Obama wraps up day with game of hoops

updated 11:16 p.m. ET April 25, 2008

KOKOMO, Ind. - For Barack Obama, figuring out how to cap a long campaign day in basketball-crazy Indiana was a no-brainer — you shoot some hoops.

After a noisy campaign rally, Obama donned sweat pants and a "USMC" shirt for a little action on the courts, with no ordinary companions. His 3-on-3 team included Alison Bales, a member of the WNBA's Indiana Fever.

Blake Hancock, a Marion high schooler was picked to take part in the game because he collected 150 voter registration forms, and he picked some high school friends and they joined Obama for about 15 minutes of half-court hoops.

Obama is noted for using basketball to get his exercise and is said to be a fierce competitor. He kept up with the younger competitors, but at one point joked with medics standing by that they might be needed.

And he proved to be effective, scoring four baskets that included a nifty left-handed three-pointer, along with four rebounds and a couple of steals.

In what he'll certainly interpret as a sign of things to come in Indiana — which is in the next round of primaries May 6 — Obama's team won 15-5.

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