Published: February 12, 2009 12:09 am      

Lady Kats gear up for rematch with Mavericks

Kokomo begins sectional play Friday night

Two years ago, in Jason Snyder’s first season as coach of the Kokomo girls basketball team, the first loss he experienced in Memorial Gymnasium was to McCutcheon, 46-44.

About three weeks later, Snyder’s Kats got even. In the semifinal of the Class 4A Logansport Sectional, Kokomo beat McCutcheon in yet another close game that over the years has become typical in this rivalry.

Three weeks ago, the Mavericks staged a come-from-behind victory over the Kats and yes — the score was again 46-44. Friday night at the McCutcheon Sectional, the Kats will again have the opportunity to avenge that loss.

It will be Kokomo (10-8) taking on McCutcheon (11-10) in the 6 o’clock opener, followed by the Lafayette (17-4) vs. Logansport (17-4) nightcap. The championship is set for 7:30 Saturday.

Snyder sees the state’s No. 2 highest scoring team Lafayette Jeff (80.3) as the tourney favorite, but expects three competitive games this weekend.

“Jeff is the highest ranking team — that is they’ve been in and out of the rankings all season,” said Snyder. “But there are opportunities for all four teams. It’s a matter of who best can hide their weaknesses and accentuate their positives.”

Lafayette boasts of the Richardson sisters — Charae and Brandi — who combined average 40 points a game. Toss in Channie Williams, who averages 13.2 points, and it’s easily to see the kind of firepower Jeff offers.

As a team, Kokomo hit 60 3-point shots this season. Just the top trio of Jeff’s top scorers accounted for 119 3-point baskets. Jeff did not play Logansport during the season, but beat McCutcheon twice and Kokomo once (76-57).

Logansport shares the lofty 17-4 record with Jeff, but didn’t play near the quality schedule that the Broncos did. The Berries will count on forward Jasmine Penny (21.2 points, 9.5 rebounds per game) to lead the way. Logansport’s post-season hopes took a hit at mid-season when senior at No. 2 scorer Lindsay Rich suffered a torn ACL.

Of course for Kokomo, it’s a matter of getting past McCutcheon before having the opportunity to play either Jeff or Logansport. Snyder knows he needs his team’s best performances to win the school’s 21st sectional over the past 28 years.

“We’re continuing to get better, but we definitely haven’t hit our peak yet,” Snyder said. “We hope to play our best basketball of the season this weekend.”

Inexperience and injuries have played a part in what Snyder called an up and down season. Sophomore Kelly Hopkins was the only returning starter from last year’s sectional championship team, while Clarissa Woodard and Abby Hemmeger were among the top backup players. This team is still young too — its first seven players in minutes-played are underclassmen.

“We didn’t have a lot of varsity experience back and then we had the injury bug hit,” Snyder said. “We had at least one of our top seven players out of the lineup until the last two games, so it’s just now that we have everyone available.”

One team strength is a balanced scoring attack. Skylarr Shurn, the squad’s top 3-point shooter at 39 percent, leads with a 12.7 scoring average. Hopkins (12.2) and Woodard (11.1) account for much of Kokomo’s inside scoring and the pair have nearly identical rebound averages of just over seven per outing. The 6-foot-3 sophomore Hopkins also averages 2.3 blocks. Shurn leads in assists (2.7) and at 5-7, lands an impressive 5.3 rebounds per outing. Hemmeger averages 6.3 points, 5.1 boards and leads the team in steals (2.3).

Like Kokomo, McCutcheon offers balanced scoring. Sophomore Jessica Valley averages 11 points per game, followed by Kelsey Rummel (8.5) and Lakan Smith (7.6).

In the regular season game with McCutcheon, Kokomo lost a 14-point second half lead en route to that 46-44 loss. He hopes lessons were learned.

“We have to make sure we are playing together and playing great defense,” he said. “We especially have to limit their guard penetration that could get them baskets or to the free throw line.”



Class 4A sectional:

At McCutcheon

Tuesday

Lafayette Jeff 58, Harrison 25

Friday

6 p.m. — Kokomo at McCutcheon

7:45 p.m. — Lafayette Jeff vs. Kokomo

Saturday

7:30 p.m. — Championship