Merry Christmas

After a not so great start, we have played much better.  With 5 wins in a row, it leaves a good taste in your mouth and we look forward to coming back after Christmas. 

The game against Superior was a tough game.  With their 7 footer inside, we just could not get him to miss much or make him move much.  The key for us, was to get the game into a track meet and we did that just enough for a win.  Our 2^nd group off the bench had a great night.  Nick Clark and Greg Sibenaller had excellent 1^st halves and got the game up and down.  Greg has played well the last 2 games.  He always goes hard and gives maximum effort.  Nick has another gear that the rest of our guys don’t have.  When he gets more consistent and a little more comfortable with the system, he will have a chance to be a special player.  The whole team passed the ball brilliantly.  It was not one of those nights that we shot lights out, so we had to grind the game a little bit.  We had to get extra possessions on the glass and we did that with 20 offensive rebounds.  On top of that, we had 22 assists and 7 turnovers, (just one in the 2^nd half) and just played unselfishly all night.  One of the traits that we take a lot of pride in, is our ability to execute late in a game.  The last 2 possessions of the game were perfect.  With the score tied at 65, we got Wes an easy basket from a great pass from Cole Darrow.  With the score tied at 67, we got great execution on an OB play with only 2 seconds left on the shot clock.  We ran it perfectly, and got a good look for Alex Savage with a nice inbounds pass from Mike Kaufmann.  Those are the keys to success.  Troy made his FT’s again, and it was a solid win for the Beavers.  As Jeff Stevens says, “Today is a great day to be a beaver!” 

We come back from Christmas Break on Christmas night.  We practice twice before we leave for California on the 26^th.  We look forward to the trip.  What I love about these trips, is the team chemistry that can be enhanced on the trip.  We do everything together in a strange place and it is a fun time for all.  We play 2 excellent teams.  Redlands is 7-2 and Pomona Pitzer is also 7-2.  Both teams have very good wins.  Redlands is who we play first and they average 93 points per game.  Looks like a lot of points will be on the board.  We like that pace, and it will come down to rebounding and defense.  A good challenge out of the blocks.  Pomona is coached by my good friend Coach Katsiafikas (cuzzuntite).  He does a great job with his program and has a wonderful attitude towards his players and towards the game.  Coach Kat grew up in the Northeast (Maine) and has lived his adult life in California. During the winter, I always wish I lived in California.

During this down week, I have had a chance to catch up on some paperwork, but also I spend a lot of time watching tape this week.  I have not had a chance to watch any team in our league to this point.  This week has given me a chance to see what is coming up in the conference.  It looks like it will be very balanced again.  I really enjoy the league race, and enjoy trying to prepare for each team.  Watching tape is one of my favorite things to do.  It consumes your mind 97% of the time. 

I want to wish all a Merry Christmas.  Hopefully you will have a chance to spend some time with your family and have a chance to relax. 

Go Beavers!!

Coach VH

Superior Comes to Town

It is Finals Week this week, and the guys have been very busy.  We had a voluntary practice each day this week at 2:30.  Each day we got 10 – 12 guys at practice and were very sharp.  We were all back together on Thursday and had another good practice.  The guys are very good competitors.  And it has gotten better each week. 

The game against Gustavus last week was a very good game.  Neither team could stop the other in the first half.  We scored, they scored, and the game was just going up and down the court.  This is an area that we need to continue to improve.  Our consistent defense is still not where we want it to be.  However, we were down 56-50 with 13 minutes left and for the next 12 minutes we held them to 1-13 from the field and forced 6 turnovers.  Certainly, this was our best stretch of the season and we needed every single stop we could get.  Our sophomore posts, Greg Sibenaller and Brett Heitkamp, both had their best games of the year.  It wasn’t because of any offensive work, it was because they made a huge difference on the defensive end.  We were not getting any stops, until this stretch and Greg got a 2 steals in a row, and Brett got some big rebounds and changed some shots around the basket.  These are the kinds of stretches that can do wonders for these guys and build their confidence.  Wes Nordquist also had a very good 2^nd half on the defensive end with his multiple rebounds, and he was unstoppable in the 1^st half on the offensive end.  His play got him “Player of the Week” in the Iowa Conference.  We also caught a couple of breaks down the stretch of the game.  We were up 3 with 5 seconds left and they made a shot, and I thought nothing of it, as I thought it was a ‘3’, but his foot was on the line, so we are still up 1.  Gustavus called time out and I was ready to set up a play to go the length of the floor to get a shot, but someone in the huddle said we were still up 1.  I had to go check with the officials to make sure that was right.  Therefore, I needed to get Troy into the game for FT’s.  During the last week, we were running for missed FT’s in practice as all 14 guys had to shoot 2.  We ran an up and back for each miss.  Troy, arguably our best FT shooter missed both FT’s 2 days in a row.  The guys were giving him a lot of grief, because they expect they won’t run because Troy always makes them.  Kyle Hooks was especially hard on his teammate.  So when Troy gets fouled up 1 with 4 seconds left and it is a 1 n 1, all the guys are sitting on the bench wondering if there is any way he makes these.  Troy even admitted after the game that the nerves were a little high.  I told him to just picture his roommate, Wes in his underwear.  He made them both.  And the Gustavus guard made the ‘3’ to tie after the horn.  A good win for the Beavers.  Both the JV and the Varsity played very good games and got wins.  Joe Frost had his best JV game of the year, as did Bobby Ivey. 

