Last night our Lumberjacks suffered a tough loss at home against a big, and strong UTTC team. The final score was 75-56, but I'm telling you the score does not indicate how close the game actually was throughout the contest. You may not even believe me when I tell you WE had the lead at halftime 34-32. Kristoff Walker had a sensational 1st half by scoring 21 points while going 10-12 from the field. Tyler Storseth drilled a corner 3 as time expired to give us an emotional lift and 2-point lead. Probably the worst thing that could've happened was the energy being halted by the halftime buzzer.
In the second half we lost the lead and the momentum due to the fact UTTC is exceptional in the half-court, and forces teams to play a methodical style of basketball. WE fell right into the trap. Eventually we would be put in a position to gamble by extended pressure to full-court, and allowed UTTC either easy lay-ups because they handled the pressure or fouls. Either way our main issue was not necessarily our defense or rebounding, but simply the fact the ball wouldn't go in the basket. Once again we shot 20% from the 3fg and less then 40% for the game. The right guys are taking the shots, and we are getting good looks. Knocking down shots is not always easy, but tough players are able to put the ball in the basket during tough moments.
With that being said, our TEAM showed signs of improving in areas which have been a concern for majority of the year. Guards valued the ball throughout the game allowing 12 turnovers, and made good decisions leading to 17 assists. Our assist to turnover ration has not been on the positive side for awhile, especially if you take into account several missed baskets as well. Giving up offensive rebounds has been just brutal, and last night we gave up 11 to a very BIG team but once again it was better than we did previously. Right now all we can be focused on is how do we improve each day. WE must stop discussing what the problem is and do a better job of emphasizing what is our solution.
Player Stats:
Kristoff Walker - 25 points and 4 assists
Billy Engel - 9 assists and 5 rebounds
Marquis Thomas - 10 points and 4 rebounds
Two goals this TEAM must strive to meet:
1. Be a greater TEAM today than WE were yesterday
2. Be a greater TEAMMATE today than I was yesterday
Our attitude and effort is all that we can control right now.
Thanks to those who came out and supported our TEAM.
"Without pain there is no pleasure. Without valleys there are no mountaintops. Without struggle there is no achievement."
Let's get JACKED UP,
Coach Fehringer
