There were also losses to Zionsville (48-41) and Brownsburg (73-51), the latter coming at home in the championship game of the Phil Cox Memorial Tournament. So the bus going to the tunnel, security checking our bags, I think thats when it first hit us. It was just us having a game plan and going in and trying to win. What was the community support like for your team? And we had a lot of great other guys too who were great role players. Si vous ne souhaitez pas que nos partenaires et nousmmes utilisions des cookies et vos donnes personnelles pour ces motifs supplmentaires, cliquez sur Refuser tout. We watched Shawn Kemp in the state finals and Damon Bailey as well. And it's a fun group, so it's been a heck of a ride. He averaged 29.8 points in 1961-62 and 25.3 points in 1962-63. It felt amazing. There was little to suggest this fervor over Kokomo basketball was coming at the end of the 2020-21 season. "It's been special, you know," said head coach John Peckinpaugh. Everyones focused on Flory (Bidunga), and he does a great job helping those other guys out. Check out Warsaw's rosterand compare it to Kokomo's, then vote for the team you'd think would win. Thats big for me. But then we got there (to the semistate) and should have won., Kokomo was stopped by a tough-minded and undefeated Chesterton team, 42-40, in the semistate. This is an automatic for any Ben Davis opponent, but particularly in this one. Michigan City. What is the best advice for the team this weekend? Read the full story on our website at kokomotribune.com. There was a little gap in there for a minute, but were filling the stands, and its like Friday night lights again. In a 60-58 overtime home win over Western, he had 11 points, 14 rebounds and two blocked shots. He did not always know what he was doing, but he tried to do what Peckinpaugh told him. It was just one of those things that Ive always gone to Kokomo games. 10 Warsaw. Of course, youre going to be nervous. But I think thats the way you play basketball. Dont look past the moment. Im proud to say I am from Kokomo. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. I do follow them. Indiana High School Boys Basketball Tournament - Wikipedia Be in the moment. There were people lined up on both sides of (U.S.) 31, all the way to Memorial Gymnasium. What is your best advice for the team this weekend? At Ben Davis, its what we learn, to play unselfish, Carlisle said. And then I had several friends who didnt play on the basketball team, but they were mount men and cheerleaders, so them heading down to Market Square Arena, they had some deal where they would dribble down there. What did it mean to represent Kokomo to a larger audience? Like I said, Im in Fort Worth, and I tell people that in Indiana, its illegal to not have a basketball goal outside your house. Kokomo High School has one of the most prestigious programs throughout the entire history of Indiana High School Basketball. KOKOMO, Ind. Seventeen straight wins. For many high school athletes, competing for a state championship is the pinnacle of their careers. The Giants are trying to become the first team in history to win 33 consecutive games . Ben Davis spent 32 games positioning itself for such an opportunity, and on Saturday night the Giants grabbed it with both hands with a 53-41 win over Kokomo in the Class 4A championship game. All 10 teams won sectionals that year, and each was defeated by another member school until the State Championship game, which featured Muncie Central defeating fellow NCC foe Indianapolis Tech 68-49. http://www.nccsports.org/. A lot of people ask me about playing with Goose Ligon, and everybody has heard that name. There was a problem saving your notification. He was team captain as a senior in 1991-92 and helped trigger a turnaround to a second-place finish in the Southeastern Conferences East Division and 19 wins. After a 26-point loss to Fishers in the season opener, Carlisle had a long postgame discussion with the team that he had no plans for going through another season like the 9-14 year that followed the state finals run in 2019. It might come off the wrong way and he might be mad at me sometimes, but he wants to be pushed.. Cuando utilizas nuestros sitios y aplicaciones, usamos. I was trying to figure it out and pick it up. Best high school national anthem ever? Kokomo sophomore displays The crowd, the noise, the ball, the rim, everything was just a different feel at state. Peckinpaugh acknowledges there have been moments when he has had to talk to players about Bidungas attention as he rose to be ranked No. Kokomo reached the regional final in 1974, losing to Anderson. Youre still playing basketball. Rayl went on to star at Indiana, where he scored 1,401 points for his career. Were not the big city like Indianapolis. Bidunga finished with 19 points, 11 rebounds and five blocked shots. Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. I was fine for the rest of the game, but I had to ice it and stay off of it for about 10 hours. When I was overseas playing, theyd always ask me where I was from, and Id say Indiana. He was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010. The realization set in soon after he started that he was not in Indiana anymore. What is your favorite memory of that magical state run? When I was a little kid, Id go to the YMCA in downtown Kokomo, and Jimmy Rayl would be down there shooting hook shots from half court. . It was to the point where some of the players didnt want to play anymore.. Our coach, Basil Mawbey, that was his goal to go to state. The Wildkats (spelled uniquely with a "k") have won one boys state championship. I realized we had to do some things different. Shaun Arnold. There was a lot of publicity from all over the state about the Kokomo Wildkats (in 1961). afficher des publicits et des contenus personnaliss en fonction de vos profils de centres dintrt; mesurer lefficacit des publicits et contenus personnaliss; et. Mark White, a junior, is reliable off the bench along with 6-6 senior Jesse Faires. Going undefeated wasnt my goal, it was theirs, Ben Davis coach Don Carlisle said of his team. So the best advice is just to take advantage of the opportunity that you have. It was just like another game to me. Kokomo's Tom Schwartz won the award in 1944, and Jimmy Rayl won the award in 1959. Under coach Charlie Hall (1997-8 season through 2003-04 season, plus the 2005-06 season) the Wildkats compiled an astounding 54-1 record against North Central Conference opponents on their way to winning the Conference championship all 8 seasons. Southwood (15-12) vs. Indianapolis Lutheran (19-7) 10:30 a.m. Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian (26-3) vs. Linton-Stockton (29-1) Approx. He has played eight seasons professionally overseas, most recently in Argentina. The Tigers are 29-0, winning every game this season by at least double digits. 2019 INDUCTEES CLASS OF 2019 ANGIE ANDERSON-HANSEN Angie Anderson-Hansen was a four-year starter for the Taylor High School Lady Titans basketball team, graduating in 1985. I said, Why should I speak English? I joke when I grow up a little bit I will tell my teachers if I would have known, I would have listened more in classes.. That can't happen again. I love the people and they love me too, he said. Its really good to see. K.J. Ben Davis roster is filled with players like Doughty, a Valparaiso recruit who was probably overlooked early in his career. Kokomo, unable to get its offense going again, fell behind by 11 points when Doughty scored again and Mark Zackery threw one down after a steal. 12:45 p.m. If Im doing something wrong, coach will tell me and I will correct it.. The Giants have been dominant this year, but will be taking on a Wildkats team that they beat by just seven earlier this year. Video highlights, photo galleries, stories from all four games, 14th team in the states high school boys basketball history to finish undefeated, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Its exciting that they show interest in you, Bidunga said. All the fun begins at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Those skinny sophomores eventually became seniors. "They come with a mental toughness and experience being under the big lights and performing," head coach Remus Woods said. Its just that community feel. Offensively, hes improved so much. Do what your coach has always told you to do and what youve always practiced. 7 Kokomo vs. No. These guys are like blood brothers to me, Sharp said. Playing in front of a full house every single game, you could only buy half a season ticket because everyone wanted one, so you could only buy one half at a time. We beat them, and we had a really good zone defense. . Wood scored 1,114 points at Kokomo. But Im so proud that we were able to do this together.. I can remember coming back on the bus. The Wildkats (spelled uniquely with a "k") have won one boys state championship. 