Tigers tonight at Goshen

By KEVIN PEARCEY

Sports Writer

The Class 3A Area 4 title is on the line tonight in Goshen as the Eagles take on Calhoun for the second time this season, seeking to avenge an earlier 79-75 loss to the Tigers.

Should Goshen win tonight, both the Eagles and Calhoun would be tied for the area championship and with the title comes the right to host the area tournament.

"I hope we can take it tonight," said Eagles coach Major Lane. "If we can and everything else falls into place throughout the rest of the season, then we can host the area tournament."

To beat Calhoun, Lane said, his team is going to not only have to play well, but keep two of it’s best and tallest players out of foul trouble.

Junior Jamar Tucker and freshman Kendaris Pelton, both at 6-foot-4, spent most of the first half during the Eagles previous contest against the Tigers on the bench. Tucker, a rebounding and blocking machine, picked up three fouls in the first four minutes of the game and Pelton, one of Goshen’s best shooters, followed Tucker to the bench with his third foul early in the second.

"We’ve got to protect them (Tucker and Pelton) a little better and keep them out of foul trouble," Lane said. "This time around we have a little more help beneath the basket with Jermaine Simmons (6-foot-7). We’ve got to create a lot of space for Jamar and Kendaris, but at the same time they’ve got to attack the basket."

Calhoun definitely has the quickness and athleticism to hang with the Eagles, a feat which many teams haven’t been able to accomplish this season.

"We’re just going to have to hit the easy baskets and our free throws," Lane said. "And we’re going to have to keep them from getting points in transition."

Tipoff for the two schools’ B-team games is set for 5 p.m. with the varsity girls and then boys following.