When guys and gals from competing companies or businesses get together, they tend to make fun of everyone else in that industry.
I don’t care if it’s in banking (did you hear Frank at NMS lost that big potato account to Joe from WDP?), fashion (I heard that new blue suede top with the pink accents turned out as a total flop at retail!) or journalism.
For folks in media covering sports, well, we make fun of one another for a lot of reasons, but one that’s always stood out is how we’ll make fun of another dude’s questions at a press conference.
Let me paint the picture. Press conferences are a common thing. You see them all the time on TV with a coach or player staring out at a field of tape recorders and cameras while being peppered with questions on the game, practice, whatever.
Something that’s apparent after a year doing this sports writing gig is that every reporter — whether they’re from print, radio or television — thinks they ask the best questions, and we love to make fun of what some other idiot asked during a presser.
You’ll hear things like, ‘Man, I had to carry that press conference today, because Guy X was asking the worst questions.” Or, “I can’t stand covering a press conference with him, he asks the longest, most drawn-out questions possible. His questions are longer than the answers!”
But I’ve really tried to stay away from making fun of other reporter’s in this area, and it’s not because I’m above that petty sort of thing. It’s more that I’m the one everybody else should mimic in distaste.
It’s not that I’m long-winded, but mine consistently stink. Think of it this way: My queries are like Christian Ponder at quarterback — generally underwhelming.
With that as a backdrop, I bring you the story of the time I asked the worst question of my career.
Saturday evening, Shelley holds on with a final defensive stand to knock off Fruitland 17-14, and the Russets claim a second consecutive 3A state football championship in a wacky game with nine combined turnovers.
Neither team played well offensively, but attribute most of that mediocrity to each squad’s defense. Together, the Grizzlies and Russets gave up a total of 23.58 points a contest and each recorded three shutouts during the season. Shocking how the old adage “defense win championships” rings true year after year.
Anyway, it was an emotional rematch from last season’s state title clash (which the Russets won 37-10). On the field afterward media members gathered around the winning coach, Shelley’s Travis Hobson.
Hobson lost his mother earlier this year and had been emotional all day. “I balled like a girl pregame,” he said. “I told my dad and brother. ‘... We better dial mom up; we’re going to need her help here.’”
Literally right after that comment, a sentence where a big, burley coach revealed a tender side, I asked a historically stupid question. Think of my question and grimace the way Cowboy fans do when Tony Romo tosses another killer interception late in a game.
Me: “Was this your worst game of the year?”
What kind of question is that? Seriously. It isn’t nuanced, open ended or even useful. How should a coach respond to that?
Here’s what Hobson said: “How do we win a state title playing the worst game of the year? Franko, c’mon, for real? That was an awesome game.”
Uh, yeah it was coach. It was a spectacular game where Shelley led 17-7 at half and Fruitland rallied to nearly upset the Russets. The high stakes and all the turnovers made for an epic battle between the two premiere 3A programs in Idaho.
And the first question to spring from my lips is basically asking to assess how poorly you played? I’m lucky Hobson is a good guy and didn’t body slam me to the turf in Holt Arena.
I’m not about to defend what I asked. But I will explain what I was going for. You see, Shelley beat every 3A team its faced this season (before Fruitland) by at least 12 points and by an average of 25.
I’d seen the Russets manhandle a dang-good Snake River squad in person and considering what Hobson’s players had done to Fruitland in last season’s title game, I expected more of the same Saturday, especially after Shelley scored 17 straight in the first half to open up a 10-point lead.
The Russets are just better than everybody else at the 3A level. Hobson won’t tell you that, but I can. So it was just ... weird to watch Shelley struggle. Fruitland deserves a ton of credit for that. The Grizzlies played well.
But for the last two years, Shelley has crushed its opponents’ souls. I just wanted to know how Fruitland managed to hang for 48 minutes.
What I really need is to improve my interviewing game. So football coaches, know this: Before the 2014 season rolls around I’m headed to the film room. Expect marked improvement next year.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Monday, November 25, 2013
Idaho State at Cal State Bakersfield post-game blog
Bakersfield 71, Idaho State 69
For ISU Sports Information's game recap, click here.For the Bakersfield Californian's game recap (from Cal State's perspective), click here (there's a number of photos from the game, too. Oh, and one of the shots has a caption labeling Andre Hatchett as Ayibakuro Preh, always fun! -- Not that I should make fun of another newspaper's errors. The first time I wrote Jeffrey Solarin's name in the Idaho State Journal, his first name was Jeffery, not Jeffrey. Soooo, yeah.)
Star of the game: I should make something clear. I did not watch or listen to the game last Saturday as I was busy covering high school football championship games. I plan to listen to a radio broadcast of the game here and you can, too, if you missed it.
Back to star of the game ... Tomas Sanchez, Chris Hansen and Andre Hatchett all played well in the loss. They combined to score 50 of ISU's 69 points. And Hatchett had a second consecutive double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. But let's go with freshman Scotty Tyler, who posted eight points and five rebounds in 21 minutes of action off the bench (Tyler also had three of ISU's 18 turnovers).
Tyler's importance on the team became abundantly clear when both Andre Slavik and Ben Wilson were ruled ineligible for this season by the NCAA. And when Ajak Magot went down with a foot injury in the exhibition game against Dickinson State, Tyler was slotted into the role of first-big-guy-off-the-bench.
Magot should be back around the time conference play starts in January, but Tyler's ability (or inability) to contribute quality minutes for the Bengals will go a long way to determining their success (or non-success) this season. He's a talented kid with 3-point range, good size (he's listed at 6-foot-7) and a heady sense for the game.
On another note, freshman Justin Smith recorded the first start of his career at Idaho State. Statistically at least, it was a rough one. Smith was 1-of-7 from the floor for two points. This kid is a stud with a bright, bright future at ISU. I bring this up only to point out that Jeffrey Solarin (the regular starter) did not make the trip to Bakersfield because he violated a team rule.
Idaho State is off until Dec. 6 when the Bengals host Carroll College. Solarin's status by that time (or far sooner for that matter) should be fine.
Reason for concern: Bakersfield shot 50 percent from the floor (24-for-48) and the Roadrunners nailed 10 3-pointers. So far, Idaho State's three Division I opponents are hitting 48.6 percent of their shots from the floor and all three have made at least 10 3-pointers (ASU had 12 and USF drained 17).
Keep the amount of 3-pointers allowed in perspective, though, because ISU plays zone virtually 100 percent of the time. A bigger worry is that the Bengals' field-goal percentage defense (throwing out the opener against Evergreen) ranks in the bottom third of the Big Sky Conference.
Granted, all three of those games were on the road. Arizona State is receiving votes in the latest Associated Press top 25, San Francisco rebounded from its defeat to Idaho State to knock off Montana in Missoula and Cal State Bakersfield is 4-1 overall with wins that include Sacramento State and Nevada.
Reason for positivity: First, I should mention that I know "positivity" isn't a word. Moving on ... while Idaho State's opponents have been converting an alarming rate of their field-goal opportunities, the Bengals have been significantly better in one area this season (so far) — turnovers. In that article from Bakersfield, Calif., that I linked to at the top of this blog post (and I'll link again here because it's worth a read for some of the quotes from Cal State Bakersfield's players), senior guard Zach Lamb said, in regard to ISU's defense, "It was one of the weirdest defenses I've played against. We never knew what they would do. Technically it was a 2-3, but they were all over the court. ... We got frustrated."
That's a pretty revealing quote. Bakersfield finished with a season-high 21 turnovers and Idaho State scored 21 points off those giveaways. The sample size is small, but ISU leads the Big Sky Conference with 10.8 steals a game.
During the preseason, head coach Bill Evans and the Bengals spent a considerable amount of time working on a zone trap in the corner. It's something Evans said his teams at Southern Utah did all the time, but Idaho State stayed away from it a year ago.
In general, the Bengals have cranked up the defensive intensity and that's created a bit of havoc. It's (likely) leading to the higher field-goal percentage on defense but it's also leading to more opportunities in the open court.
Idaho State vs Bakersfield
11/23/13 7 p.m. at Bakersfield, CA (Icardo Center)
At Bakersfield, CA (Icardo Center)
BAKERSFIELD 71, IDAHO STATE 69
IDAHO STATE (2-2)
HANSEN, Chris 5-13 6-6 19; HATCHETT, Andre 7-14 3-4 17; SANCHEZ, Tomas 5-14
2-2 14; TYLER, Scotty 3-5 2-2 8; HALL, Evann 2-6 2-3 6; PREH, Ayibakuro 0-0
3-4 3; SMITH, Justin 1-7 0-0 2; SOLARIN, Jeffrey 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 23-59
18-21 69.
BAKERSFIELD (4-1)
Maynor, Javonte 7-11 0-0 21; Barnes, Brandon 5-11 3-3 13; Lamb, Zach 4-7 0-0
10; Ahmed, Abdul 3-5 1-2 7; Hall, Corey 2-2 2-3 6; Grayson, Issiah 2-5 1-2
6; Corbin, Tyrell 0-1 3-4 3; Kinney, Erik 0-0 3-4 3; Johnson, Stefon 1-5 0-2
2; Smith, Zech 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 24-48 13-20 71.
Idaho State................... 36 33 - 69
Bakersfield................... 43 28 - 71
3-point goals--Idaho State 5-15 (HANSEN, Chris 3-5; SANCHEZ, Tomas 2-5;
TYLER, Scotty 0-1; HALL, Evann 0-1; SMITH, Justin 0-2; HATCHETT, Andre 0-1),
Bakersfield 10-21 (Maynor, Javonte 7-10; Lamb, Zach 2-4; Grayson, Issiah
1-3; Johnson, Stefon 0-1; Barnes, Brandon 0-3). Fouled out--Idaho
State-None, Bakersfield-None. Rebounds--Idaho State 38 (HATCHETT, Andre 11),
Bakersfield 29 (Johnson, Stefon 8). Assists--Idaho State 13 (SANCHEZ, Tomas
5), Bakersfield 17 (Johnson, Stefon 5; Grayson, Issiah 5). Total
fouls--Idaho State 18, Bakersfield 20. Technical fouls--Idaho State-None,
Bakersfield-None. A-1334
Flagrant Foul 1 called against Tomas Sanchez of ISU at 9:51 of second half.
