Published: February 20, 2008 11:43 pm            

Wildkats end long NCC road drought

Kokomo beats Huntington to finish 4-3 in league play

HUNTINGTON — Brian McCauley’s 40th game as Kokomo boys basketball coach won’t be remembered for any last-minute heroics or record setting performances, but it will certainly be remembered as a turning point for the Wildkats program.

Kokomo pulled away slowly but surely over the course of Wednesday night’s game, fought off Huntington North’s last-minute comeback attempts, and held on for a 65-55 win over the host Vikings in North Central Conference play.

It was Kokomo’s first NCC road victory since Jan. 20, 2006, at Richmond — 761 days ago.

The win lifted the Kats to 11-8 overall and 4-3 in the NCC, guaranteeing Kokomo a winning record in both categories. That’s not a bad accomplishment, considering last year’s squad finished 5-16, notching just a single NCC win with a 61-49 victory over the Vikings at Memorial Gymnasium.

“Mission accomplished in the NCC,” McCauley said. “All four of those victories were quality wins that came against quality opponents. It’s been a long time since our program has had an NCC road win. We’re really pleased with the progress of the team since last season, and it really shows in the won-lost column.”

Huntington North (4-15, 1-6 NCC) jumped out to a 4-0 lead to start the game on two Jeff Herring putbacks. T.J. Weir gave Kokomo its first lead, 6-4, on a 3-pointer at 3:15 in the first. The Vikings tied the game at 8 on a Kevin Fisher basket with :52 remaining in the first stanza, but that was as close as the Vikings would get.

Alston Andrews’ 3-pointer at the buzzer gave Kokomo an 11-8 lead at the first stop. Andrews put Kokomo up by eight at the half, 28-20, duplicating his first quarter finale by hitting another 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Weir and Andrews shared scoring honors for Kokomo, netting 16 points each, and Colton Summers followed with 13. The trio combined to shoot 8 of 17 from behind the arc. Patrick Hopkins also turned in a solid performance. The 6-foot-6 junior scored nine points and more than doubled his season rebounding average, muscling 16 boards.

McCauley also noted the play of reserves Jacob Blackamore and Parker Salinas.

“We had great contributions all around,” McCauley said. “Blackamore and Salinas come in and give us energy boosts we need. We shot well, especially from 3-point range, and guys did a good job of finding the shooters on the perimeter.

“Patrick did a great job. That’s probably a season high for him [in rebounds]. He does a great job of accepting that role as an aggressive player and rebounder and leading by example.”

Kokomo maintained an eight point lead, 39-31, heading into the final frame. The Kats led for double digits for most of the final eight minutes, but Colin Henry got the VIkings to within seven, 59-52, on a basket with :38 showing.

Kokomo’s 10 of 16 fourth quarter free throw shooting helped the Kats keep the game out of the Vikings’ reach.

“We knocked down some crucial free throws in the fourth quarter, but [Huntington North] made it a game in the end. They didn’t give up until the very end and that’s a big credit to them.”

Kokomo hosts Maconaquah Friday night to finish the regular season. The Kats are then idle until the following Friday, when they open up Class 4A Lafayette Jeff Sectional play against a McCutcheon team that handed them a 62-52 loss on Jan. 5.

Ryan Richison led Huntington North with 17 points and Herring finished with 12 points and 11 boards.

        

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