Kim Ji-hoo (188 cm, G) came into her own late.
Goyang Sono lost 87-92 to Anyang Jungkwanjang in a regular-season game of the 2023-2024 Korean Basketball League on Wednesday at the Anyang Jungkwanjang Arena.
With the loss, the eighth-ranked Sono dropped to 19-30 on the season and saw its five-game winning streak against Jeonggwanjang snapped.
In this match, SONO did not back down easily as they traded leads with Chung Kwan-jang from the first quarter. SONO’s offense was led by Kim Ji-hoo in the frontcourt and Chinanu Onuaku (206 cm, C) in the post.
Kim Ji-hoo in particular utilized her recent shooting touch to good effect in this game. Playing in a two-guard system with Lee Jeong-hyun (186 cm, G), Kim made two 3-pointers and converted three foul free throws in the first quarter, while also playing the outside with Sono’s main shooter, Jeon Sung-hyun (189 cm, F).
Kim was held to just one three-pointer in the second quarter, but she also contributed a rebound and an assist, doing the dirty work in a close game. When SONO’s main guard Lee Jung-hyun distracted Chung Kwan-jang’s defense with his ball-handling, Kim grabbed a rebound with a box-out through an open space and set up a three-pointer for Han Ho-bin (180 cm, G) with her vision.
After scoring 10 points in the first half alone, Kim was impressive in creating offense from the front with her play when Lee was blocked.
Kim’s true value came in the third quarter of the game. With 2:42 left in the third quarter, Kim took a pass from Choi Hyun-min and faked past Lens Abando before draining a three-pointer to tie the game.
After scoring eight points in the third quarter to fuel SONO’s offense, Kim was held scoreless in the fourth quarter and was unable to prevent her team from losing.
On the night, Kim finished with 18 points, two assists, and five rebounds in 29 minutes and 41 seconds of action. The 18 points were a season-high for Kim, as well as her most points since joining SONO.
Kim Ji-hoo joined SONO from Ulsan Hyundai Mobis before the season and was 스포츠토토 expected to be a sub to support the team’s main shooter, Jeon Sung-hyun. However, he struggled early in the season and did not receive much playing time.
Kim Ji-hoo was then given a chance to play as coach Kim Seung-ki’s choice after Jeon Sung-hyun was sidelined with a back injury, and she found confidence in her shot, scoring 10 points against Wonju DB on March 11. She also recorded three consecutive double-digit scoring games from March 28 against Seoul SK to this game.
With the playoffs all but out of reach, Sono’s rediscovery of Kim as a shooter gives them the option to utilize her as a new offensive option next season.
Fans are eager to see if Kim can improve his shot and establish himself as a key contributor to the team for the rest of the season.