Kokomo hopes to end year on solid footing

By DAVE KITCHELL
Tribune sports editor

December 26, 2007 11:07 pm

— Christmas 2007 was a whole lot better than Christmas 2006 for Kokomo High School’s Brian McCauley.
A year ago in his first season as the boys varsity basketball coach, his young, inexperienced Wildkats were 0-7 and facing a staggering uphill struggle.
This year, McCauley not only had a new baby in the house for Christmas, but a 3-3 won-lost record to lean on. McCauley would love to be 6-0 heading into Friday night’s game at Frankfort, but he’s realistic enough to know, considering the schedule, 3-3 isn’t too bad.
The Kats have beaten the teams in their talent/experience range and lost to heavyweights, No. 1 Marion, Muncie Central and North Central.
“I’m pleased with how we’re playing,” McCauley said. “We’ve beaten some good teams and competed with some outstanding teams. Other than the Muncie Central game, I’ve been pleased with our effort and that’s really important.
“Our team chemistry is so much better. Any fan would have noticed last year that it was a struggle, offensively and defensively, and that we just didn’t play together very well. This year I’m pleased the way our wins have come — good balance, contributions from the bench — truly a team effort.”
McCauley knows his team must still improve by leaps and bounds. Beginning Jan. 5, the Kats face a five-game stretch against McCutcheon, New Castle, Carmel, Tipton and Anderson — teams who have a combined record of 30-4.
That means games against Frankfort and Peru on Jan. 4, along with all the practices along the way, are crucial.
“Obviously we are much better than a year ago and we’re gaining confidence all the time, but we still have a ways to go,” McCauley said. “We seem to take a step forward and then a step back and that’s disappointing. We can’t afford to take steps back. We have to continue moving forward by doing the things within our control, the right way.”
Frankfort will be no soft touch. The Hot Dogs (4-2) had won three straight over Twin Lakes, West Lafayette and Logansport before running into a difficult stretch of illness and Class 2A, No. 2 Northwestern last week.
Northwestern won on its home court, 60-43, but Frankfort was missing its No. 2 scorer Jack Warwick (15.2 ppg.) and was getting less than an ideal performance from leading scorer Stevie Loveless (20.5 ppg.), who was in the hospital just three days prior to the game.
McCauley said his Kats face a very difficult test against a healthy Frankfort team on the Hot Dogs’ court.
“This is probably the best offensive team we’ve faced,” McCauley said. “It all starts with Loveless. He’s athletic, a very good 3-point shooter, a penentrator and a guy who gets a ton of offensive rebounds and trips to the free throw line. He’s a legitimate [Indiana] All-Star candidate [in 2009].
“Keys for us are to limit [Frankfort’s] penetration and rebound well on both ends of the court. We just have to keep them off the boards.”
Kokomo continues to offer good scoring balance. Junior center Patrick Hopkins leads with a 13.3 scoring average, just ahead of T.J. Weir (12.5). Colton Summers (8.3), Alston Andrews (6.2) and Tyron Brown (5.7) add to the attack. Hopkins also leads in rebounding (6.3) and Andrews ranks No. 1 in assists (4.0) and steals (1.8).
Other games
The two-night Clinton Central Tournament is scheduled this weekend.
Carroll (1-4) takes on Clinton Prairie (4-3) in Friday’s 6 o’clock opener, before Tri-Central (0-6) takes on the host Bulldogs (3-4). The consolation and finals are set for the same times on Saturday.
The Trojans opened their season with a grueling four-game set against Tipton, Northwestern, Taylor and Hamilton Heights, but have since gotten much more competitive in losses to Lakewood Park and Madison-Grant.
Senior Justin Huddleston leads TC in scoring (15.8), assists (3.8) and rebounding (4.7).

Boys schedule:
Friday
6 p.m. — Kokomo at Frankfort
6 p.m. — Norwell at Peru
Clinton Central Tournament
6 p.m. — Carroll vs. Clinton Prairie
8 p.m. — Tri-Central vs. Clinton Central
Saturday
Clinton Central Tournament
6 p.m. — Consolation
8 p.m. — Championship

Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.