HAMMOND | Even though he had little time to prepare, Wheeler's Kevin Barnes found his range Tuesday night.
The Bearcats senior edged Lake Central's Mike Miklusak 11-10 in the sudden-death playoff of the Times Roundball Rumble 3-point Shootout.
Barnes found out Monday afternoon that he was entered in the event, and he immediately tried to find practice time.
"My coach (Tom Johnson) called at 2 p.m. and said I was in it," Barnes said. "I went to the (Valparaiso) Y and they closed at 3. They were also closed (Tuesday).
"I was a little nervous. I just had to think about shooting 3s."
The strategy seemed to pay off at the Hammond Civic Center as Barnes scored 12 points in the first round, eight in the second then nine in the final round.
"I felt on my mark (in the first round)," Barnes said, "and that helped a little bit."
After tying Miklusak at 9, Barnes was fine with going first in the extra session.
"I like to set it," Barnes said.
Barnes hardly relaxed during Miklusak's attempt. Miklusak started slowly, but he hit his final three shots -- including the two-point money ball.
"I thought we were going to have to shoot again," Barnes said. "It was close."
The competition was close. Six players scored in double figures in the first two rounds. Whiting's Nick Filipek, who finished third overall, had the highest round total with 13 in the opening session.
Defending champion B.J. Jenkins of Merrillville missed the final round by a single point.
"I wasn't really sure what to think; I just knew I had to shoot," Barnes said, "It's great, because there were a lot of good 3-point shooters here."
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