Kats aim for conference lead Thursday against Berries

Posted: Wednesday, February 10, 2010 4:00 pm

By Peter Adelsen staff writer padelsen@kokomoperspective.com | 0 comments

The Kokomo Wildkats welcome the 17th-ranked Logansport Berries to Memorial Gym 7:30 p.m. Thursday in a game that could come a long way in deciding the North Central Conference championship.

Currently there is a four-way tie for the conference lead between Logansport, Kokomo, New Castle and Anderson, which all have 3-1 NCC records.

"This week is the biggest game of the year," Kokomo coach Brian McCauley said. "Both teams are competing for the North Central Conference championship. Obviously they want to win it to solidify their position and we want to do the same."

The Berries (13-2, 3-1 NCC) travel to Kokomo (11-5, 3-1 NCC) after losing at New Castle 58-65 on Jan. 29. Prior to that loss, Logansport had been on a nine-game winning streak, including wins at Anderson, McCutcheon, at Western and at Marion. Also for their first win on the season, the Berries defeated Peru to give class 3A's second-ranked team its only loss.

Kokomo began the season hot as it got wins over Muncie Central, Marion and Lafayette Jeff. As of late, the team has gotten victories over Tipton, Harrison and Lebanon.

Logansport is led by senior Nathan Champion, an Indiana all-star candidate. In his last game in a loss to New Castle, he scored a team-high 23 points.

Champion is joined by a tough supporting cast of Jared Jennings, Jordan McGuire, Tyler Raisor, Nick Winstein and Antonio Penny.

"They all do a very good job of complimenting him well," said McCauley. "I think team defense is going to be crucial. For us, continuing to play well offensively and playing together and moving the basketball are going to be important keys."

The Wildkats have also been playing team basketball. In their win over Lebanon Saturday, Kokomo had a season high in assists with 16. Sophomore D. J. Balentine led the Kats with 19 points and junior Parker Salinas added 16 points in the victory.

"Hopefully we can continue off our momentum and keep building toward this North Central Conference race and hope we are playing our best as we go into the sectional," he said.

Other games Thursday:

Eastern (9-6, 2-3 MIC) at Lewis Cass (5-11, 0-5 MIC), 7:30

#15-2A Taylor (10-5, 3-2 MIC) at Maconaquah (6-8, 1-4 MIC), 7:30

Northwestern (10-5, 2-2 MIC) at #2-3A Peru (15-1, 5-0 MIC), 7:30

Upcoming games- Saturday:

Lewis Cass (5-11, 0-5 MIC) at Wabash (2-14), 2:30

Maconaquah (6-8, 1-4 MIC) at Pioneer (7-9), 7:30

Upcoming games- Tuesday:

Western at Taylor, 7:30

Northwestern at Hamilton Heights, 7:30

Northfield at Maconaquah, 7:30

Tuesday (Feb. 9) game finals:

Eastern (9-6, 2-3 MIC) at Elwood (2-14), postponed to Feb. 20 at 7:30

Wednesday (Feb. 10) game finals:

Hamilton Heights (11-5, 3-1 MIC) at Madison-Grant (11-4), postponed