Posted: Saturday, February 27, 2010 12:16 am
By Peter Adelsen staff writer padelsen@kokomoperspective.com | 0 comments
The Kokomo Wildkats finished the season on a six-game winning streak with their 71-64 victory over the 3A 9th-ranked Fort Wayne-Elmhurst Trojans Friday at Memorial Gym.
In a tight game throughout, it featured some major streaks.
The game began with a slow moving first quarter. At the end of the quarter, the Trojans' junior Pervis Hall made two free throws to end the quarter leading 13-10. Those two free throws began an 8-1 run that continued to the beginning of the second quarter to a 19-11 lead at 6:19 to go. The Kats then went on a 12-4 run to tie the game at 23-23 at 3:54 to go until the half.
The Wildkats then took the lead on two made free throws by sophomore D.J. Balentine with 3:22 to go in the quarter. The lead was shortlived as Trojan senior Kristian Gayday hit a three-pointer to retake the lead at 26-25. The Kats answered with a free throw from senior Brock Barbary to tie the game at 26-26. From that point on, the Wildkats went on a 5-1 run until Elmhurst's Hall hit a three pointer as the second quarter expired to cut Kokomo's lead to 31-30.
The third quarter had 8 lead changes and three ties as Kokomo outscored Elmhurst 15-14 to take a 46-44 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Wildkats played their best in the fourth quarter as they increased the lead through excellent play offensively and defensively.
The Trojans took a 49-48 lead at 6:08 to go on two made field goals, but from that point on the Wildkats closed the game with tough play in creating open shots and lay-ups to gradually increase their lead to 10 points with :16 to go at 69-59. The Kats went on to win 71-64.
"The guys executed very well late in the game," Kokomo coach Brian McCauley said. "We had some nice back cuts, layups and some broken plays. The guys did a real good job making plays down the stretch. I'm really proud of them."
For Kokomo's four seniors, T.J. Weir, S.J. Moultrie, Brock Barbary and Braxton Shelton, it was a great way to conclude their senior season.
Kokomo was led by Balentine's 21 points and was joined by Weir and junior Cheyse Swain in double figures with 17 and 10 points, respectively. Swain also led the team in rebounds with 10, including five offensive rebounds.
Elmhurst was led by Hall's 19 points and was joined by seniors Evan Cleveland's 17 points and Kristian Gayday's 12 points.
Kokomo (15-5, 6-1 NCC) next takes the court against conference rival Logansport Berries Friday at 6 p.m. at Memorial Gym in sectional play.
Fort Wayne Elmhurst (14-5) next plays either Fort Wayne-Wayne or Bellmont in the Norwell sectional Friday.
Scores by quarter:
FW-Elmhurst 13 17 14 20 =64
Kokomo 10 21 15 25 =71
Other games Friday:
Eastern 67 (12-8, 2-5 MIC)
Tri-Central 57 (8-12, 3-2 HHC)
Maconaquah 47 (8-12, 2-5 MIC)
Jay County 62 (10-8, 1-2 Olympic)
#2-3A Peru 61 (19-1, 7-0 MIC)
Hamilton Heights 41 (12-7, 4-3 MIC)
Western 61 (13-7, 4-2 MIC)
#4-2A Tipton 72 (17-3, 6-0 Hoosier)
Tuesday (March 2) Sectional games:
Maconaquah at Norwell, 6 p.m.
Tipton at Taylor, 7 p.m.
Twin Lakes v. Western (at Frankfort), 6 p.m.
Wednesday (March 3) Sectional games:
Eastern v. Madison-Grant (at Taylor), 7:30 p.m.
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