1:45 Ten years before Flory Bidunga arrived in Kokomo from Kinshasa, the capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, soon to become one of the state's biggest high school. Tico Brown Brown wasnt considered a big-time player at Kokomo, though he grew to 6-5 by his senior year of 1974-75 and was also a standout in track and football. So we got back to Purdue and won to make it to the state finals. This score may be too high, but it's going to be a great game and awesome atmosphere. BUILD-A-TEAM:Check out more historic rosters Kyle has put together. Its really fun to watch the crowds grow each year. Former players offer advice, reflect on own state runs. Updated: 9:05 PM EDT March 24, 2023. I said, Zane, there will be a time when you are a senior and youll be doing that.' Kokomo sophomore displays incredible voice at Indiana boys basketball championships. Updated: 8:01 AM EST March 1, 2020. They had the VanArsdale twins, and nobody from the Indianapolis area wanted Kokomo to win of course. POLICE: Person shot inside Fort Wayne mall, Solar storm on Thursday expected to make Northern Lights visible in 17 states, Live Doppler 13 Saturday evening forecast - July 8, 2023, Eastern Hancock's Spaulding brothers look, think alike on the basketball court. Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc. 9150 Meridian Street Indianapolis, Indiana . The 2003 Girl's team also featured the first undefeated season by a Kokomo basketball team, boys or girls, in school history. Good luck getting a ticket. In an intense game where the biggest lead was six points, the teams battled through 12 ties and four lead changes before the Kats prevailed 58-57. Hall went on to play at Division II Columbus State (Ga.), where he set a school record for single-game scoring (43 points) in 1979 that stood for several years. Somebody was always catering food for us. It was a bigger arena. But it was just a bigger arena than obviously than Memorial Gym or Mackey Arena over at Purdue. What we did we lived by it.. "He doesnt think hes hit his ceiling yet. We barely had people at the games. So that was really cool to hear them call my name. But just the whole atmosphere, it was just a different electric feel going into it. The big game is in Class 4A with top-ranked Ben Davis taking on Kokomo. What did it mean to represent Kokomo to a larger audience? We always stay in touch with one another. He finished his Kokomo career with 1,163 points and averaged 23.7 points per game. Its a dream come true. He led Kokomo to a 24-3 record and regional championship. He graduated No. Jim Goose Ligon The 6-7 Ligon was considered one of the best players in state history at the time, earning Indiana All-Star honors as a senior in 1961-62. "It really wasn't my goal. The Giants are trying to become the first team in history to win 33 consecutive games in a season and win the state title. One rule: No school would have more than a 10-player roster. What is exciting about this years team? The year before, we got beat in the semi-state, but a couple teammates and I went down to watch the state finals. And they ask me how Goose compares with Flory, and its a really hard question to answer. What do you remember most about the state tournament? As a team, collectively, we just came together and got there and tried to get a win. Former players offer advice, reflect on own state runs Then, the other people would buy the other half. He runs the floor, blocks shots, dunks and then signs autographs and takes pictures with fans after games. Its hard to do something and live by it. Southwood (15-12) vs. Indianapolis Lutheran (19-7) 10:30 a.m. Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian (26-3) vs. Linton-Stockton (29-1) Approx. In the history of this tournament - which goes back to 1911 - no team has gone 33-0 and won a . Whos Flory? Brian Hogan The 6-2 Hogan was an Indiana All-Star in 1987-88 as the point guard averaged 14.4 points per game. What you want is to be in some kind of flow, each next moment a discovery.Stephen Dunn (b. The community support has just been overwhelming this past season. Billboard mystery: Signs touting Kokomo's '61 championship puzzle But since then? Ben Davis is seeking to become the first team in 113 years to win 33 games in a season and a state title. To this day, I know theyre amazing. They play with high intensity, and it seems like they have great comradery with each other. 1 in Class 4A, and now they try to finish what they started. To me, the shooting was different because of all the background. We hit a buzzer beater the next week in semistate. Playing in front of a full house every single game, you could only buy half a season ticket because everyone wanted one, so you could only buy one half at a time. I remember just all the cheerleaders with the decorations of our rooms and all that stuff. Unfortunately for me, I sprained my ankle in that final four game, and so I had to ice it. IndyStar high school sports Insider Kyle Neddenriep identified the 64 best high school teams of all-time. Kokomo reached the final four in 1962, losing by one point to East Chicago Washington in the afternoon game of the state finals. And hes going to be a legend, so thats why I nicknamed him Goose Too.. And to do it in front of those fans every night at Memorial Gym, they travel well. He starred there for two seasons, averaging 17.7 points and 16.7 points in his two seasons, earning first-team all-conference honors. I can remember when we went on the floor, it was like it had springs in it. INDIANAPOLIS There is at least one Indiana high school boys basketball team hoping to make history this year. Ben Davis top-ranked team, about 30 minutes earlier, had finished off its historic perfect season with a 53-41 win over Kokomo and players and coaches mingled on the court, talking and laughing. 