Idaho State vs Bakersfield
11/23/13 7 p.m. at Bakersfield, CA (Icardo Center)
At Bakersfield, CA (Icardo Center)
BAKERSFIELD 71, IDAHO STATE 69
IDAHO STATE (2-2)
HANSEN, Chris 5-13 6-6 19; HATCHETT, Andre 7-14 3-4 17; SANCHEZ, Tomas 5-14
2-2 14; TYLER, Scotty 3-5 2-2 8; HALL, Evann 2-6 2-3 6; PREH, Ayibakuro 0-0
3-4 3; SMITH, Justin 1-7 0-0 2; SOLARIN, Jeffrey 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 23-59
18-21 69.
BAKERSFIELD (4-1)
Maynor, Javonte 7-11 0-0 21; Barnes, Brandon 5-11 3-3 13; Lamb, Zach 4-7 0-0
10; Ahmed, Abdul 3-5 1-2 7; Hall, Corey 2-2 2-3 6; Grayson, Issiah 2-5 1-2
6; Corbin, Tyrell 0-1 3-4 3; Kinney, Erik 0-0 3-4 3; Johnson, Stefon 1-5 0-2
2; Smith, Zech 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 24-48 13-20 71.
Idaho State................... 36 33 - 69
Bakersfield................... 43 28 - 71
3-point goals--Idaho State 5-15 (HANSEN, Chris 3-5; SANCHEZ, Tomas 2-5;
TYLER, Scotty 0-1; HALL, Evann 0-1; SMITH, Justin 0-2; HATCHETT, Andre 0-1),
Bakersfield 10-21 (Maynor, Javonte 7-10; Lamb, Zach 2-4; Grayson, Issiah
1-3; Johnson, Stefon 0-1; Barnes, Brandon 0-3). Fouled out--Idaho
State-None, Bakersfield-None. Rebounds--Idaho State 38 (HATCHETT, Andre 11),
Bakersfield 29 (Johnson, Stefon 8). Assists--Idaho State 13 (SANCHEZ, Tomas
5), Bakersfield 17 (Johnson, Stefon 5; Grayson, Issiah 5). Total
fouls--Idaho State 18, Bakersfield 20. Technical fouls--Idaho State-None,
Bakersfield-None. A-1334
Flagrant Foul 1 called against Tomas Sanchez of ISU at 9:51 of second half.
Friday, November 22, 2013
Off a big win, Idaho State men's basketball ready to move on
 |
| Idaho State Journal |
Was Idaho State’s three-point overtime victory at San Francisco last Monday a harbinger of what’s to come?
Chris Hansen poured in 33 points in 40 minutes — a career high.
Tomas Sanchez directed a Bengals’ offense that slapped a big 93 on the scoreboard, more points than they had recorded in a single game all last season, and the senior point guard set a career-high with 24 points.
Andre Hatchett put up 20 points — not a career high — but he did grab 12 rebounds. And, yes, you guessed it, that’s a career high.
Idaho State (2-1) beat San Francisco (2-2) on its home floor after watching a five-point lead dissipate in the last two and a half minutes of regulation.
Idaho State beat San Francisco, a team picked fourth in the West Coast Conference preseason polls, and that was after the Dons led 90-86 with less than two minutes left in overtime.
Idaho State beat San Francisco, ending a 22-game road nonconference losing stretch that dated back to November of 2009, and a 13-game winless streak to nonconference Division I opponents.
It’s the kind of win the Bengals fouled up a year ago, especially on the road. In 2012-13, head coach Bill Evans’ first season, ISU finished 1-14 away from Holt Arena.
In Hatchett’s first three years wearing orange and black, the earliest ISU won a game away from Pocatello came in late December. In the same time frame, the Bengals went 5-41 on the road.
“I’d be lying saying it doesn’t feel good,” Hatchett said.
But, according to Evans, now is the time for perspective.
“You can jump up and down for about five minutes,” he said. “... We need to move on.”
The Bengals are moving on because the USF game is one of 29 on the schedule, and Big Sky Conference action is just over a month away.
Upsetting the Dons was a big win, Hatchett said, but for a program that does not have a player on its roster with a Big Sky postseason tournament victory, it’s — hopefully — a (winning) feeling they can repeat.
“It’s a stepping stone, I guess you could say,” Hatchett said.
And maybe it’s a building block to a foundation of winning basketball. Hansen said the only way the Bengals found a way in San Francisco was through pure and simple toughness.
“We made the plays that experienced teams make instead of having a costly turnover or not getting a rebound,” he said.
In the end, Idaho State’s upset on the night of Nov. 18 will be looked at with the aid of 20-20 hindsight vision. If the Bengals barge forward from this point and exceed lowly preseason expectations, it will come from the confidence gained in an early-season win on the road.
But if ISU stumbles and finds itself at the bottom of the Big Sky standings, that USF victory will sit as an early-season upset with a collective, “What the heck happened to the Dons when they played the Bengals?”
Check back in March for the answers to those questions. Now is the time for Idaho State to worry about game No. 4 of the season.
ISU plays Cal State Bakersfield at the Icardo Center in Bakersfield, Calif., at 8 p.m. tonight.
The Roadrunners are 3-1 overall and have beaten Big Sky opponent Sacramento State 74-66 Nov. 13.
Idaho State is averaging 84 points while Bakersfield has not allowed an opponent to reach 67 in a single game.
“They’re good defensively, very good defensively; way better defensively than some of the teams we’ve played,” Evans said.
It will be the first of two meetings this season. Bakersfield visits Pocatello Dec. 28.
Listen to the game live on 930 AM or 102.5 FM.
NOTES: Idaho State is 1-2 all time against Cal State Bakersfield. The last Bengal victory came in the 1976-77 season at home, an 88-73 win. ... ISU’s Chris Hansen is fifth in the Big Sky scoring at 18.3 points per game. Three Bengals are in the top 20.
5A state championship info
Highland and Coeur
d’Alene play at the Kibbie Dome in Moscow today (Friday, Nov. 22) at 8 p.m. MST for the 5A state championship.
Check out the Idaho State Journal's coverage with the links below.
Highland-CdA game preview by Josh Friesen
Highland's elite kicking game by Josh Friesen
Brothers in arms: Tommy and Neil Jewell make Highland football a family affair by Chase Glorfield
Highland-CdA game preview by Mark Nelke of the the Coeur d' Alene Press
Can't make it to the game? Watch CdA vs Highland here:http://www.idahosports.com/gamestreams/default.aspx …
Listen here: …http://socialstreamingplayer.crystalmedianetworks.com/radio/kouuam
Check out the Idaho State Journal's coverage with the links below.
Highland-CdA game preview by Josh Friesen
Highland's elite kicking game by Josh Friesen
Brothers in arms: Tommy and Neil Jewell make Highland football a family affair by Chase Glorfield
Highland-CdA game preview by Mark Nelke of the the Coeur d' Alene Press
Can't make it to the game? Watch CdA vs Highland here:http://www.idahosports.com/gamestreams/default.aspx …
Listen here: …http://socialstreamingplayer.crystalmedianetworks.com/radio/kouuam
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Football championship preview: Rams, Russets and Pirates all play for state titles
5A championship
Highland (11-0) vs. Coeur d’Alene (8-3), 8 p.m. Friday at the Kibbie Dome, Moscow
Highland: The Rams overcame the semifinal hurdle of the past four seasons and beat up the Rocky Mountain Grizzlies 24-6 to advance to the Rams first title game since 2008.
Highland held the state’s highest-scoring offense to six points and 287 total yards, and senior running back Thad Hansen kept up a torrid scoring pace with two touchdowns (and 84 yards rushing) on the ground and another score on a pass from quarterback Tommy Jewell.
Hansen has 22 total touchdowns this year, one behind the fourth-best single-season mark of all time at Highland.
Coeur d’Alene: The Vikings have won seven straight since losing to Highland 24-21 at Holt Arena Sept. 21.
Coeur d’Alene has done it with a powerful offense that’s averaged 47 points a game and a stifling defense that has not given up more than 14 points since the defeat to the Rams.
While Highland dispatched Rocky Mountain, Coeur d’Alene took apart Capital in a snowstorm 42-14. The Vikings led 34-7 at the half and racked up 397 rushing yards on 51 carries.
3A championship
Fruitland (10-1) vs. Shelley (10-1), 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Holt Arena
Fruitland: The good news for Grizzly fans: Fruitland is into the 3A state championship game for the eighth-straight season after upsetting Homedale on the road 30-29.
The bad news for Grizzly fans: Fruitland has to play Shelley for the state title.
The Russets defeated the Grizzlies for the 3A championship in 2012 (final score of 37-10), 2009 (25-14) and 2007 (19-13) by an average margin of two touchdowns.
Shelley: Since dropping back down to the 3A classification for the 2012 season, Shelley has outscored its seven postseason opponents 288-51. That includes last season’s 27-point victory against the Grizzlies for the title.
And just like a year ago, Shelley had to go through Gooding for a spot in the title game. Last Saturday, the Russets defeated the Senators through force of will.
The teams were nearly identical in rushing yards (Shelley had 172 yards to Gooding’s 171), but Shelley quarterback Kaden Schmitt threw for 254 yards and four touchdowns as the Russets opened up a 18-point, fourth-quarter lead.
2A championship
West Side (10-1) vs. Declo (9-2), 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Holt Arena
Declo: Since losing to Wendell 7-6 early in October, the 2A defending state champions have reeled off six-straight victories.
The Hornets used that midseason loss to reevaluate and they moved two offensive starters from skill positions to the offensive line.
The end result? Declo is in its fourth state title game in the last six seasons after walloping Wendell 35-13 last weekend at Holt Arena.
West Side: Firth outgained West Side 294 to 207 and the Pirates lost the turnover battle 2-0 in last Saturday’s 2A semifinal matchup.
Yet, West Side prevailed in overtime to defeat Firth 24-18. Trevor Montes scored twice in the fourth quarter — one score via a 90-yard kickoff return — to knot the game at 18 and force the extra period.
And in the Kansas City style overtime, Montes sprinted 10 yards to the end zone to end Firth’s season and catapult the Pirates into their first title game since 2010.
5A
Highland vs. Coeur d’Alene
Kibbie Dome, Moscow, 8 p.m.
4A
Skyview vs. Bishop Kelly
BSU Stadium, Boise, 7:30 p.m.
1A DII
Council vs. Salmon River
BSU Stadium, Boise 5 p.m.
