The Warsaw girls basketball team is loving 2024!

Warsaw is 3-0 since New Year's Day after upsetting #9 Homestead on Everwise Court in the Tiger Den 69-48 Tuesday. 

I was Warsaw's first win over the Lady Spartans since the series restarted in 2018 and their third win ever against Homestead. 

Brooke Zartman hit 3 3-pointers in the first 2:56 of the game to give Warsaw an early lead, but Homestead closed the margin to 12-11 after one. The Lady Tigers held Homestead to just nine points in the second to push the lead out to 11. But the Lady Spartans put together a run over the final three minutes of the third to get to within five, and they started the fourth with the possession arrow pointing their way. 

But Warsaw forced a tough shot on the first possession of the fourth, then Brooke Winchester attacked the basket for what turned into a three-point-play that built the lead back to 8. Warsaw was never challenged after that. 

Zartman followed up her career-high 27 with a game-high against Mishawaka last week with 24 against the Lady Spartans--hitting 7 3's in both games.  It was the third time this season that she'd hit 7 3-pointers in a game, and she now has 64 for the season--two short of the single-season record of 66 she set last year as a freshman.

Only four Lady Tigers scored, but all four scored in double figures. Joslyn Bricker chipped in 16, Winchester finished with 17 and Alexis Neely 12. 

The Lady Tigers (11-7) game Thursday at Carroll has been canceled. Warsaw will host Concord Saturday, and with a win claims at least of share of a third straight conference championship. 

The junior varsity girls (11-5) lost to Homestead 41-31. Cayleigh Goheen led Warsaw with 9 points. 

See the box score for both games by clicking HERE.