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James Kinney

Cross City Rivalry to Be at Its Best Tonight
by Pat Benninger
February 29, 2008

There's nothing better than a cross town rivalry, especially when the game is full of Division I caliber players. What adds on to the excitement is when the teams split in the regular season but get a post season game to decide the series and eliminate their opponent...thus is the case tonight when the Maroons of Champaign Central take on the Champaign Centennial Chargers.

History
In their first matchup with season on January 11th, the Maroons went to Centennial and took care of business with a 73-51 victory. 21 days later, the Chargers revenged their loss in a 74-69 victories on Central's turf. Yes, both were conference games and "bragging rights" games but this is worth much more...this will determine the city's best 2007-08 team once and for all and will eliminate the other.

Personnel
The Maroons are led by Verdell Jones III, a senior that has narrowed his choices to Kentucky, Minnesota, and Tennessee. The slender 6'4" point guard is averaging better than 22 points per game and just under 10 assists and figures as one of the state's top players. He will be heavily counted on to provide leadership for his senior dominated team. He will be joined by 6'5" wing Donald Stewart and 6'6" 270 lbs Keith Biggers, who are also seniors. Together, the duo average better than 31 points and 13 rebounds per contest. 6'0" junior guard Zander Culver (5.5 ppg) has also stepped his level of play up in recent contests.

Centennial is led by 6'1" junior James Kinney, a heady guard that is both a scoring threat and a very good lead guard. In the first contest Kinney had 16 points but exploaded in their second contest, nearing a triple-double with 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists. He will be assisted by Bryson Johnson, a very quick point guard, 6'7" Jeff Johnson, and Tyron Smith, a physical guard that comes off the bench and also stars on the football field.

Key Factors
The Chargers will need to keep Biggers off the boards and play physical with him. Both teams are evenly matched when it comes to pushing the ball but if Central runs a halfcourt game and they get buckets inside early, Centennial could be in trouble. Also, James Kinney will need to have an, atleast, average shooting night. If his shot is not falling, he will need to find a way to get to the foul line as he is the biggest scoring threat in the Charger offense.

Central will need to keep Biggers out of foul trouble. He could be the difference maker. Jones and Stewart have played consistent all season and will need to play very poised to ensure a victory.

Final Projection
Who's projected to win this matchup? Though some could say Champaign Central looks much better on paper, the intensity and liveliness in the gym this evening will pretty much even the level of competition. This should be a very heated matchup and one of Central Illinois' most exciting games in the past few years! It's sure to be a classic!