Saturday’s Games
3AFruitland vs. Shelley
Holt Arena, 2:30 p.m.
2A
Declo vs. West Side
Holt Arena, 5 p.m.
1DI
Troy vs. Hagerman
Holt Arena, Noon
Highland (11-0) vs. Coeur d’Alene (8-3), 8 p.m. Friday at the Kibbie Dome, Moscow
Highland: The Rams overcame the semifinal hurdle of the past four seasons and beat up the Rocky Mountain Grizzlies 24-6 to advance to the Rams first title game since 2008.
Highland held the state’s highest-scoring offense to six points and 287 total yards, and senior running back Thad Hansen kept up a torrid scoring pace with two touchdowns (and 84 yards rushing) on the ground and another score on a pass from quarterback Tommy Jewell.
Hansen has 22 total touchdowns this year, one behind the fourth-best single-season mark of all time at Highland.
Coeur d’Alene: The Vikings have won seven straight since losing to Highland 24-21 at Holt Arena Sept. 21.
Coeur d’Alene has done it with a powerful offense that’s averaged 47 points a game and a stifling defense that has not given up more than 14 points since the defeat to the Rams.
While Highland dispatched Rocky Mountain, Coeur d’Alene took apart Capital in a snowstorm 42-14. The Vikings led 34-7 at the half and racked up 397 rushing yards on 51 carries.
3A championship
Fruitland (10-1) vs. Shelley (10-1), 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Holt Arena
Fruitland: The good news for Grizzly fans: Fruitland is into the 3A state championship game for the eighth-straight season after upsetting Homedale on the road 30-29.
The bad news for Grizzly fans: Fruitland has to play Shelley for the state title.
The Russets defeated the Grizzlies for the 3A championship in 2012 (final score of 37-10), 2009 (25-14) and 2007 (19-13) by an average margin of two touchdowns.
Shelley: Since dropping back down to the 3A classification for the 2012 season, Shelley has outscored its seven postseason opponents 288-51. That includes last season’s 27-point victory against the Grizzlies for the title.
And just like a year ago, Shelley had to go through Gooding for a spot in the title game. Last Saturday, the Russets defeated the Senators through force of will.
The teams were nearly identical in rushing yards (Shelley had 172 yards to Gooding’s 171), but Shelley quarterback Kaden Schmitt threw for 254 yards and four touchdowns as the Russets opened up a 18-point, fourth-quarter lead.
2A championship
West Side (10-1) vs. Declo (9-2), 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Holt Arena
Declo: Since losing to Wendell 7-6 early in October, the 2A defending state champions have reeled off six-straight victories.
The Hornets used that midseason loss to reevaluate and they moved two offensive starters from skill positions to the offensive line.
The end result? Declo is in its fourth state title game in the last six seasons after walloping Wendell 35-13 last weekend at Holt Arena.
West Side: Firth outgained West Side 294 to 207 and the Pirates lost the turnover battle 2-0 in last Saturday’s 2A semifinal matchup.
Yet, West Side prevailed in overtime to defeat Firth 24-18. Trevor Montes scored twice in the fourth quarter — one score via a 90-yard kickoff return — to knot the game at 18 and force the extra period.
And in the Kansas City style overtime, Montes sprinted 10 yards to the end zone to end Firth’s season and catapult the Pirates into their first title game since 2010.
Championship games
Friday’s Games5A
Highland vs. Coeur d’Alene
Kibbie Dome, Moscow, 8 p.m.
4A
Skyview vs. Bishop Kelly
BSU Stadium, Boise, 7:30 p.m.
1A DII
Council vs. Salmon River
BSU Stadium, Boise 5 p.m.
Saturday’s Games
3AFruitland vs. Shelley
Holt Arena, 2:30 p.m.
2A
Declo vs. West Side
Holt Arena, 5 p.m.
1DI
Troy vs. Hagerman
Holt Arena, Noon
ISU's Hansen named Co-Big Sky player of the week
Montana’s Kareem Jamar and Idaho State’s Chris Hansen have been named Co-Big Sky Conference Men’s Basketball Players of the Week for games played between Nov. 12-18.
Hansen, a 6-4 junior wing from Fort Collins, Colo., averaged 20.5 points, two assists and two rebounds per game as Idaho State earned a road split against Arizona State and San Francisco.
Hansen poured in a career-high 33 points with four rebounds, four assists and a steal on Monday night as Idaho State upset San Francisco 93-90 in overtime. It was Idaho State’s first non-conference road victory against a Division I team since November of 2009. Hansen made 12-of-20 shots from the floor, including 5-of-11 from 3-point range.
Hansen, a 6-4 junior wing from Fort Collins, Colo., averaged 20.5 points, two assists and two rebounds per game as Idaho State earned a road split against Arizona State and San Francisco.
Hansen poured in a career-high 33 points with four rebounds, four assists and a steal on Monday night as Idaho State upset San Francisco 93-90 in overtime. It was Idaho State’s first non-conference road victory against a Division I team since November of 2009. Hansen made 12-of-20 shots from the floor, including 5-of-11 from 3-point range.
Monday, November 18, 2013
Idaho State at San Francisco post-game blog
Idaho State 93, San Francisco 90, OT
For the Journal's game recap, click here.Star of the game: It's a three-way split between Chris Hansen, Andre Hatchett and Tomas Sanchez. These are the big three for Idaho State, guys head coach Bill Evans needs to lead his team. Now we've seen what the Bengals are capable of on a night when they all play well.
(San Francisco, by the way, was favored over Idaho State by 15.5 to 16 points.)
Hansen set a new career high with 33 points. Sanchez had a career-high 24 and he added five assists (the one caveat is that Sanchez coughed the ball up four times. But some of that is results from a point guard who's playing 38 minutes and is expected to direct the offense in half-court sets and push the Bengals' tempo in the open court) and Hatchett tied his career high of 20 by hitting 14 of his 21 free-throw attempts. Plus, Hatchett led Idaho State with 12 boards which helped the Bengals keep the rebounding margin close (as a team, USF grabbed 41 boards and ISU had 37).
Other star of the game: Idaho State's resiliency. Evans brought it up several times in his postgame radio interview with Tim Lewis, the Bengals had to dig deep to end a 22-game nonconference road losing streak (shout out to the ISU Sports Information staff for that stat). They had a big lead early (25-13), only to watch that disappear after a 21-3 Dons' run.
And ISU lost a four-point lead with 1:36 left in regulation.Yet, with the big three hitting shots, the Bengals getting to the foul line and USF refusing to shoot anything but a 3-pointer, Idaho State found a way. That's a savvy, tough win on the road. Who knows if it leads to more wins in the Big Sky (Idaho State still has its issues with depth), but it appears like a major step forward for a program coming off a six-win season.
Idaho State vs San Francisco
11/18/13 7:00 p.m. at San Francisco, CA (Memorial Gymnasium)
At San Francisco, CA (Memorial Gymnasium)
IDAHO STATE 93, SAN FRANCISCO 90
IDAHO STATE (2-1)
HANSEN, Chris 12-20 4-4 33; SANCHEZ, Tomas 7-13 7-10 24; HATCHETT, Andre 3-9
14-21 20; SOLARIN, Jeffrey 4-9 0-0 8; TYLER, Scotty 2-2 0-0 4; HALL, Evann
1-5 0-0 2; PREH, Ayibakuro 1-2 0-0 2; SMITH, Justin 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 30-60
25-35 93.
SAN FRANCISCO (2-2)
ADAMS. Chris 7-12 0-0 21; TOLLEFSEN, Mark 7-11 2-4 18; PINKINS, Kruize 6-6
2-5 14; DOOLIN, Cody 5-12 0-0 13; HOLMES, Avry 4-13 0-0 10; DICKERSON, Cole
3-11 0-0 8; GLOVER, Matt 2-4 1-3 6; DERKSEN, Tim 0-3 0-0 0; HILLIARD, Corey
0-1 0-0 0. Totals 34-73 5-12 90.
Idaho State................... 39 43 11 - 93
San Francisco................. 44 38 8 - 90
3-point goals--Idaho State 8-15 (HANSEN, Chris 5-11; SANCHEZ, Tomas 3-3;
HALL, Evann 0-1), San Francisco 17-46 (ADAMS. Chris 7-12; DOOLIN, Cody 3-8;
HOLMES, Avry 2-10; DICKERSON, Cole 2-7; TOLLEFSEN, Mark 2-5; GLOVER, Matt
1-2; DERKSEN, Tim 0-1; HILLIARD, Corey 0-1). Fouled out--Idaho
State-SANCHEZ, Tomas, San Francisco-GLOVER, Matt; HOLMES, Avry.
Rebounds--Idaho State 37 (HATCHETT, Andre 12), San Francisco 41 (TOLLEFSEN,
Mark 11). Assists--Idaho State 14 (SANCHEZ, Tomas 5), San Francisco 21
(DOOLIN, Cody 6). Total fouls--Idaho State 15, San Francisco 22. Technical
fouls--Idaho State-None, San Francisco-None. A-1262
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Previewing high school girls basketball in the 5th District
After a banner 2012-13 season, high school girls basketball returns with a handful of games across eastern Idaho tonight.
Century is coming off a 4A state title game appearance, and the Diamondbacks greatest rival, the Pocatello Indians, return three starters from a team that surprised the state with a third-place finish.
The Highland Rams came oh-so-excruciatingly close to a state title game appearance, losing by one point to the eventual champs (Post Falls) in the semifinals before rebounding for a third-place trophy.
In the 3A ranks, the Snake River Panthers survived Parma in the semifinals and then rolled Filer in the state championship.
Like Highland, Century and Pocatello, Soda Springs falls into the what-could-have-been category from last year’s state tournament. The Cardinals’ first loss to a 2A opponent came in the championship game, a 45-40 defeat to North Fremont.
And in 1A D1 and 1A DII, both Grace and Rockland fell in third-place games.
All those results are nothing but history from this point forward.
In the 5th District, there are two new coaches taking over programs (Pocatello and North Gem) and eight teams appear in the preseason media poll.
Where anyone goes from here is hard to say, and there’s no point guessing because we’ll learn all the final answers in February during the Basketball Dairy Shoot Out.
Let the games begin.
(These capsules were compiled with the help of my coworker Josh Friesen, and we included a capsule for Shelley even though the Russets reside in the 6th District.)
