High School Spotlight: Kokomo Wildcats

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The high school season is still a few months away but with team workouts starting to take place, it is the perfect time to start previewing the season. In this series, we will be a look at some quick hitters, the top player, potential breakout player, other roster roster members and notable games of the upcoming season. For today's spotlight, we take a look at the Kokomo Wildcats.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Quick Hitters</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Went 24-5 last season</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Made it to 4A State finals before loosing to undefeated Ben Davis</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Head coach John Peckinpaugh returns for 3rd season coming in with a 43-13 record</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Looked as one of the favorites to win Class 4A State Championship this upcoming season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Lose 3 of the top 4 scores from a season ago. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Player: [player_tooltip player_id='1363488' first='Flory' last='Bidunga']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This will be one of the easiest decisions in this series. The recent Kansas pledge comes into this upcoming season as the best prospect in the state and the current favorite to win 2024 Indiana Mr. Basketball. The generational talent led Kokomo to the Semi-State in his first season as a sophomore and then took them to the state finals as a junior. Bidunga, a 6'9″ five-star center, averaged 20.2 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting an incredible 81% from the field. Bidunga will be looking to finish up his high school career strong before his basketball career takes off to a new level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Potential Breakout Player: [player_tooltip player_id='1381461' first='Zion' last='Bellamy']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were a couple of players that could have made this list but I went with [player_tooltip player_id='1381461' first='Zion' last='Bellamy'] due to how important his role will be for the Wildcats. Bellamy missed the last part of last season with an injury and would have gave Kokomo a better chance at winning the 4A State Championship but coming into this season, his role will be a big as ever. He will be the primary ball handler for Kokomo and will be leading the backcourt all season. At 5'8", Bellamy is a true lead guard that displays great court vision, creates opportunities and can score at all three levels well. Expect big things for Bellamy. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other Important Roster Members</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2282357' first='Karson' last='Rogers']</strong> (2024) - Rodgers was another player that could be a potential breakout prospect for Kokomo this season. He plays with such a fantastic motor, athletic, rebounds and defends. He is a great complement to [player_tooltip player_id='1363488' first='Flory' last='Bidunga'] in the front court. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1561074' first='Baris' last='Moore'] - Moore is a rising 2026 that could prove to be a massive addition to the Kokomo back court this season. Moore, who transferred from Taylor, is super athletic guard that averaged 12.2 points and 2.8 assists per game his freshman season while showing off his impressive playmaking ability. He should pair well with [player_tooltip player_id='1381461' first='Zion' last='Bellamy'].</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2282348' first='Reis' last='Beard']</strong> (2024) - Beard is a multi-sport athlete that looks to be another player that could take a much needed leap for the Wildcats this season. He will likely be their go-to option on the wing this season. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Notable Games</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>At New Albany (12/2)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>At Marion, Sectional 7 Finals rematch (12/15)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>At Carmel (12/16)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Vs Crispus Attucks, Hall of Fame Tournament (12/30)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->