2023 www.indystar.com. What was the community support like for your team? He spent a year Highland Community College before transferring to Valparaiso. I didnt even know who he was at the time until my dad told me. He went on to play at Indiana, where he started a center for three seasons and averaged 5.8 points. Si quieres personalizar tus opciones, haz clic en Gestionar configuracin de privacidad. Its just unbelievable for the few years hes even played basketball. Being a Wildkat was awesome. I do a lot of comparison with Flory [Bidunga] and Goose Ligon back when I played with him. Just the surrounding parts was nothing we had ever experienced, me or my teammates. Local news, breaking news, weather and traffic, Local sports from Kokomo and Howard County, Ace Frehley's tour manager facing intimidation charge, Kokomo man caught up in Twitter rumors spread by Florida's Rebekah Jones, Konklave in Kokomo: A look back at the infamous 1923 KKK rally, Here's what to expect at the 2023 Howard County 4-H Fair, Neeley twins, Eastern relay team join Indiana Track and Field Hall, New book delves into unsolved Tabitha Raines homicide, Prison ministry sues sheriff over jail's book policy, Free textbook law raises questions for schools, Kokomo Humane Society will hold a carnival Saturday, DIETZEL, Ursula Jan 16, 1941 - Jun 21, 2023, GAMBLIN, Sandra Sep 6, 1939 - Jul 5, 2023, MERIWETHER, Mrs. Ruthel Jul 24, 1929 - Jun 29, 2023, ELLER, Pauline Oct 28, 1918 - Jul 4, 2023, WILKINSON, Jess Apr 18, 1962 - Jul 5, 2023. Hughes went on to play at Purdue, where he averaged 7.6 points in 58 games over three seasons. The sophomore Zackery, who has earned the nickname Big Game, came up big again with 16 points, including 3-for-4 from the 3-point line. IHSAA basketball: Ben Davis chases history vs. Flory Bidunga, Kokomo And when we arrived at the gymnasium, it was packed. The Wildkats have rolled off 17 consecutive wins, led by Flory Bidunga, one of the top players in the entire country. 1924-25 Frankfort Everett Case 27-2 Kokomo Chester Hill -- 34-20 Box 1925-26 Marion Gene Thomas 27-2 Martinsville Glenn Curtis -- 30-23 Box . We always dreamed of this. Scholarship offers rolled in from Wake Forest, Creighton, Auburn, Arizona State, Butler, Kansas, Florida, Louisville, Kentucky, Cincinnati, Georgetown, Indiana and Purdue. Admin | Fall Winter Spring Photos Watch Calendar Shop More Fall Fall BOYS CROSS COUNTRY BOYS CROSS COUNTRY Varsity Middle School COED CROSS COUNTRY COED CROSS COUNTRY Middle School GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY Varsity Middle School BOYS FOOTBALL BOYS FOOTBALL Varsity Junior Varsity Freshman 8th Grade 7th Grade GIRLS GOLF GIRLS GOLF 8:15 p.m. Ligon was also first-team all-state in football. 3 on Kokomos all-time scoring list with 1,280 career points. It was big because its always good to be able to represent your city in a big way like that. All season long, the Giants have dominated. So by the time I got to the championship game, I couldnt move like I normally could. One of my best friends is an assistant coach, and we played together on that team (Labradford Sebree). The conference also has numerous runner-up and final four appearances as well. Kokomos Bidunga, who has only been in the United States since August of 2021 after coming from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was in tears after the game. What do you remember most about the state tournament? State Championships; Sport Year(s) Baseball (1) 1985 Boys Basketball (1) 1961 . Kokomo Wildkats Calendar - Kokomo Wildkats - Kokomo, IN The state championship game (in 1961) was at Hinkle Fieldhouse, and it was a madhouse. We played really well from January on, and we won sectionals and regionals. Ben Davis is on the hunt for a perfect season. What I always say is that you have to seize the moment. It was such an exciting game. Boys Varsity Basketball : Phil Cox Tournament: Home Memorial Gym- Kokomo : 10:00 am : Loss 73 - 51: Event Recap . When the girls won in 1991 and 1992, we went to all that stuff. As I continue to evolve as a coach, that will never change. Thats just me. He never intended on getting into teaching or coaching until that year in Paris. 