Coach: Tony Green, fourth year
Record last year: 22-3, placed third at state
Starters returning/lost: 2/3
Reason for optimism: This year’s squad is a different team, and coach Tony Green has adjusted. The Rams will dial back the relentless press — but you can be sure they will still press — and they might even play a little zone. Timmie Bowie is back for her senior year and so is Makenzie Van Sickle and others. Talent has not vacated Highland’s gym.
Reason for pessimism: Rebounding. Highland lost its top three rebounders from last season, and they lack the depth of year’s past.
Players to watch: G Makenzie Van Sickle, Sr.; G Timmie Bowie, Sr.; F Reece Bauer, Sr.; F Katie Denney, Sr.; F Maren Herrud, Jr.
Coach: Chris Shuler, fifth year
Record last year: 17-8, placed second at state
Starters returning/lost: 3/2
Reason for optimism: Team chemistry. It’s a varsity group that has played together for a long time, and, yeah, it helps that there’s plenty of talent back for the defending 4A 5th District champs who are coming off of a state championship game appearance.
Reason for pessimism: While three starters are back it’s the two who are gone that’s a concern, especially the departed Rowan Keller who guarded the opposition’s best player every game, practically regardless of position. Who will fill that thankless role?
Players to watch: G Sarah Holt, Jr.; G Rian Rawlings, So.; F Kylee Casper, Jr.; G Aliea Son, Jr.; F Lindsey Smoot, Jr.; C Henny Hearn, Jr.
Pocatello Indians
Coach: Brock Gunter, first year
Record last year: 17-9, third place at state
Starters returning/lost: 3/2
Reason for optimism: With offseason turmoil surrounding the loss of their last head coach, the Indians are just ready to play basketball, and the three starters back, Carly Parker, Paige Durrant and Brooke Pierce, from last season’s third-place squad provide Pocatello a solid base to start from.
Reason for pessimism: Beyond the starters, Pocatello lacks depth, and the continuing saga on the Indians’ former head coach only serves to distract the players.
Players to watch: G Carly Parker, Jr.; G Paige Durrant, Sr.; G/F Brooke Pierce, Sr.; F Heather Waldemar, Sr.
Preston Indians
Coach: Belinda Taylor, second year
Record last year: 3-19
Starters returning/lost: 2/3
Reason for optimism: The Indians have a large contingent of last year’s 18-2 junior varsity squad making the jump to varsity this year. Seven players from Preston's successful JV team will be varsity contributors.
Reason for pessimism: While the talent is there, the varsity experience is small. Senior Brittney Parker, who started last season, will not be on the floor because of an ACL injury she suffered over the summer.
Players to watch: F Alexa VanVleet, Sr.; F Shania Carlisle, Jr.
Coach: Tyler Shafer, second year
Record last year: 8-13
Starters returning/lost: 3/2
Reason for optimism: With Lindsey Woodworth and Maria Sanchez, second-year head coach Tyler Shafer has the backcourt to run, run and run. The Beavers can score.
Reason for pessimism: American Falls’ backcourt is a strength and the frontcourt is, well, Shafer isn’t sure yet. His forwards and posts are young and inexperienced.
Players to watch: G Lindsey Woodworth, Sr.; G Maria Sanchez, Sr.; F Sammie Neaman, Jr.
Bear Lake Bears
Coach: Brian Nate, second year
Record last year: 5-11
Starters returning/lost: 2/3
Reason for optimism: In coach Brian Nate’s second season, the players have adjusted to his program, and with BreiAnna Grunig and Kirsten Stevens in the frontcourt the Bears have a solid foundation for defense and rebounding. Plus, Nate hopes he has the outside shooting to help his posts on offense by spreading the floor.
Reason for pessimism: With Snake River, Marsh Valley and American Falls, the 3A 5th District is brutal, and Nate’s shooters on the perimeter are unproven to this point.
Players to watch: F BreiAnna Grunig, Jr.; C Kirsten Stevens, Jr.
Marsh Valley Eagles
Coach: Kyle McQuivey, eighth year
Record last year: 19-6, lost state consolation game
Starters returning/lost: 0/5
Reason for optimism: Two years removed from a state championship and an undefeated season, coach Kyle McQuivey has built a program that’s more about reloading than rebuilding. And junior Faith Lolofie, relegated to coming off the bench last year, is ready to explode onto the scene in 2013-14.
Reason for pessimism: Depth is a major concern and with all the seniors playing the past two seasons, young players rarely found varsity playing time on the court. Now they will have to contribute right away.
Players to watch: C Faith Lolofie, Jr.; G Mckinzie Gunnter, Fr.
Snake River Panthers
Coach: Rich Dunn, third year
Record last year: 23-2, 3A state champions
Starters returning/lost: 3/2
Reason for optimism: The defending champs have more depth than last season, and the inside/outside combination of seniors Brylie Bair and Makena Shelley is as good as it gets.
Reason for pessimism: The Panthers have three starters back but the two they lost — Maddie Pilster and Kylie Coby — both moved on to play college basketball. They were steady contributors for Snake River on both sides of the basketball, and replacing their production (and leadership) is no simple or easy task.
Players to watch: G Makena Shelley, Sr.; F Brylie Bair, Sr.; G Scout Baldwin, Sr.
Shelley Russets
Coach: Burke Davis, seventh year
Record last year: 12-11
Starters returning/lost: 2/3
Reason for optimism: This team has loads of young athleticism. The large number of seniors that have departed means any amount of those young players are free to step into contributing varsity roles.
Reason for pessimism: The 3A 6th District is a scary place to be. Sugar-Salem and Teton are both going to be hard teams to crack. Head coach Burke Davis isn't sure there is a favorite to emerge at the top of the conference.
Players to watch: G Indi Young, Sr.; F Brecklyn Hobbs, Jr.; F Kira Marlow, So.; G Madi Ball, Jr.
Coach: Karalee Bonzon, third year
Record last year: 10-12
Starters returning/lost: 1/4
Reason for optimism: With six seniors gone to graduation, there’s a youth movement in Aberdeen, and that fits third-year head coach Karalee Bonzon just fine. The Tigers had won four games in five years before she arrived, and now there’s a culture installed that the new players have accepted.
Reason for pessimism: Filling in for six lost seniors is no easy matter. The new girls have the gumption to learn, and picking up wins along the way might be a bonus rather than an expectation.
Players to watch: G Kaitlin Jolley, Sr.; C Kira Shelman, Sr.
Malad Dragons
Coach: Bob Sorensen, sixth year
Record last year: 13-12
Starters returning/lost: 2/3
Reason for optimism: Malad has size and experience with players like forward Brooke Sorensen and guard Sage Smith. Plus, sophomore Paityn Tripp is ready for more time on the varsity level.
Reason for pessimism: Malad is missing one of the 2A 5th District’s best post players, Aubrey King, with a knee injury. She provided scoring, rebounding and defense. How other players fill the void she left will go a long way in determining Malad’s ultimate fate.
Players to watch: F Brooke Sorensen, Sr.; G Sierra Detwiler, Sr.; G Sage Smith, Jr.; F, Paityn Tripp, So.
Soda Springs Cardinals
Coach: Wade Schvaneveldt, 12th year
Record last year: 23-3, second place at state
Starters returning/lost: 3/2
Reason for optimism: Soda Springs has made the state tournament the past 11 seasons, and with Dakota Siepert, Anndee Neuman and Markee Kimball all returning from last season’s second-place squad expect that trend to continue.
Reason for pessimism: The Cardinals are talented but lack height in the post, a problem only rearing its head when Soda faces the elite in the 2A classification.
Players to watch: F Markee Kimball, Jr; G Dakota Siepert, Sr.
West Side Pirates
Coach: Kelli Hobson, second year
Record last year: 4-17
Starters returning/lost: 1/4
Reason for optimism: Coach Kelli Hobson has an injection of youth, enthusiasm and energy into the program for 2013-14.
Reason for pessimism: Most of that youth, enthusiasm and energy is unproven at the varsity level. Plus, two ACL injuries have left the Pirates with six players on the varsity roster.
Players to watch: F Abbie Povey, So.; G Addie Cook, So.
Coach: Kevin Smith, sixth year
Record last year: 17-11, lost third-place game at state
Starters returning/lost: 3/2
Reason for optimism: For the first time in coach Kevin Smith’s time at Grace, the Grizzlies boast depth. They can dip into the bench and play as many as eight girls without a major drop off.
Reason for pessimism: Injuries are always a concern, but barring unforeseen circumstances, Grace is poised to make a run at state for the third straight season.
Players to watch: F Mackenzie Windley, Sr.; G/F Kate Skinner, Sr.; C Danielle Prowell, Sr.; G Kyrie Christensen, So.; G/F Brittany Bitton, Sr.
Coach: Joe Benglan, first year
Record last year: 5-15
Starters returning/lost: 1/4
Reason for optimism: North Gem first-year head coach Joe Benglan starts with seven seniors on the team, and they’re a motivated group after last season’s disappointing record.
Reason for pessimism: The seven seniors, as a whole, have not had a lot of time playing together at the varsity level. Throw in a new coach and an injury to junior post Shycole Simmons that will keep her out to the start the year and there’s a lot of unknowns to start the 2013-14 season.
Players to watch: G Courtney McBride, Sr.; C Bailey McCulloch, Sr.; F Shycole Simmons, Jr.
Rockland Bulldogs
Coach: Vern Nelson, 17th year
Record last year: 14-12, lost the third-place game at state
Starters returning/lost: 3.5/1.5
Reason for optimism: Rockland may have been too dependent on star post Savanah Farr a year ago. Farr averaged a double-double (14.7 ppg, 11.4 reb, 4.8 stl), and that led the Bulldogs to the state tournament. But this year’s squad, coach Vern Nelson believes, has the talent to shoulder some of the scoring load. If they can do that, Rockland has a shot to dethrone Mackay, the defending 5-6 District champs.
Reason for pessimism: If Rockland is once again too reliant on Farr, it allows opponents to focus defenses on one player.
Players to watch: C Savanah Farr, Sr.; G Stefani McClanahan, So.; G Tiffini Lee, Sr.; F/W Kelsey Glenn, Sr.; F Cierra O'Brien, Sr.; F Aspen O'Brien, So.; F/W Mesa Farr, Jr.
Century is coming off a 4A state title game appearance, and the Diamondbacks greatest rival, the Pocatello Indians, return three starters from a team that surprised the state with a third-place finish.
