Published: February 08, 2008 12:21 am            

Brown, Hopkins combine for 28 in Kats’ win

Kokomo utilized a 15-0 run over an eight-minute span to break away from a determined Logansport squad as the Wildkats won 49-38, in North Central Conference play Thursday night at Memorial Gymnasium.

The victory, Kokomo’s third straight, pushed the Wildkats to 10-7 overall and to 3-2 in conference play, while Logansport fell to 3-11 and 0-5. With Richmond and Huntington North yet to play, the Kats are on the verge on a high conference finish.

The decisive Kokomo run began in the second quarter with the Berries leading 16-14. Over the final four minutes of the stanza, the Wildkats scored six points while holding the visitors scoreless to take a 20-16 halftime lead.

The Wildkats then added a 9-0 run in the first 3:13 of the third quarter to extend the lead to 29-17. Despite a couple of late fourth quarter surges, the Berries would be able to get no closer than six points the remainder of the contest.

“Logansport is very well coached and they came in with a great game plan tonight,” said Kokomo Coach Brian McCauley. “They mixed things up defensively and defended the perimeter very well. However, that opened up some things for us in the post and allowed us to get off to a great start in the second half.”

A key to the 15-point run was the play of Kokomo junior forward Tyrone Brown. Scoring inside on a variety of looks, Brown scored six points during the second and third quarter rally en route to tying his career high scoring mark of 17 points.

“Kokomo is a team with great balance and although we defended the 3-point line well tonight, Brown was able to hurt us in the second half,” said Logansport Coach Mark Victor. “While I was encouraged by our defensive effort tonight, we didn’t shoot the ball very well and we committed too many turnovers (14) that led to easy baskets.” The Kats scored 18 points off turnovers.

Kokomo’s bench also played a key in Thursday night’s victory as Alan Arnett, Alston Andrews and Parker Salinas provided key contributions on a night when starters T.J. Weir and Colton Summers combined to score just seven points on 2 of 9 shooting, including 1 of 7 from 3-point range.

Arnett finished with nine points and Andrews added four, while protecting the ball effectively at the point. The Wildkats committed just seven turnovers in the contest, well under their average of 13.

“Tonight our bench outscores their bench by nine points and we win by 11,” said McCauley. “When we were struggling with our energy early in the game, the subs really brought some much needed energy and intensity.”

In support of Brown’s 17 markers, Kokomo’s Patrick Hopkins turned in what McCauley described as a “nice all-around solid game.” The junior center finished with 11 points, a game-high 11 rebounds, five assists and three blocked shots. Hopkins has now recorded a double-double in points and rebounds in three straight games — all wins.

Logansport was led in scoring by sophomore guard Nathan Champion with 12 points. Junior forward Joel Gotshall added 10 points and a team-high nine rebounds.

Kokomo now enjoys eight days off before returning to action on Saturday, Feb. 15, when the Wildkats travel to NCC foe Richmond.

        

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