Published: November 20, 2007 09:10 pm            

BOYS BBALL: Panthers-Kats battle tonight

All of a sudden, it’s a ‘rivalry’

Rivalry games aren’t determined purely by conference affiliations or geography. It’s a fact that games have to be competitive for a rivalry to exist.

Until 2002, the Kokomo-Western boys basketball series wasn’t anything close to that because it generally lacked the most important element of any game — suspense. To that point, the series stood 48-3 in Kokomo’s favor.

That has all changed. Western has won three of the last four annual season openers between the schools and tonight at Memorial Gymnasium, seeks an unprecedented third straight win in the series.

The varsity game should tip-off around 7:30. Tickets priced at $5 will be available at gates 1 and 8 beginning at 5:30. The game is one of six on the area schedule tonight.

“It’s turned into a good rivalry,” said Western coach Andy Weaver. “Both schools respect each other, play hard and afterward shake hands and get on with their seasons. It’s good for both teams to have a competitive game right out of the gate. All the games in recent years have been closely contested. They’ve often come down to key possessions and that’s what you want.”

Wildkat coach Brian McCauley has been on all sides of this series. He played for Kokomo teams in the mid-1990s that won three straight over Western by an average of 42 points a game, was a member of Weaver’s staff for three seasons, then coached Kokomo last season.

“It’s developed into a rivalry that was one-sided early on, then one-sided again lately,” McCauley said, noting the change in direction. “The [students] know each other and it’s fun — it’s a good game for Memorial Gym, the fans and the players. It’s a game that provides high school memories.”

This game is a bit different than those in recent years.

“There’s more of a mystery to (tonight’s) game because in past years, we’ve known a lot about the players on both teams,” Weaver said. “That isn’t the case this year.”

While Western has two returning starters from last year’s 20-4 sectional championship squad, seven of the 10 players Western will suit up tonight played only JV last season.

Three-year starter Marc Slick will be the Panthers’ go-to guy. The 6-foot-4, 195 pounder averaged 10.8 points per game last season on a squad dominated by seniors.

“His strength is that he has the ability to score inside or outside,” Weaver said. “Last year he shot 35 percent from 3-point range and I think that could go up this season. Last year he was probably getting our opponents’ No. 3 defensive guy and this year, he’ll get their No. 1. That will make a difference for him.”

Western also offers Wes White (6-3) who drew 17 starts last season, primarily as a ball-handler. Also joining the starting lineup are Travis White (5-10) and Matt Reida (5-11). Darrian Greene (6-3), Jake Lazar (6-2) and Josh McGinnis (6-1) also look to get playing time.

“A key for us will be rebounding,” Weaver said. “We aren’t very big and for us to be successful, all five players will have to rebound. We also need to make sure we’re taking care of the basketball. We know we’ll be tested there.”

Kokomo does have more bodies than Western who have played varsity basketball. But to put it in perspective, Slick has more starts (47) than all of last season’s Kokomo players (45) put together.

Junior center Patrick Hopkins (6-6) has the bulk of the experience, drawing 19 starts last season. He was the team’s leading rebounder (7.3) and No. 2 scorer at (9.0). He’ll likely be joined in the starting lineup by guards T.J. Weir (5-11) and Jacob Blackamore (6-2) and forwards Tyrone Brown (6-2) and Colton Summers (6-3). It’s a lineup that features all underclassmen.

Alston Andrews could see playing time. A varsity starter as a sophomore, Andrews lived out of state most of last school year, but returned to Kokomo for his senior year. Andrews was injured late in the Wildkats’ football season and his practice time has been limited.

“The points of emphasis for us all season will be to play hard, play smart and play together,” McCauley said. “If we can do those things well each game, I’ll be pleased no matter what the outcome is.”

        

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