The Highland Rams came oh-so-excruciatingly close to a state title game appearance, losing by one point to the eventual champs (Post Falls) in the semifinals before rebounding for a third-place trophy.
In the 3A ranks, the Snake River Panthers survived Parma in the semifinals and then rolled Filer in the state championship.
Like Highland, Century and Pocatello, Soda Springs falls into the what-could-have-been category from last year’s state tournament. The Cardinals’ first loss to a 2A opponent came in the championship game, a 45-40 defeat to North Fremont.
And in 1A D1 and 1A DII, both Grace and Rockland fell in third-place games.
All those results are nothing but history from this point forward.
In the 5th District, there are two new coaches taking over programs (Pocatello and North Gem) and eight teams appear in the preseason media poll.
Where anyone goes from here is hard to say, and there’s no point guessing because we’ll learn all the final answers in February during the Basketball Dairy Shoot Out.
Let the games begin.
(These capsules were compiled with the help of my coworker Josh Friesen, and we included a capsule for Shelley even though the Russets reside in the 6th District.)
5A
Highland RamsCoach: Tony Green, fourth year
Record last year: 22-3, placed third at state
Starters returning/lost: 2/3
Reason for optimism: This year’s squad is a different team, and coach Tony Green has adjusted. The Rams will dial back the relentless press — but you can be sure they will still press — and they might even play a little zone. Timmie Bowie is back for her senior year and so is Makenzie Van Sickle and others. Talent has not vacated Highland’s gym.
Reason for pessimism: Rebounding. Highland lost its top three rebounders from last season, and they lack the depth of year’s past.
Players to watch: G Makenzie Van Sickle, Sr.; G Timmie Bowie, Sr.; F Reece Bauer, Sr.; F Katie Denney, Sr.; F Maren Herrud, Jr.
4A
Century DiamondbacksCoach: Chris Shuler, fifth year
Record last year: 17-8, placed second at state
Starters returning/lost: 3/2
Reason for optimism: Team chemistry. It’s a varsity group that has played together for a long time, and, yeah, it helps that there’s plenty of talent back for the defending 4A 5th District champs who are coming off of a state championship game appearance.
Reason for pessimism: While three starters are back it’s the two who are gone that’s a concern, especially the departed Rowan Keller who guarded the opposition’s best player every game, practically regardless of position. Who will fill that thankless role?
Players to watch: G Sarah Holt, Jr.; G Rian Rawlings, So.; F Kylee Casper, Jr.; G Aliea Son, Jr.; F Lindsey Smoot, Jr.; C Henny Hearn, Jr.
Pocatello Indians
Coach: Brock Gunter, first year
Record last year: 17-9, third place at state
Starters returning/lost: 3/2
Reason for optimism: With offseason turmoil surrounding the loss of their last head coach, the Indians are just ready to play basketball, and the three starters back, Carly Parker, Paige Durrant and Brooke Pierce, from last season’s third-place squad provide Pocatello a solid base to start from.
Reason for pessimism: Beyond the starters, Pocatello lacks depth, and the continuing saga on the Indians’ former head coach only serves to distract the players.
Players to watch: G Carly Parker, Jr.; G Paige Durrant, Sr.; G/F Brooke Pierce, Sr.; F Heather Waldemar, Sr.
Preston Indians
Coach: Belinda Taylor, second year
Record last year: 3-19
Starters returning/lost: 2/3
Reason for optimism: The Indians have a large contingent of last year’s 18-2 junior varsity squad making the jump to varsity this year. Seven players from Preston's successful JV team will be varsity contributors.
Reason for pessimism: While the talent is there, the varsity experience is small. Senior Brittney Parker, who started last season, will not be on the floor because of an ACL injury she suffered over the summer.
Players to watch: F Alexa VanVleet, Sr.; F Shania Carlisle, Jr.
3A
American Falls BeaversCoach: Tyler Shafer, second year
Record last year: 8-13
Starters returning/lost: 3/2
Reason for optimism: With Lindsey Woodworth and Maria Sanchez, second-year head coach Tyler Shafer has the backcourt to run, run and run. The Beavers can score.
Reason for pessimism: American Falls’ backcourt is a strength and the frontcourt is, well, Shafer isn’t sure yet. His forwards and posts are young and inexperienced.
Players to watch: G Lindsey Woodworth, Sr.; G Maria Sanchez, Sr.; F Sammie Neaman, Jr.
Bear Lake Bears
Coach: Brian Nate, second year
Record last year: 5-11
Starters returning/lost: 2/3
Reason for optimism: In coach Brian Nate’s second season, the players have adjusted to his program, and with BreiAnna Grunig and Kirsten Stevens in the frontcourt the Bears have a solid foundation for defense and rebounding. Plus, Nate hopes he has the outside shooting to help his posts on offense by spreading the floor.
Reason for pessimism: With Snake River, Marsh Valley and American Falls, the 3A 5th District is brutal, and Nate’s shooters on the perimeter are unproven to this point.
Players to watch: F BreiAnna Grunig, Jr.; C Kirsten Stevens, Jr.
Marsh Valley Eagles
Coach: Kyle McQuivey, eighth year
Record last year: 19-6, lost state consolation game
Starters returning/lost: 0/5
Reason for optimism: Two years removed from a state championship and an undefeated season, coach Kyle McQuivey has built a program that’s more about reloading than rebuilding. And junior Faith Lolofie, relegated to coming off the bench last year, is ready to explode onto the scene in 2013-14.
Reason for pessimism: Depth is a major concern and with all the seniors playing the past two seasons, young players rarely found varsity playing time on the court. Now they will have to contribute right away.
Players to watch: C Faith Lolofie, Jr.; G Mckinzie Gunnter, Fr.
Snake River Panthers
Coach: Rich Dunn, third year
Record last year: 23-2, 3A state champions
Starters returning/lost: 3/2
Reason for optimism: The defending champs have more depth than last season, and the inside/outside combination of seniors Brylie Bair and Makena Shelley is as good as it gets.
Reason for pessimism: The Panthers have three starters back but the two they lost — Maddie Pilster and Kylie Coby — both moved on to play college basketball. They were steady contributors for Snake River on both sides of the basketball, and replacing their production (and leadership) is no simple or easy task.
Players to watch: G Makena Shelley, Sr.; F Brylie Bair, Sr.; G Scout Baldwin, Sr.
Shelley Russets
Coach: Burke Davis, seventh year
Record last year: 12-11
Starters returning/lost: 2/3
Reason for optimism: This team has loads of young athleticism. The large number of seniors that have departed means any amount of those young players are free to step into contributing varsity roles.
Reason for pessimism: The 3A 6th District is a scary place to be. Sugar-Salem and Teton are both going to be hard teams to crack. Head coach Burke Davis isn't sure there is a favorite to emerge at the top of the conference.
Players to watch: G Indi Young, Sr.; F Brecklyn Hobbs, Jr.; F Kira Marlow, So.; G Madi Ball, Jr.
2A
Aberdeen TigersCoach: Karalee Bonzon, third year
Record last year: 10-12
Starters returning/lost: 1/4
Reason for optimism: With six seniors gone to graduation, there’s a youth movement in Aberdeen, and that fits third-year head coach Karalee Bonzon just fine. The Tigers had won four games in five years before she arrived, and now there’s a culture installed that the new players have accepted.
Reason for pessimism: Filling in for six lost seniors is no easy matter. The new girls have the gumption to learn, and picking up wins along the way might be a bonus rather than an expectation.
Players to watch: G Kaitlin Jolley, Sr.; C Kira Shelman, Sr.
Malad Dragons
Coach: Bob Sorensen, sixth year
Record last year: 13-12
Starters returning/lost: 2/3
Reason for optimism: Malad has size and experience with players like forward Brooke Sorensen and guard Sage Smith. Plus, sophomore Paityn Tripp is ready for more time on the varsity level.
Reason for pessimism: Malad is missing one of the 2A 5th District’s best post players, Aubrey King, with a knee injury. She provided scoring, rebounding and defense. How other players fill the void she left will go a long way in determining Malad’s ultimate fate.
Players to watch: F Brooke Sorensen, Sr.; G Sierra Detwiler, Sr.; G Sage Smith, Jr.; F, Paityn Tripp, So.
Soda Springs Cardinals
Coach: Wade Schvaneveldt, 12th year
Record last year: 23-3, second place at state
Starters returning/lost: 3/2
Reason for optimism: Soda Springs has made the state tournament the past 11 seasons, and with Dakota Siepert, Anndee Neuman and Markee Kimball all returning from last season’s second-place squad expect that trend to continue.
Reason for pessimism: The Cardinals are talented but lack height in the post, a problem only rearing its head when Soda faces the elite in the 2A classification.
Players to watch: F Markee Kimball, Jr; G Dakota Siepert, Sr.
West Side Pirates
Coach: Kelli Hobson, second year
Record last year: 4-17
Starters returning/lost: 1/4
Reason for optimism: Coach Kelli Hobson has an injection of youth, enthusiasm and energy into the program for 2013-14.
Reason for pessimism: Most of that youth, enthusiasm and energy is unproven at the varsity level. Plus, two ACL injuries have left the Pirates with six players on the varsity roster.
Players to watch: F Abbie Povey, So.; G Addie Cook, So.
1A DI
Grace GrizzliesCoach: Kevin Smith, sixth year
Record last year: 17-11, lost third-place game at state
Starters returning/lost: 3/2
Reason for optimism: For the first time in coach Kevin Smith’s time at Grace, the Grizzlies boast depth. They can dip into the bench and play as many as eight girls without a major drop off.
Reason for pessimism: Injuries are always a concern, but barring unforeseen circumstances, Grace is poised to make a run at state for the third straight season.
Players to watch: F Mackenzie Windley, Sr.; G/F Kate Skinner, Sr.; C Danielle Prowell, Sr.; G Kyrie Christensen, So.; G/F Brittany Bitton, Sr.
1A DII
North GemCoach: Joe Benglan, first year
Record last year: 5-15
Starters returning/lost: 1/4
Reason for optimism: North Gem first-year head coach Joe Benglan starts with seven seniors on the team, and they’re a motivated group after last season’s disappointing record.
Reason for pessimism: The seven seniors, as a whole, have not had a lot of time playing together at the varsity level. Throw in a new coach and an injury to junior post Shycole Simmons that will keep her out to the start the year and there’s a lot of unknowns to start the 2013-14 season.
