WARSAW –  Warsaw boys basketball coach Doug Ogle may want to have his junior varsity team play a few more overtime games in the future.

Maybe not quite as long as the one Friday night though.

A long, long wait did nothing to deter the host Tigers from making short work of Elkhart Memorial in a key Northern Lakes Conference clash.

Warsaw used a nearly perfect start to remain perfect in conference play with a 68-57 win over the Crimson Chargers.

All five starters for the Tigers scored in a double figures, led by 15 points each from seniors Nick Sands and Jake Mangas.

The duo of senior Rashaan Jackson and sophomore Kyle Mangas each scored 11 points and junior Paul Marandet chipped in with 10 as the Tigers improved to 14-3 overall and 5-0 in NLC play.

Senior Cameron Maxwell was simply sensational for Memorial with 28 points. The 6-0 guard hit 11-14 shots from the field, including 6-8 from 3-point range. Maxwell was averaging 13.6 points-per-game for Memorial, which had won four of its last five games coming into Friday night’s contest.

Senior Dimitri Giger, despite being in foul trouble, added 10 for the Crimson Chargeres, who drop to 10-7 overall and 3-2 in league play.

The varsity game did not tip-off until 9:05 p.m. after Memorial outlasted Warsaw 75-70 in a marathon, four-overtime JV contest.

The Tigers wasted no time after the excruciating wait.

Warsaw hit the Chargers with a haymaker from the opening bell by taking an 18-2 lead. The sweet-shooting Sands was on fire for the Tigers as he drained three triples in the onslaught and Tim Swanson added another trey. Warsaw led 20-7 after the opening period as Sands scored 11. Sands entered play Friday night averaging 8.1 points-per-game.

“It was quite a challenge,” said Ogle of the late start. “It was a long time and I was worried. We watched some of the Memorial-Goshen game from last week and then came out and watched some of the JV game.

“I was proud of how we started the game. That’s two weeks in a row (including last Friday in a 47-39 home win over NorthWood) that we started well. Those quick starts are very helpful. We came out and shot the ball better tonight, especially Nick and Tim early in the game.”

The Tigers led 33-21 at halftime thanks to an 11-21 shooting effort.  Jackson, who was scoreless in the opening half, scored seven points in the third period as Warsaw built its lead to 50-33.

Memorial, which had won five straight over Warsaw, got no closer than nine points in the fourth quarter.

“We have to ability to score in a lot of places,” noted Ogle. “Our passing and ball movement were good tonight. We’re getting a little better ball handling too with 13 assists tonight and just six turnovers. Rashaan has had two good games in a row for us and that’s key too.

“I was apprehensive about this one. Our practice this week was not as good as last week for the NorthWood game. This game did have the same vibe. You have to bring it every night. But we are in a good position now in the NLC. We just need to win those last two.”

Warsaw leads the NLC at 5-0. NorthWood, who hosts Concord Saturday night, is 4-1. Plymouth and Memorial are each 3-2.

The Tigers still play league games at Plymouth (Feb. 12) and at home versus Northriudge (Feb. 17).

“That’s been our M.O. this year,” said first-year Memorial coach Kyle Sears of the slow start. “We keep talking about getting off to fast start.  I don’t know what it is. It could have been the delay tonight.

“But Warsaw came out and did a nice job They executed and hit shots early. You look at their balance with five guys who can score like that. It’s hard to plan for that. You key on one and they find another one. They just have different guys who can score.

“Cam was outstanding for us tonight. He needed a night like tonight. He’s been looking for his shot to be like this.”

Warsaw shot 23-38 overall from the field, including 6-12 on 3-pointers. The Tigers were 16-18 from the line. Memorial was 23-49 from the field (9-21 on threes) and 2-3 from the line.

The Chargers, who never led in the game, had just seven turnovers.

The two teams could see each other again as both will play in the Class 4-A Elkhart Central Sectional next month.

Memorial won the JV marathon 75-70.  Mytchell Sellers scored 22 points and Davon Long 17 for the winners. Rane Kilburn had 24 points, Braxton Minix 14 and Kyle Skeans 10 to lead Warsaw.

The two JV teams combined to shoot 60 free throws in the game which saw a total of 49 fouls called.

The Tigers play at Hamilton Southeastern Saturday night. Memorial hosts NorthWood on Thursday.