The Kokomo Post Sports - Game of the Week: Kokomo VS Tipton (Photo Gallery)
The Inferno at Tipton High School was the stage for a hard-fought battle between Tipton and Kokomo on Saturday night. Despite missing head coach John Peckinpaugh on the sideline, the Wildkats overcame adversity to secure a 63-59 victory.
Tipton entered the matchup on an eight-game winning streak but struggled to find momentum early. Kokomo’s Zion Bellamy led the charge with 16 first-quarter points, helping the Wildkats build a 19-10 lead by the end of the period.
Kokomo maintained its advantage in the second quarter. Though Tipton chipped away at the lead, the Blue Devils couldn’t overcome Kokomo’s strong shooting, and the Wildkats entered halftime ahead 31-25.
The Blue Devils came out firing in the third quarter, led by Indiana All-Star candidate Grady Carpenter. Tipton’s fans erupted as Carpenter spearheaded a run that forced Kokomo to call a timeout. The Wildkats weathered the storm, clinging to a 46-44 lead heading into the fourth.
The final quarter was a back-and-forth battle. Kokomo’s defense stepped up, and a crucial dunk from DJ Nash sealed the deal, helping the Wildkats secure the hard-earned road win.With the victory, Kokomo continues to prove its resilience, even in the absence of its head coach.