2023 www.indystar.com. The least I can do is listen. Winning one is even better. In the long history of the tournament no team has gone 33-0 and won a state title. That team, Carlisle jokes, would probably lose to this Ben Davis team by about 150 points. That was his last year playing professional basketball. So work together as a team, and dont get caught up in all the hoopla. Example video title will go here for this video, HeartThreads in the Zevely Zone | Inspirational People. Wow, were actually here, and were about to play for the state finals.. If Butler and Windham are hitting 3s, the Giants are tough to beat. What do you remember most about the state tournament? And they got it. So what happened was the downtown campus had eighth and ninth grades. Shaun Arnold added 12 points. Eight teams advanced Saturday to play for a state championship in Indianapolis this coming weekend. So just the size of it was different, and then you got to hear the announcers who you grew up listening to. It should be a great matchup. Thats just the way Indiana basketball is. Assistant coach Courtney James works closely with Doughty, often pulling him aside in huddles or vice versa. Nine state championship games have featured two NCC teams at the same time, by far the most of any conference in the state. I really thought we had every position filled with really great talent. Ben Davis beat Kokomo by seven in a game earlier this year. From the beginning of the season we wanted to be 33-0 and break the record. Kokomo (24-5) had the crowd behind it and the momentum at the start of the fourth quarter. Im getting calls from people from college and asking whats going on in Kokomo. dvelopper et amliorer nos produits et services. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles. He played five seasons in the ABA with the Kentucky Colonels, averaging 14.4 points and 11.7 rebounds. So we have our work cut out for us, but I believe it will be more about what we do as a Ben Davis basketball team than what we prepare for them," Carlisle said. Kokomo is the opponent, a team that has been piling up wins heading into Saturday's state championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. They just did. He was already good defensively. Dont think of it as anything else. And we pulled it out in overtime. In 1989, Kokomo High School's Matt Johnson plays in the State Basketball Championship against Laurence North. What is exciting about this years team? What is your best advice for the team this weekend? The Indiana High School Boys Basketball Tournament, organized by the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA), is one of the oldest state high school basketball tournament in America. Low 56F. This was capped in 1952 when the NCC, a 10 school conference at the time, went a perfect 50-0 against teams outside the conference in the state tournament. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.. Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Memorial Gym and Kautz football field, the baseball field down at Highland Park. But that made me a better coach.. You step up to that line when youre 6 years old and said, Man, Im playing for the state championship in Indiana, and if I make this free throw, I win the game for us. Thats how we felt. Ben Davis goes for its 33rd straight win on Saturday night when it battles Kokomo in the IHSAA class 4A boy's state championship game. The attention might be on Flory. (WTHR) Northwestern High School in Kokomo is looking to complete a perfect season with a third consecutive girls basketball state championship. What is your favorite memory of that magical state run? Standing in their way is the Kokomo and the 6-10 Bidunga, the player Carlisle calls one of the better players in the country, comparing him to former Lawrence North and Ohio State star Greg Oden. He was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017. This group has really only heard my voice and my assistants (voices), Carlisle said. ET - Class 1A State ChampionshipSouthwood (15-12) vs. Indianapolis Lutheran (19-7), Approx. But Doughty made two strong moves on Bidunga, pushing the Ben Davis lead back to 40-33 with 6:20 remaining. The Wildkats were 15-7 at the end of the regular season before knocking off Harrison and Lafayette Jeff to win the sectional. So what I teach the athletes I work with is that pressure just has to do with what youre focused on. There will probably be another team that comes along someday and goes undefeated, maybe even matches the Giants 33-0 mark.
