; G. Ferguson, 12; R. Fajen, 0; L. Henderson, 8; B. Henderson, 0; B. Slavens, 0; L. Gemes, 0; C. Davis, 0; J. Newell, 0; L. Gemes, 29; T. Downing, 5; N. Siebert, 7; E. Siebert, 0; R. Reser, 0.
WINDSOR (51): Burkhart, 18; VanWagner, 0; J. Millington, 2; R. Millington, 9; Pipal, 0; Cox, 12; Heany, 0; Craig, 0; Brito, 0; Schoeps, 0; Scott, 0; Barnes, 10.
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After using the first round bye as the number one seed, Warsaw earned their trip to the championship game with a 62-47 win over Stover in their semifinal.
The 'Cats led 16-11 at the end of the first and stretched their lead to 28-20 at the half.
An 18-17 margin in the third kept Stover close at 46-37 but a strong fourth for the Wildcats closed out the Bulldogs with the 62-47 final.
Ferguson led Warsaw with 19 points while Siebert and Gemes added 16 and 14, respectively.
WARSAW (62): S. Poyser, 0; G. Ferguson, 19; R. Fajen, 0; L. Henderson, 4; B. Henderson, 0; B. Slavens, 0; L. Gemes, 0; C. Davis, 0; J. Newell, 0; L. Gemes, 14; T. Downing, 10; N. Siebert, 16.
STOVER (47): Narin, 0; Sawyer, 0; Thompson, 0; Brodersen, 0; Simon, 4; Black, 0; Heman, 0; Viebrock, 4; Karstens, 18; Nardi, 0; Hollingsworth, 0; Brown, 0; Wedtke, 0; Welpman, 18; Nardi, 0.
