Published: March 12, 2009 11:45 pm      

HOOPS: Kokomo faces Marion in Saturday’s regional

Just a week ago, Kokomo avenged a regular-season loss by knocking off Lafayette Jeff in the open game of the Class 4A Jeff Sectional.

Saturday, the Wildkats have the chance to avenge yet another loss when they meet the host Marion Giants in regional play at Bill Green Arena.

The difference — the stakes are higher, the task even more challenging.

“We will have to play our best basketball of the season,” said Wildkat coach Brian McCauley. “For that matter, whoever wins the tournament will have to play two great games.”

Games begin at 10 a.m. when No. 6-ranked Fort Wayne Snider (22-1) meets Anderson (20-4). Kokomo (15-7) and No. 9 Marion (20-3) meet in the second game, with the championship tipping off at 8 o’clock. Single-session tickets priced at $6 will go on sale at 9 a.m.

Unlike Jeff, which beat Kokomo by just two points during the season, Marion spanked Kokomo, 56-34 on Dec. 19. That said, there were unfortunate circumstances facing the Kats.

In that game, Kokomo’s 6-foot-6 center Patrick Hopkins sprained an ankle two minutes into the second quarter while the score was still close.

Hopkins’ absence would be noticed on any occasion, but he was sorely missed against the Giants, who have the league’s top rebounder in 6-5 Mikel Brigham (10.7), who also averages 12.4 points.

Of course there’s much more to the Giants. They offer 6-6 North Carolina State-bound Scott Wood, a 93 percent free throw shooter who is averaging 25.1 points a game, along with 6-1 JaRob McCallum, a 15.9 scorer and outstanding point guard.

“Wood will pull up [and shoot] from 30 feet without hesitation,” McCauley said. “Here’s a guy that’s going to be playing in the ACC next year — a complete offensive player, the best shooter we’ve faced.

“McCallum [headed to D-I Wisconsin-Milwaukee] doesn’t get near the credit he deserves because he plays with Wood,” McCauley said. “But here’s a guy who shoots 50 percent, has shot 101 free throws and has almost four times more assists than anyone else of his team.”

The Giants also start 6-4 Thad Cardwell, who according to McCauley, usually guards the opposing team’s best offensive player, and 6-5 DavRon Williams, an outstanding athlete.

McCauley says rebounding and transition defense are two major areas of concern for his team.

“Marion is a very good offensive rebounding team and we can’t afford to give them easy putbacks,” he said. “At the same time, we have to get back on defense because Wood and McCallum are so good in the open court. We must make [Marion] earn their points.”

Hopkins (12.0 ppg and 9.43 rpg) will be a central figure in Kokomo’s plans. Alan Arnett (12.3 ppg.) looks for a much improved shooting game against the Giants. He hit just 1 of 10 shots in the first meeting on a night when the Kats had their worst shooting night of the season (11 of 41).

T.J. Weir, Brock Barbary and Tyrone Brown, all major contributors in last week’s sectional championship, will also be starters.

Kokomo seeks its 100th victory over the Giants, as the Kats lead the series 99-80. One interesting note is that Marion (37), Kokomo (33) and Anderson (30) have combined for 100 regional championships. Tournament favorite Fort Wayne Snider has none.

Other teams

• FW Snider — Snider’s only loss came to Class 2A No. 2 Fort Wayne Luers in December and two weeks later Snider returned the favor by an almost identical score. The Panthers have won 17 straight games, including an 82-66 decision over Marion in the regular season finale. Leading scorers include a trio of seniors — 6-3 Jonathan Sims (15.4), 6-5 Reggie Hearn (14.1) and 6-6 Brad Sneary (13.6).

• Anderson — The Indians lost to Marion (81-65) and beat Kokomo in overtime (71-64). They have won 12 of their last 13 games. They are led by senior guard Troy Taylor (20.9 ppg and 10.0 rpg) and senior Daniel Froedge (14.3). Tre Jackson and Roshawn Nunn each average about 10 points a game.



Class 4A regional:

At Bill Green Arena, Saturday

10 a.m. — F.W. Snider (22-1) vs. Anderson (20-4)

Noon — Kokomo (15-7) at Marion (20-3)

8 p.m. — Championship