A contest-within-the-contest played out Monday (Jan. 13) when the Wakefield Warriors hosted the Marshall Statesmen in Liberty District boys basketball action.
Wakefield won the physical, low-scoring, seesaw high-school clash, 35-34.
The game feature a battle-of-the-big men showdown between 6-foot-6 senior centers Kooper Odar of Wakefield and Anderson Krisko of Marshall.
They are the two tallest centers in the district, giving each team a big inside presence on each end of the court.
Both players are having strong seasons.
It was hard to determine if there was a winner of the Jan. 13 duel, because each compiled impactful statistics and standout moments.
Both led their teams in scoring. Krisko finished with 13 points, eight rebounds, two blocked shots and two assists. Odar had eight points, 10 rebounds, a block and one assist.
The game officials let the two play a bit, as they pushed and leaned on each other for much of the game.
The two got started early in the action. Odar gave Wakefield a 2-0 lead on an inside shot, with Krisko scoring Marshall’s first point on a free throw.
“Kooper has really improved so much for us this season. He didn’t play much last year,” Wakefield coach Tony Bentley told ARLnow. “We knew that would be a physical matchup between them.”
Marshall coach Jerry Lin pointed out how Krisko has been one of Marshall’s most consistent scorers, rebounders and players this season.
There will be at least one more battle between the Liberty’s big men this season. Marshall and Wakefield are scheduled to meet again on Friday, Jan. 24 at Marshall.
