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1/20/06

Perry-GlenOak not all about stars

Friday, January 20, 2006

By Chris Beaven REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER




Much of the focus tonight at a sold-out GlenOak High School will be placed on the two big guys.
That’s nothing new for GlenOak’s 7-foot-1 Kosta Koufos and Perry’s 6-11 Kenny Frease. Their play warrants plenty of attention.
But when their teams meet tonight at 7:30 in a key Federal League game, their coaches know this will be about more than their centers. It will be about two good teams trying to bounce back from a loss. And it will be a matchup of GlenOak’s dangerous offense against Perry’s fierce defense.
“GlenOak’s got a lot of weapons, and we’ve got to be prepared for all the different ones,” Perry head coach Rob Toth said.
The Golden Eagles (8-3) feature not only the high-scoring Koufos but also guard Errick McCollum and versatile forward Nate West.
Perry (8-2) counters with a defense that gives up 40 points a game. Frease anchors the Panthers inside, but Matt Kolic, Brent Wilson and Matt Ehmer are among their other tough defenders.
“They’re real scrappy,” GlenOak coach Jack Greynolds Jr. said. “They take a lot of charges. They get into you. It’s like Larry Wilson revisited.”
Wilson, Perry’s former coach, was known for teaching defense. Toth played and coached under Wilson.
In their last game, the Panthers limited Lakewood St. Edward to 37.8 percent shooting and forced 15 turnovers. However, their offensive shortcomings resulted in a 46-41 loss.
“We knew the Ed’s game would be a particularly good test,” Toth said. “They’re long, athletic, they’ve got a good bench, and they’re a top program year-in, year-out.”
Toth’s Panthers more than held their own against a team capable of a long tournament run. It just needs to shore up its offensive execution.
GlenOak is coming off Tuesday’s 74-70 loss to Massillon. The Eagles were in the game the entire way, getting 34 points from Koufos. But a tough first half and a two quick spurts by Massillon resulted in GlenOak’s third loss against a well-regarded team.
“We’ve shown we can play right there with top teams,” Greynolds said. “We have to take the next step and beat one of these teams.”
Koufos and Frease give both teams the potential to reach the next level.
Koufos, a junior being heavily recruited by many college heavyweights, averages 24 points a game. He is averaging 29.7 points and 14.7 rebounds over the last three games.
“He’s got a post man’s body, but he’s got perimeter skill,” Toth said. “ ... You don’t often see a guy his size with the ability to handle the ball and his shot outside. He’s got the whole package and streak of competitiveness.”
Frease, a sophomore, averages 16.6 points and 11.4 rebounds, and is drawing his share of college interest. He scored a career-high 29 two weeks ago.
“He’s improved a lot,” Greynolds said. “He’s a great college prospect, and he’s going to be a great high school player.”
Both coaches said their big men are not getting too wrapped up in the individual matchup.
“(Koufos) doesn’t talk about it,” Greynolds said. “He takes each game as it comes.”
Toth said Frease is aware the individual matchup takes a backseat to the game itself.
“It’s a good chance for him to ... see where he’s at as an individual,” Toth said, “but he knows it must be done within the concept of the team.”
Toth’s bigger concern is defending all of the Eagles. McCollum (15.2 points per game) and West (11.6) just as easily can beat Perry.
“Put them on another team and maybe they’re the stars,” Toth said. “ ... They’ve got a lot of weapons, and we’ve got to be prepared for all the different ones.” Reach Repository sports writer Chris Beaven at (330) 580-8345 or e-mail: chris.beaven@cantonrep.com