Posted: Thursday, February 25, 2010 6:13 pm | Updated: 12:34 pm, Fri Feb 26, 2010.
By Peter Adelsen staff writer padelsen@kokomoperspective.com | 0 comments
After winning a share of the North Central Conference last week, the Kokomo Wildkats welcome the 3A 9th-ranked Fort Wayne-Elmhurst Trojans in a regional-like match-up 8 p.m. Friday at Memorial Gym on senior night.
The Wildkats are using the game to see where they are heading into the IHSAA tournament.
"It will be a great measuring stick to see where we're at here toward the end of the season and as we go into our sectional," Kokomo coach Brian McCauley said. "Both teams have played competitive schedules and have gotten themselves ready for the tournament. So this will be the last opportunity to make improvements. It will definitely be a great test for us."
Kokomo (14-5, 6-1 NCC) is coming into the game on a five-game winning streak with wins over three NCC opponents, Logansport, Huntington North and Richmond.
Elmhurst (13-4, 7-2 Summit) has won nine out of its last 10 games, including its last win over 4A's 10th ranked Homestead, 65-60.
Like the rest of the season, the winner of game will have to do its best to defend and rebound.
"They are a great offensive rebounding team," McCauley said. "They are a great offensive team. They have great slashers and have a couple shooters. They are just very athletic, so we'll have to really defend and block out and rebound. If we can control those two areas, we'll have a better chance of winning."
Kokomo is going to have to defend senior forward Evan Cleveland, Elmhurst's top scorer. Another Trojan standout is center Antonio Wilson, who is a solid rebounder and a blocking threat.
In Kokomo's last game in a win over Richmond, juniors Cheyse Swain and Parker Salinas combined for 34 points and 17 rebounds.
For Wildkat seniors Brock Barbary, S.J. Moultrie, Braxton Shelton and T.J. Weir, Friday will be their final home game.
Friday will also be the first time the Wildkats and Trojans have met since the 1967-1968 season.
"It's kind of a regional or semi state type of situation where there is not a lot of familiarity between the teams," McCauley said.
Other games Friday:
Eastern (11-8, 2-5 MIC) at Tri-Central (8-11, 3-2 HHC), 7:30 p.m.
Maconaquah (8-11, 2-5 MIC) at Jay County (9-8, 1-2 Olympic), 8 p.m.
#2-3A Peru (18-1, 6-0 MIC) at Hamilton Heights (12-6, 4-2 MIC), 7:30 p.m.
Western (13-6, 4-2 MIC) at #4-2A Tipton (16-3, 6-0 Hoosier), 7:30 p.m.
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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