Players to watch: G Courtney McBride, Sr.; C Bailey McCulloch, Sr.; F Shycole Simmons, Jr.
Rockland Bulldogs
Coach: Vern Nelson, 17th year
Record last year: 14-12, lost the third-place game at state
Starters returning/lost: 3.5/1.5
Reason for optimism: Rockland may have been too dependent on star post Savanah Farr a year ago. Farr averaged a double-double (14.7 ppg, 11.4 reb, 4.8 stl), and that led the Bulldogs to the state tournament. But this year’s squad, coach Vern Nelson believes, has the talent to shoulder some of the scoring load. If they can do that, Rockland has a shot to dethrone Mackay, the defending 5-6 District champs.
Reason for pessimism: If Rockland is once again too reliant on Farr, it allows opponents to focus defenses on one player.
Players to watch: C Savanah Farr, Sr.; G Stefani McClanahan, So.; G Tiffini Lee, Sr.; F/W Kelsey Glenn, Sr.; F Cierra O'Brien, Sr.; F Aspen O'Brien, So.; F/W Mesa Farr, Jr.
Idaho high school girls basketball media poll
Idaho high school girls basketball media poll
Preseason
First-place votes in parentheses
Preseason
First-place votes in parentheses
5A Pts.
1. Coeur d'Alene (6) 34
2. Rocky Mountain 18
3. Lewiston 13
3. Post Falls (1) 13
5. Mountain View 8
5. Highland 8
Others receiving votes: Capital 7, Meridian 2, Centennial 2.
4A Pts.
1. Bishop Kelly (5) 33
2. Middleton (2) 26
3. Century 24
4. Pocatello 9
5. Moscow 4
Others receiving votes: Twin Falls 3, Skyview 2, Burley 2, Nampa 2.
3A Pts.
1. Snake River (7) 35
2. Filer 24
3. Sugar-Salem 15
4. Bonners Ferry 13
5. Parma 12
Others receiving votes: Marsh Valley 5, Priest River 1.
2A Pts.
1. North Fremont (5) 33
2. Soda Springs (2) 30
3. Ririe 17
4. Grangeville 14
5. Firth 5
Others receiving votes: Melba 4, New Plymouth 1, West Jefferson 1.
1A Division I Pts.
1. Lapwai (3) 30
2. Kamiah (3) 27
3, Prairie (1) 21
4. Grace 12
5. Butte County 10
Others receiving votes: Hagerman 3, Liberty Charter 1, Challis 1.
1A Division II Pts.
1. Dietrich (6) 33
2. Kendrick (1) 24
3. Mackay 21
4. Carey 10
5. Tri-Valley 7
Others receiving votes: Rockland 5, Richfield 4, Lighthouse Christian 1.
Voters
Mark Nelke, Coeur d'Alene Press
Greg Lee, Spokesman-Review
Matt Baney, Lewiston Tribune
Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman
David Bashore, Times-News
Kyle Franko, Idaho State Journal
Marlowe Hereford, Post Register
Kyle's preseason poll ...
5A
1 Coeur d'Alene
2 Rocky Mountain
3 Mountain View
4 Meridian
5 Highland
4A
1 Middleton
2 Bishop Kelly
3 Century
4 Skyview
5 Pocatello
3A
1 Snake River
2 Filer
3 Parma
4 Sugar-Salem
5 Marsh Valley
2A
1 Soda Springs
2 North Fremont
3 Firth
4 Ririe
5 Grangville
1A Division I
1 Kamiah
2 Butte County
3 Lapwai
4 Prairie
5 Grace
1A Division II
1 Dietrich
2 Mackay
3 Kendrick
4 Carey
5 Rockland
Upcoming road trip provides tough test for 1-0 Bengals
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| Journal File Photo |
The days of playing frosted cupcakes is over for Idaho State men’s basketball.
ISU opened with an exhibition game Nov. 4 against NAIA opponent Dickinson State and the Bengals cruised to a 97-54 final. And last Saturday they whipped Evergreen State, another NAIA opponent, 99-62 in Reed Gym.
It’s the third time in the last decade that Idaho State did not begin its season versus a major Division I opponent. In head coach Bill Evans first year in Pocatello, the Bengals were in Logan, Utah, against Utah State (a game they dropped 56-48).
For 2013-14, however, ISU had the Geoducks. It was the Bengals’ opportunity to run up and down the floor, score in bunches and, in general, manhandle a physically inferior opponent.
And they did. Idaho State shot 51 percent from the floor, hit eight 3-pointers and drained 17 more free throws than Evergreen attempted.
ISU led by 20 at the half and rumbled to a 37-point victory. But after the game, Evans was upset.
Idaho State had been sloppy on offense, coughing up 17 turnovers, and allowing Evergreen to score 62 points is a problem for a squad that bases its identity on defense, defense and defense.
Getting after a team in the locker room following a lopsided win is about stomping out any potential problems today so the issues don’t linger in the future.
“If you don’t stand up for something, you’re not going to be very successful in your life,” Evans said. “I believe in some things, and if they don’t do them they’re going to get it.”
By “it” Evans is referring to a firm stare and a few words in regard to what did not go well. By Tuesday, though, the Bengals had moved on.
"My memory isn’t very good. It’s one of the things the Lord blessed me with, a short memory,” Evans said.
Now Idaho State takes its 1-0 record on the road to play Arizona State (2-0) Friday night at the Wells Fargo Arena, and the Sun Devils are a different kind of opponent.
ASU point guard Jahii Carson is one of 15 players on the preseason watch list for the Oscar Robertson Award, given annually to the national player of the year. And, as expected on a Pac-12 team, there’s talent, size and athleticism all over the Sun Devil roster for a team picked seventh in the preseason poll.
But Idaho State is approaching it like another game, which it sort of is. The Bengals have ASU Friday, San Francisco Monday and CSU Bakersfield Nov. 23, all part of a three-game road trip before the Bengals host Carroll College in the first week of December.
Arizona State is the first of three Pac-12 squads Idaho State faces before Big Sky action begins in January.
“Everybody’s going to, besides us, expect us to go in and get blown out,” said senior ISU guard Tomas Sanchez. “So if we can go in there and try to steal one and keep it competitive, we’ll be happy with that.”
And they want to avoid a game like they had with Oregon last December. ISU went to Eugene and the Ducks rolled to a 42-point victory. The outcome had a negative effect on the Bengals’ confidence that lasted beyond the trip west. It struck deep.
A similar loss to the Sun Devils and suddenly a team that won six games a year ago isn’t so sure this year’s squad is any different.
“If we don’t play very well then it’s right back to, ‘same old thing,’” Evans said.
But Evans does not expect a result of that nature. ISU flies to Arizona State with confidence.
“I’m going to approach the game like we’re going to win the game,” said junior forward Jeffrey Solarin. “That’s what our focus is in practice. We’re going out there to win the game. If that school is going to pay us to come play them, we’re going to take their money.”
NOTES: Idaho State is 1-2 all-time versus Arizona State. ISU beat ASU back in 1957-58 72-68. ... Idaho State and Arizona State last played in 2008. The Bengals lost 90-55.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Weren’t these D-backs down for the count?
Hey, for more on Century's defense, click here for a great story written by my coworker, Josh Friesen.
On a main road near where I live someone ran over a squirrel last week. Poor guy was just laying there, and since no one moved him his carcass slowly became a flat, squashed mess as vehicle after vehicle applied tire to fur.
This week, that squirrel is nothing more a dark stain on the street. A gruesome story, I realize (especially for me considering how I’ve used this column in the past to write about how much I detest gory movies) but I bring up that four-legged furry animal to ask a question.
How in the world did the Century Diamondbacks not end up like that squirrel, a flattened pancake on the road to the 2013 high school playoffs?
Not to belabor the point, but remember where the D-backs stood four games into the year? They were 1-3 and any hopes to reach the postseason meant they needed to not only win the rest of their conference games, but they had to rely on outside help. September was a miserable month for the Diamondbacks.
After losing a heartbreaker to Rigby 21-19, Century had to rely on the Trojans to roll through the rest of their conference slate. Can you imagine rooting for your enemy? That’d be like an ant buying stock in Magnifying Glass Incorporated.
To make a long story short, Century did what it needed to do, and October and November have been magical months. The defense got nasty, giving 5.8 points a game in their final five games of the year (after allowing up 22.75 in the first four), and really made a statement against Pocatello with four defensive touchdowns.
They backed that effort up with two interceptions returned for points against Twin Falls. The D-backs smothered the Bruins star running back Jacob Johnson who entered that quarterfinal playoff game seeking his school’s all-time rushing record.
Since I moved to Pocatello in August of 2012, people told me Century's class of 2014 was the class, a group of young men with the talent to propel Century to a 4A playoff run.
Before 2013, Century hadn’t been in the playoffs since 2004. But this group of seniors, comprised of guys like Austin Ferguson, Shane Rominger, Scott Kuhn, Remy Lambson, Logan Fackrell, Mason Spillett, Reece Ravsten and others (I could go on and on with 31 seniors listed on the roster), had the goods (i.e. talent) to put the D-backs into the postseason.
And after Century nearly beat Highland in its opening game (a loss that's looked better and better considering what the Rams have done since), the possibilities seemed endless. But I keep coming back to September, the ugliest month of the year for Century football. Three losses in four weeks. Yet, with head coach David Spillett leading the way, the Diamondbacks stayed confident.
“That’s one thing that didn’t happen to this group of kids. They continued to believe in what we were trying to do, in what we were telling them,” Spillett said a few days before Century manhandled Twin Falls. “They never lost the faith.”
They never lost the faith and a cupcake game against a Burley squad — who the D-backs romped 49-0 — served as an adrenaline shot straight to Century’s beating heart. They’ve ripped off six-straight victories and now host Bishop Kelly in the state semifinals Friday night at Holt Arena.
In about a month and a half, they went from looking like road kill to standing on the precipice of a state championship. That’s an unreal turnaround. It’s too bad for D-back opponents everywhere that they didn’t take advantage of the time Century lay on the road lifeless and beaten to finish them off.
Maybe Century was only making like a possum and playing dead.
On a main road near where I live someone ran over a squirrel last week. Poor guy was just laying there, and since no one moved him his carcass slowly became a flat, squashed mess as vehicle after vehicle applied tire to fur.
