Wildkats' season comes to violent end against Harrison

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It would be unrealistic to think that Kokomo was favored to reach the state finals this year, but the 2024-25 Wildkats did their best to establish their own legacy. That story ended on March 8, however, as Kokomo fell to the Harrison Raiders in the final of the IHSAA boys' basketball sectional, 70-63.

After taking a 20-19 lead into the second quarter, the Kats disappeared from the scoreboard. They watched as Harrison built a seven-point lead going into halftime. Trailing 34-27, Kokomo needed momentum, and they found it in the third.

With less than a minute remaining in the quarter, Kokomo had battled back, and the play on the court became chippy. Freshman D.J. Nash was given a chance to shine, and he capitalized, but not without some opposition.

Harrison's Brady Henchon, a bench player trying to match Nash, had been physical, and Nash readily answered. The two tangled with and away from the ball, and eventually Nash snapped.

With both arms hooked, Nash took Henchon off his feet, a clear foul. But the referee had witnessed the entire exchange and issued a foul to both players.

That fact was lost in the storm that followed. Harrison lost its composure and dignity. The Raiders bench cleared, with the coach and players storming the court for a donnybrook that didn't materialize.

Kokomo didn't respond. They stayed on the sidelines. That left Harrison exposed for the technical foul that followed, along with ejections for three Harrison players who left their bench.

Unfortunately for the Kats, the incident fueled the remaining Raiders. They went on a 16-3 run after the foul, lasting well into the fourth quarter. Kokomo couldn't match Harrison's output and lost the contest, 70-63.

Junior Korbyn Hammel led the Kats in scoring in their final game, amassing 18 points and seven rebounds. Senior captain Zion Bellamy added 15 points, and Nash was good for 12.

In the semi-final round on March 7, Kokomo dispatched McCutcheon, 70-62, thanks to a balanced attack. Four Kats scored in double digits in a contest that saw them build a 16-point lead in the first half, then hold on as the Mavericks tried to claw ther way back into the game.

Bellamy and senior A'Dayveon Young each scored 16 points, and Young managed five steals. Junior Baris Moore added 12 points, and Hammel produced 11 points.

The Wildkats end their season with a 17-8 mark.

See additional photos from the Wildkats’ sectional run, including galleries from the Harrison and McCutcheon games, along with a gallery of the crowd and cheer block, courtesy of Goad Sports Media, on the Lantern’s Facebook page or group.