From staff reports
—
The opening night of the boys basketball season has arrived.
The biggest game in the area tonight is the annual pre-Thanksgiving clash between Kokomo and Western, with the game at Western this year. The teams had a combined 39-11 record last year, and both won sectional championships.
At halftime of the varsity game, Western will honor one of its all-time favorite athletes — Ezra Hendrickson, who was a starter on the Panthers’ 1990 Kokomo Sectional championship team. Hendrickson went on to an outstanding soccer career, playing on three MLS championship teams. He now is an assistant coach with the MLS’ Seattle Sounders.
Rivals Tipton and Tri-Central meet at Sharpsville for the annual season-opening battle for Tipton County bragging rights. The Blue Devils have won the last five in a row.
Northwestern makes the trek to Fairmount to face a Madison-Grant. The teams have split games the last two seasons.
Eastern visits Frankton in an opening-game rivalry series dating back the past eight seasons. Eastern has won the last four meetings, and Frankton won the previous four.
Cass hosts North Miami. The Kings took the last two season openers from the Warriors.
The following is this week’s schedule of boys games. JV games start at 6 p.m.
Today
Kokomo at Western
Northwestern at Madison−Grant
Eastern at Frankton
Tipton at Tri-Central
North Miami at Cass
Saturday
Frankton at Taylor
Kokomo at Westfield
Logansport at Maconaquah
Northwestern at Tri−Central (girls-boys; girls start at 6 p.m.)