This week, that squirrel is nothing more a dark stain on the street. A gruesome story, I realize (especially for me considering how I’ve used this column in the past to write about how much I detest gory movies) but I bring up that four-legged furry animal to ask a question.
How in the world did the Century Diamondbacks not end up like that squirrel, a flattened pancake on the road to the 2013 high school playoffs?
Not to belabor the point, but remember where the D-backs stood four games into the year? They were 1-3 and any hopes to reach the postseason meant they needed to not only win the rest of their conference games, but they had to rely on outside help. September was a miserable month for the Diamondbacks.
After losing a heartbreaker to Rigby 21-19, Century had to rely on the Trojans to roll through the rest of their conference slate. Can you imagine rooting for your enemy? That’d be like an ant buying stock in Magnifying Glass Incorporated.
To make a long story short, Century did what it needed to do, and October and November have been magical months. The defense got nasty, giving 5.8 points a game in their final five games of the year (after allowing up 22.75 in the first four), and really made a statement against Pocatello with four defensive touchdowns.
They backed that effort up with two interceptions returned for points against Twin Falls. The D-backs smothered the Bruins star running back Jacob Johnson who entered that quarterfinal playoff game seeking his school’s all-time rushing record.
Since I moved to Pocatello in August of 2012, people told me Century's class of 2014 was the class, a group of young men with the talent to propel Century to a 4A playoff run.
Before 2013, Century hadn’t been in the playoffs since 2004. But this group of seniors, comprised of guys like Austin Ferguson, Shane Rominger, Scott Kuhn, Remy Lambson, Logan Fackrell, Mason Spillett, Reece Ravsten and others (I could go on and on with 31 seniors listed on the roster), had the goods (i.e. talent) to put the D-backs into the postseason.
And after Century nearly beat Highland in its opening game (a loss that's looked better and better considering what the Rams have done since), the possibilities seemed endless. But I keep coming back to September, the ugliest month of the year for Century football. Three losses in four weeks. Yet, with head coach David Spillett leading the way, the Diamondbacks stayed confident.
“That’s one thing that didn’t happen to this group of kids. They continued to believe in what we were trying to do, in what we were telling them,” Spillett said a few days before Century manhandled Twin Falls. “They never lost the faith.”
They never lost the faith and a cupcake game against a Burley squad — who the D-backs romped 49-0 — served as an adrenaline shot straight to Century’s beating heart. They’ve ripped off six-straight victories and now host Bishop Kelly in the state semifinals Friday night at Holt Arena.
In about a month and a half, they went from looking like road kill to standing on the precipice of a state championship. That’s an unreal turnaround. It’s too bad for D-back opponents everywhere that they didn’t take advantage of the time Century lay on the road lifeless and beaten to finish them off.
Maybe Century was only making like a possum and playing dead.
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Idaho State versus Evergreen State post-game blog
Idaho State 99, Evergreen State 62
For a full game recap, click here.Look below for the game’s entire box score.
Star of the game: Jeffrey Solarin. Solarin scored 23 points and gobbled up 10 rebounds. Even better, Solarin hit 10 of his 11 shots. The junior college transfer demolished Evergreen State inside the post as all 10 of his field goals were layups.
It’s not a performance he’ll repeat — often — but the way Solarin can affect a game through defense and rebouding will be essential to any kind of success Idaho State can find this season.
He’s listed at 6-foot-4. In reality, Solarin is 6-2 — maybe. But his arms are freakishly long and his aptitude to just, well, just rebound is special. It’s easy to see why ISU head coach Bill Evans was so happy to get him when he transferred out of Northwest College in Wyoming.
(By the way, Idaho State and Portland State waged a recruiting battle for Solarin, a war Evans and the Bengals won, obviously.)
Reason for concern: Idaho State scored 97 points in its exhibition game Nov. 4, and the Bengals followed that up with a 99-point explosion against the Geoducks.
But ISU is not an offensive juggernaut. The Bengals' Big Sky fate relies on their defense, and Evergreen — the worst team Idaho State will play this season — scored 62 points. Frankie Johnson, a 5-foot-9 guard weighing a resounding 145 pounds, burned the Bengals for 22 points, including six 3-pointers.
It’s not acceptable, hence some of Evans’ frustration after the game.
“Should I lie and say I’m all excited?” Evans said. “I’m not excited.”
IDAHO ST. 99, EVERGREEN ST. 62
EVERGREEN ST. (1-3)
Peters 1-4 0-0 3, Phillip 1-2 0-2 2, M. Taylor 7-12 0-0 14, Johnson 7-15 2-2 22, Calhoun 2-11 0-0 5, Dam 0-1 0-0 0, Rawls 1-4 0-0 2, Hong 1-5 0-0 3, Faison 2-4 0-0 4, Potter 1-3 2-2 5, Howard 0-1 0-0 0, Awadjie 0-0 2-4 2. Totals 23-62 6-10 62.
IDAHO ST. (1-0)
Preh 1-2 0-0 2, Sanchez 4-11 6-7 15, Solarin 10-11 3-4 23, Hatchett 2-10 5-8 9, Hansen 5-9 0-0 14, Hall 2-6 7-8 11, Tyler 3-5 2-4 9, Smith 3-4 4-4 11, Thomas 2-5 0-0 5. Totals 32-63 27-35 99.
Halftime_Idaho St. 49-29. 3-Point Goals_Evergreen St. 10-34 (Johnson 6-11, Potter 1-2, Peters 1-3, Hong 1-5, Calhoun 1-9, M. Taylor 0-1, Howard 0-1, Rawls 0-2), Idaho St. 8-15 (Hansen 4-7, Tyler 1-1, Smith 1-1, Sanchez 1-3, Thomas 1-3). Fouled Out_Smith. Rebounds_Evergreen St. 28 (M. Taylor 10), Idaho St. 50 (Hansen, Solarin 10). Assists_Evergreen St. 9 (Potter, M. Taylor 3), Idaho St. 12 (Hatchett, Sanchez 3). Total Fouls_Evergreen St. 23, Idaho St. 18. A_1,452.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
The Lady D-backs are scary, scary good
I imagine the Century Diamondbacks as the lead protagonist in a volleyball horror film, except they’re the bad guy, the monster with a rip-roaring chain saw that tortures its victims before disposing them in some ugly, cover-your-eyes gruesome manner.
Just when you think they’re dead, they spring back to life out of a dark closet.
There is one difference between the Diamondbacks and Hollywood’s horror monsters. These D-backs always win. There’s never a happy ending or a positive outcome for the competition. Century jumps out from the fog and finishes off its victims with relentless tenacity.
The Diamondbacks just won their fourth-consecutive 4A volleyball championship last Saturday up north at Lake City High School, and did it after losing to Skyview in a two-hour thriller Friday afternoon.
Skyview had recovered from a two-set deficit to defeat Century. By that point, the Hawks had knocked off the D-backs both times they had played in the 2013 season. I have to envision that as they closed their eyes Friday night, each Hawk felt convinced Century had been beaten — the D-backs were dead.
But what they didn’t know was how head coach Pauline Thiros felt. Over the phone, she told me how close the Diamondbacks had been to winning, and even though Skyview and its seven seniors were bigger and stronger at every position, Century had taken them to the brink.
Even if they were in the losers’ bracket — ensuring that the D-backs would have to win four matches Saturday to take the title — Thiros thought her crew could handle the adversity. She was convinced her players had the necessary conditioning to survive a marathon day.
More than anything, Skyview didn’t know there’s one villain more scary, spine-chilling and spooky than anything Hollywood has ever devised. For those who missed it, the Diamondbacks did battle all the way back Saturday. They swept Sandpoint, took care of Skyview in four sets and shocked Bonneville with back-to-back victories for the championship.
If you meet Century’s players in person, they’re not exactly horrifying (in truth, they’re nice, attentive and polite). But that’s only because you don’t play them in volleyball.
Anyone who does knows how it’s nearly hopeless to find a weakness in their defense, that Kayla Ellis attacks from the outside with the power of a howitzer and setter Sami Parris is willing to use all her weapons at any time. They’ve got the pedigree of a state champion, but they compete like there’s something left to prove.
For practices, Century players wear T-shirts that say “Nobody trains to be runner up,” but I don’t know. It seems that for the past four years, that’s exactly what everyone else has been doing.
And that’s a really terrifying thought for anyone in the 4A ranks not called the D-backs.
Big Sky season preview
Eastern Washington Eagles
Coaches’ poll: 5th
Media poll: 6th
2012-2013: 10-21 (7-13, ninth in the Big Sky)
Starters returning/lost: 4/1
Reason for optimism: With the reigning Big Sky Freshman of the Year Venky Jois, the Eagles are on the upswing with third-year head coach Jim Hayford.
Reason for pessimism: Without a senior on the roster and three juniors, Hayford is relying on sophomores and freshmen to help Eastern take a big jump up the conference standings.
Idaho State Bengals
Coaches’ poll: 10th
Media poll: 11th
2012-2013: 6-24 (5-10, 11th in the Big Sky)
Starters returning/lost: 3/2
Reason for optimism: Bill Evans has more of “his guys” this year. The Bengals are bigger and stronger. Chris Hansen, Tomas Sanchez and Andre Hatchett are three proven contributors.
Reason for pessimism: ISU had to redshirt two players with size, and that was unexpected. Throw in injury concerns with junior college transfer Ajak Magot and the roster looks scary thin.
Montana Grizzlies
Coaches’ poll: 3rd
Media poll: 2nd
2012-2013: 25-7 (19-1, first in the Big Sky)
Starters returning/lost: 3/2
Reason for optimism: Kareem Jamar, the 2012-13 Big Sky MVP, is back for his senior year. He isn’t the flashiest player in the conference, just the best player.
Reason for pessimism: Not much. Will Cherry, a two-time defensive player of the year, is gone to graduation and so is Mathias Ward. But each of those guys missed chunks of last season for the Grizzlies. With Wayne Tinkle in his eighth season in Missoula, they seem to reload not rebuild.
Montana State Bobcats
Coaches’ poll: 6th
Media poll: 5th
2012-2013: 13-17 (10-10, fourth in the Big Sky)
Starters returning/lost: 3/2
Reason for optimism: Head coach Brad Huse points to continuity with nine letterwinners back from last season, hoping experience equates to more wins.
Reason for pessimism: In his first seven seasons at Montana State, Huse has never missed the postseason tournament. But it’s also a place where the ’Cats have — generally — woefully under performed.
