KENDALLVILLE – The Whitko boys basketball team came up just short in a 74-73 loss at East Noble Tuesday night.

The hosts led 28-20 after the opening period of play before the Wildcats used a 20-9 scoring edge in the second stanza to take a 40-37 halftime lead. The Knights came back to lead 57-54 after three quarters before holding on for the non-conference win.

Nate Walpole poured in 28 points to lead the way for the Wildcats.

River West scored 21 points and Devon Adkins had 16 points to go with seven rebounds. Tanner Gaff led the Wildcats on the glass with 12 rebounds.

Whitko, now 4-4, will play Kankakee Valley at 11 a.m. Dec. 29 in the Kankakee Valley Tournament. East Noble, now 5-2, will host Prairie Heights on Dec. 29.