Post by Loucks on Nov 29, 2009 19:18:33 GMT -5
Article about Cody Cochran from today:
Tigers top Panthers in opening challenge
BLUFFTON – Bluffton got what it was looking for in adding Snider to its boys basketball schedule.
And a little bonus – a win.
The Class 2A No. 4 Tigers got the challenge they wanted and a little more in beating last year’s Class 4A state runner-up Panthers 77-66 on Saturday.
Bluffton needed a game to fill in for Blackford, which needed to make a switch because of an opportunity to play in a tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
It worked out that Bluffton (1-0) and Snider (0-1) squared off in the first meeting between the two schools.
“We had the opportunity to play multiple teams, and I just said if we are going to play anybody, we are going to challenge ourselves,” first-year coach Kevin Leising said. “If we are going to be competitive in the sectional, we feel like we have to test ourselves.”
What Leising, a former Bellmont coach taking over for Wayne Barker, saw in his new team was a familiar face in senior forward Cody Cochran, who led the Tigers with 33 points, and some capable complements.
“Cody has arguably been our best player the last two years,” said Leising, who was a Bluffton assistant coach for the last nine years. “Cody has always been the hub of our wheel, but tonight our guys played around Cody, and they didn’t just watch him.”
Bluffton was successful the last two years with a record of 44-4, but had to deal with the loss of Jared Johnson, Matt Campbell and Brock Woodward.
“Coming into the season we were worried about our team chemistry,” Cochran said. “Tonight really showed that our guys are mature and fundamental. We were glued together tonight.”
The 4A No. 6 Panthers were getting new looks at key personnel as well, including rookie coach John Todor, who replaced Ray Sims.
The entire starting lineup graduated from last year’s team that lost to Bloomington South in the 4A state title game.
“We have guys who this is the first time they have started, ever,” Todor said. “Inexperience was key in tonight’s loss. We are going to need some more practice time to be at our best.”
Nick Lewis led Snider with 15 points, while Cody Sarrazin added 11 while battling foul trouble and sitting out most of the first half and fourth quarter.
Snider led 33-29 late in the second quarter but Bluffton went on a 14-0 run into the third and opened up a double-figure advantage.
Tigers top Panthers in opening challenge
BLUFFTON – Bluffton got what it was looking for in adding Snider to its boys basketball schedule.
And a little bonus – a win.
The Class 2A No. 4 Tigers got the challenge they wanted and a little more in beating last year’s Class 4A state runner-up Panthers 77-66 on Saturday.
Bluffton needed a game to fill in for Blackford, which needed to make a switch because of an opportunity to play in a tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
It worked out that Bluffton (1-0) and Snider (0-1) squared off in the first meeting between the two schools.
“We had the opportunity to play multiple teams, and I just said if we are going to play anybody, we are going to challenge ourselves,” first-year coach Kevin Leising said. “If we are going to be competitive in the sectional, we feel like we have to test ourselves.”
What Leising, a former Bellmont coach taking over for Wayne Barker, saw in his new team was a familiar face in senior forward Cody Cochran, who led the Tigers with 33 points, and some capable complements.
“Cody has arguably been our best player the last two years,” said Leising, who was a Bluffton assistant coach for the last nine years. “Cody has always been the hub of our wheel, but tonight our guys played around Cody, and they didn’t just watch him.”
Bluffton was successful the last two years with a record of 44-4, but had to deal with the loss of Jared Johnson, Matt Campbell and Brock Woodward.
“Coming into the season we were worried about our team chemistry,” Cochran said. “Tonight really showed that our guys are mature and fundamental. We were glued together tonight.”
The 4A No. 6 Panthers were getting new looks at key personnel as well, including rookie coach John Todor, who replaced Ray Sims.
The entire starting lineup graduated from last year’s team that lost to Bloomington South in the 4A state title game.
“We have guys who this is the first time they have started, ever,” Todor said. “Inexperience was key in tonight’s loss. We are going to need some more practice time to be at our best.”
Nick Lewis led Snider with 15 points, while Cody Sarrazin added 11 while battling foul trouble and sitting out most of the first half and fourth quarter.
Snider led 33-29 late in the second quarter but Bluffton went on a 14-0 run into the third and opened up a double-figure advantage.
