"One Game at a Time"
Took a game off from keeping followers up to speed on the Lumberjack TEAM. Conference play has began, students are beginning classes, and much work to be done. The TEAM has played well for several months now, but with games getting difficult WE will have nights where execution isn't as sharp as one would hope. Tonight's game against UTTC was a perfect example! Our TEAM did not have the intensity to compete possession after possession, plays were ran incorrectly, and fundamentally WE were sloppy. As a coach it is easy to evaluate the play as below average which can only mean as a coach I did not have the TEAM prepared to play our best basketball. When the dust settled WE were fortunate to stay undefeated at home with an 90-82 win.UTTC is a well coach team that plays a different style as they attempt to slow the game down. Their strategy was successful taking a 45-41 lead at the half as the game played into a slow pace. In the second half WE were able to create turnovers out of traps, play downhill both sides of the ball, and outscore UTTC 49-37 in the second half to get a victory. Overall the film will tell the tale of individuals who played a game concerned of individual statistics and lack of defensive prowess. A win is a win, but the locker room was not full of much cheer following this contest. I have faith, trust, and believe WE have the right players to rebound from a poor performance to compete at Williston State on Thursday evening.
Highlights:
Xavier Cruz - 16 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists
Jalyn Turner - 15 points, 8 rebounds
Julian Vasquez - 14 points, 9 rebounds
PREVIOUSLY
Last Thursday WE went on the road to compete at Bismarck State and came home with a huge conference road win 102-94. The TEAM played great basketball throughout the entire game by sharing the ball, executing actions, and worked at an uncommon level. The 1st half WE looked to push a double digit lead into half, but BSC closed out the final 5 minutes with a solid run to close the gap at 48-41. During the second half our TEAM extended the lead to 18 points as we appeared to be running away. Of course that was not the case as BSC climbed back into the game with perimeter shooting and attacking the rim to shoot 35 free throws while completing 29 successfully.
Although many players performed well vs BSC it was Julian Vasquez who stole the show by scoring 40 points with 26 of those coming in the second half. Vasquez was extremely hard to guard mixing up scoring opportunities from the block, mid-range, and knocking down 5 three pointers. He also gathered 8 rebounds along the way to help lead the TEAM to an important win.
Highlights:
Julian Vasquez - 40 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists
Jalyn Turner - 21 points, 3 rebounds
Gilberto Shojgreen - 10 points, 6 rebounds
Next Up
Thursday WE travel to Williston State to take on the Tetons who are having another successful year. Tonight was far from our greatest performance, but there are days when young players just don't quite have the right stuff. Most importantly WE must get back in the gym and continue to work on weaknesses. Whether we win or lose it is vital to remember any TEAM's main priority should be to play their greatest basketball in the month ahead.
Thank you for the support tonight. The Woodshed is always a great environment!
Get Jacked UP,
Cory Fehringer