North Dakota
Coaches’ poll: 2nd
Media poll: 3rd
2012-2013: 16-17 (12-18, third in the Big Sky)
Starters returning/lost: 4/1
Reason for optimism: Troy Huff, a 6-foot-5 senior guard, is the best pure scorer in the conference, and UND recruited size in the offseason to try and offset Weber State’s and Montana’s advantages under the basket.
Reason for pessimism: North Dakota finished six games behind second-place Weber State a year ago. Did the frontcourt improve enough to propel it into the Big Sky’s elite?
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
Coaches’ poll: 9th
Media poll: 7th
2012-2013: 11-21 (8-12, 7th in the Big Sky)
Starters returning/lost: 3/2
Reason for optimism: Sophomore guard DeWayne Russell averaged 14.4 points as a freshman, and he’s expected to contribute on the defensive end this season, too.
Reason for pessimism: Northern Arizona has already lost to an NAIA team, and early on at least, there’s a leadership void for the Lumberjacks.
Northern Colorado Bears
Coaches’ poll: 4th
Media poll: 4th
2012-2013: 13-18 (10-10, fifth in the Big Sky)
Starters returning/lost: 5/0
Reason for optimism: Senior-heavy and savvy, Northern Colorado has experience and talent across the roster.
Reason for pessimism: The Bears have struggled to guard the perimeter in the past. Head coach B.J. Hill has recruited with that in mind but, well, they haven’t done it yet.
Portland State Vikings
Coaches’ poll: 8th
Media poll: 9th
2012-2013: 8-20 (5-15, 11th in the Big Sky)
Starters returning/lost: 2/3
Reason for optimism: The Vikings have seven nonconference homes games, an astronomical amount compared to the typical Big Sky team that usually has anywhere from two to four.
Reason for pessimism: Portland State’s defense. The Vikings defensive field goal percentage (48.4 percent) ranked dead last a year ago, and evidence that will dramatically change is difficult to find.
Sacramento State Hornets
Coaches’ poll: 7th
Media poll: 8th
2012-2013: 14-15 (8-12, eighth in the Big Sky)
Starters returning/lost: 2/3
Reason for optimism: Head coach Brian Katz, in his sixth season, says Dylan Garrity, Mikh McKinney and Cody Demps will form the best backcourt he’s had at Sacramento State.
Reason for pessimism: The Hornets are on a five-year run of improving their win total in conference play, but losing three starters could stymie that trend.
Southern Utah Thunderbirds
Coaches’ poll: 11th
Media poll: 10th
2012-2013: 11-20 (8-12, ninth in the Big Sky)
Starters returning/lost: 2/3
Reason for optimism: Hard to find. There’s 10 new fresh faces for head coach Nick Robinson to mold, but Southern Utah is at the point where its recruiting first-year all-conference stars.
Reason for pessimism: The T-birds lost five seniors who started 88 games a year ago and accounted for 77.6 percent of their offense.
Weber State Wildcats
Coaches’ poll: 1st
Media poll: 1st
2012-2013: 30-7 (18-2, second in the Big Sky)
Starters returning/lost: 3/2
Reason for optimism: From the top to the bottom, Weber State’s roster is stuffed, packed and loaded with talent.
Reason for pessimism: None. The Wildcats are heavy favorites and the title is theirs lose.
Coaches’ poll: 5th
Media poll: 6th
2012-2013: 10-21 (7-13, ninth in the Big Sky)
Starters returning/lost: 4/1
Reason for optimism: With the reigning Big Sky Freshman of the Year Venky Jois, the Eagles are on the upswing with third-year head coach Jim Hayford.
Reason for pessimism: Without a senior on the roster and three juniors, Hayford is relying on sophomores and freshmen to help Eastern take a big jump up the conference standings.
Idaho State Bengals
Coaches’ poll: 10th
Media poll: 11th
2012-2013: 6-24 (5-10, 11th in the Big Sky)
Starters returning/lost: 3/2
Reason for optimism: Bill Evans has more of “his guys” this year. The Bengals are bigger and stronger. Chris Hansen, Tomas Sanchez and Andre Hatchett are three proven contributors.
Reason for pessimism: ISU had to redshirt two players with size, and that was unexpected. Throw in injury concerns with junior college transfer Ajak Magot and the roster looks scary thin.
Montana Grizzlies
Coaches’ poll: 3rd
Media poll: 2nd
2012-2013: 25-7 (19-1, first in the Big Sky)
Starters returning/lost: 3/2
Reason for optimism: Kareem Jamar, the 2012-13 Big Sky MVP, is back for his senior year. He isn’t the flashiest player in the conference, just the best player.
Reason for pessimism: Not much. Will Cherry, a two-time defensive player of the year, is gone to graduation and so is Mathias Ward. But each of those guys missed chunks of last season for the Grizzlies. With Wayne Tinkle in his eighth season in Missoula, they seem to reload not rebuild.
Montana State Bobcats
Coaches’ poll: 6th
Media poll: 5th
2012-2013: 13-17 (10-10, fourth in the Big Sky)
Starters returning/lost: 3/2
Reason for optimism: Head coach Brad Huse points to continuity with nine letterwinners back from last season, hoping experience equates to more wins.
Reason for pessimism: In his first seven seasons at Montana State, Huse has never missed the postseason tournament. But it’s also a place where the ’Cats have — generally — woefully under performed.
North Dakota
Coaches’ poll: 2nd
Media poll: 3rd
2012-2013: 16-17 (12-18, third in the Big Sky)
Starters returning/lost: 4/1
Reason for optimism: Troy Huff, a 6-foot-5 senior guard, is the best pure scorer in the conference, and UND recruited size in the offseason to try and offset Weber State’s and Montana’s advantages under the basket.
Reason for pessimism: North Dakota finished six games behind second-place Weber State a year ago. Did the frontcourt improve enough to propel it into the Big Sky’s elite?
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
Coaches’ poll: 9th
Media poll: 7th
2012-2013: 11-21 (8-12, 7th in the Big Sky)
Starters returning/lost: 3/2
Reason for optimism: Sophomore guard DeWayne Russell averaged 14.4 points as a freshman, and he’s expected to contribute on the defensive end this season, too.
Reason for pessimism: Northern Arizona has already lost to an NAIA team, and early on at least, there’s a leadership void for the Lumberjacks.
Northern Colorado Bears
Coaches’ poll: 4th
Media poll: 4th
2012-2013: 13-18 (10-10, fifth in the Big Sky)
Starters returning/lost: 5/0
Reason for optimism: Senior-heavy and savvy, Northern Colorado has experience and talent across the roster.
Reason for pessimism: The Bears have struggled to guard the perimeter in the past. Head coach B.J. Hill has recruited with that in mind but, well, they haven’t done it yet.
Portland State Vikings
Coaches’ poll: 8th
Media poll: 9th
2012-2013: 8-20 (5-15, 11th in the Big Sky)
Starters returning/lost: 2/3
Reason for optimism: The Vikings have seven nonconference homes games, an astronomical amount compared to the typical Big Sky team that usually has anywhere from two to four.
Reason for pessimism: Portland State’s defense. The Vikings defensive field goal percentage (48.4 percent) ranked dead last a year ago, and evidence that will dramatically change is difficult to find.
Sacramento State Hornets
Coaches’ poll: 7th
Media poll: 8th
2012-2013: 14-15 (8-12, eighth in the Big Sky)
Starters returning/lost: 2/3
Reason for optimism: Head coach Brian Katz, in his sixth season, says Dylan Garrity, Mikh McKinney and Cody Demps will form the best backcourt he’s had at Sacramento State.
Reason for pessimism: The Hornets are on a five-year run of improving their win total in conference play, but losing three starters could stymie that trend.
Southern Utah Thunderbirds
Coaches’ poll: 11th
Media poll: 10th
2012-2013: 11-20 (8-12, ninth in the Big Sky)
Starters returning/lost: 2/3
Reason for optimism: Hard to find. There’s 10 new fresh faces for head coach Nick Robinson to mold, but Southern Utah is at the point where its recruiting first-year all-conference stars.
Reason for pessimism: The T-birds lost five seniors who started 88 games a year ago and accounted for 77.6 percent of their offense.
Weber State Wildcats
Coaches’ poll: 1st
Media poll: 1st
2012-2013: 30-7 (18-2, second in the Big Sky)
Starters returning/lost: 3/2
Reason for optimism: From the top to the bottom, Weber State’s roster is stuffed, packed and loaded with talent.
Reason for pessimism: None. The Wildcats are heavy favorites and the title is theirs lose.
Monday, November 4, 2013
Idaho State vs Dickinson State post-game blog
Idaho State 97, Dickinson State 54
For a full game recap, click hereFor a photo gallery, click here
Star of the game: Let’s see, four guys scored in double figures and seven different Bengals made 50 percent or more of their field goal attempts. But I’ll go with Andre Hatchett as star of the game No. 1. The senior started the night aggressively and scored 14 of his 20 points by half.
The big downside to Hatchett’s game Monday night — and really the entire team’s from an offensive perspective — is that he missed five of his nine free throw attempts. As a team, ISU shot 66 percent from the field (33-50) and 60.6 percent from the free-throw line (20-33).
Star of the game 2: Tomas Sanchez was great (16 points, seven assists, one turnover), Jeffrey Solarin showed great promise (14 points, five rebounds) and Chris Hansen’s shooting stroke is a thing of brilliance, but freshman Justin Smith was a major bright spot.
The Colorado Springs, Colo., native hit all three of his shots for nine points and he pulled down five boards and snagged three steals. Smith’s importance to the Bengals in 2013-14 can’t be overstated. Their depth took a major hit when they learned Ben Wilson and Andre Slavik both had to redshirt this season. Smith will have to play major minutes off the bench, and Monday turned out as a great start.
Reason for concern: Ajak Magot. Magot is the 6-foot-11 center who transferred in from Cochise junior college. Along with Ayibakuro Preh, he was a major piece slotted in to help Idaho State defend the paint and improve its rebounding numbers.
Magot hurt his foot in the first half, the same foot he broke this past summer. The extent of the injury is unknown (meaning, he could be fine), but there’s a concern it could be a recurring issue. If so, that’s killer.
Idaho State started Monday with nine players, and finished the night with eight. The official season hasn’t even begun yet, and the Bengals might be down to eight guys.
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