Superior brings a very good basketball team to town.  They got some tough guards that can make plays, and they have a 7 footer that is solid.  He has only 5 TO’s all year.  A very good passer and shoots a good percentage.  We will have to keep improving on the defensive end to make this game go our way.  We play like we have practiced this week, and we will be fine. 

Go Beavers!!

Coach VH

Finals Week Coming Up

This week the guys have had a lot of homework, projects, and tests.  It is always a stressful week for our guys.  With 3 JV games this week, we have shortened things up a little bit.  We had a 45 minute practice on Wednesday, and will have another short one today, as we travel to Gustavus in the morning for a JV/V game.  Gustavus always is a tough game.  They have another tough team this year.  They are a nice physical team with big guards.  It will be a great challenge for our team.

Last week, was one of the best weeks we have had in our program in a long time.  We went 3-0 and played well all 3 nights.  The best game was on Friday night at Northwestern in St. Paul.  They came in at 5-0 and had some real quality wins.  They are an impressive offensive basketball team.  It was one of those rare occasions, where I could tell our focus was very good in our short practice on Thursday, and in the locker room before the game.  I really thought we would play well.  We played great.  Offensively, we shared the basketball and shot the basketball brilliantly.  When we pass like that, we are a very good basketball team.  We had the same focus the next day, and came home with an excellent trip.  All of our guys played well, but it was great to see Troy shoot the ball excellent last week.  He had a great rhythm about him.  I am so happy for how he has come off his lost season last year.  He does come off the bench for us, but I love how he comes off the bench.  He is a starter in my book, but he gives us a great spark off the bench when he comes in.  At Crown, he came in and put it on them.  That is what leadership is about and he is providing that.  The young guys are coming along also.  Cole Darrow had an excellent week.  He has improved each week, and that is all we are asking.  Alex Savage is playing very well.  Has not shot the ball quite like he wants, but man is he a good passer and has a nice feel on the floor.  Brett Heitkamp and Greg Sibenaller are improving also.  Brett guarded the 7 footer and did a great job on Saturday, and Greg always comes out with great intensity.  They are young with a lot of potential. 

We are building a new addition onto our house.  I know what you are saying.  Your kids leave, and NOW you add onto the house.  It doesn’t make sense, but we are excited about it.  Barb gets the bathroom she has always wanted, and we get the walk in closet we have always wanted.  You will be able to store a small corvette in that closet.  A new bedroom and an extension onto our family room also will come with it.  And yes, I get a brand new TV.  Since the room will be bigger, I get a great big TV, and I want it to be a monster.  Am I greedy?  Yes I am.  If my wife gets a new bathroom, a new porch, and a new bedroom, surely, I can expect a new TV.  I hope you are watching Burn Notice on USA.  A great show, with a lot of drama.  Also the Big Bang Theory is always our favorite.

How about my thoughts on the 138 point performance by the player from Grinnell.  I think it is a little crazy.  I don’t like keeping one guys on one side of the floor to cherry pick, and I don’t like putting it on a team that is very inferior like Faith Baptist was that night.  And then getting a guy 108 shots in that situation is a little crazy.  But give the kid credit, he made the shots, and he made some tough shots.  And in the end, Grinnell is getting exactly what they want.  Some notoriety and big time press.  ESPN isn’t talking about BVU basketball any time soon.  They are talking about Grinnell.  That is a great thing for them.  The coaching staff at Grinnell are awesome.  They are very nice guys and seriously what they do with their program is astounding.  No one else does it, and when they try, they don’t stick with it.  Give them credit.

Jayson has a game at Pocahontas tonight, and his team is 2-1.  They are off to a good start.  This will be a tough game tonight, but look forward to it.  Seriously, it feels good to yell at refs once in awhile, and you know it won’t come back to haunt you.  I do it at Gustavus tomorrow, and there are repurcussions to a coach getting pissy.  But at Jayson’s game on Tuesday, I can tell the officials that “you are going to have to be a lot better than that tonight.”  It actually feels good to let it out once in awhile.  I did apologize to my friends in front of me though.  I was a little loud.  I shut up in the 2^nd half.

Go Beavers!!!

Coach VH

Happy Thanksgiving

It is always busy when you start a new season.  We have been to Milwaukee and Minneapolis in 5 days.  We always enjoy road trips.  It is Wednesday after practice and we will take tomorrow off and then get back Friday afternoon.  We had a good day in practice today.  We competed well as we went a little harder the day after a game today.  We need some clean up work, and without the JV guys around, today was the day to do it.

Our record is 1-2, but we have played 5 solid halves of basketball, and one not very good half.  Last week, we played a very good Carthage team, and they had a very big frontline.  We just did not get the kind of offense we wanted, but we played a good defensive game, and held them down like we were hoping.  We came back the next afternoon with a lot of fire and enthusiasm, and got up 20-4 against Concordia, and then had to fight them off down the stretch.  Wes Nordquist was named all tournament, and it was well deserved.  We had some good performances by different guys, but a little  inconsistent.  All in all a good start.

Last night, we went to Bethel, and just really played poorly defensively in the first half.  The things we have tried to do this year, went out the window in this half.  I am not making excuses, but you ask any coach, and there is going to be a half like this early in the first 5 or 6 games. It happens about every year. It takes practice to get more consistent, and that is what November and December are for.  The 2^nd half was an excellent half.  We put together a 26-5 run to get tied, but could not sustain it.  But proud of our effort and fortitude.  Taylor Hall, a 6’8” player for Bethel has been real tough so far averaging 33 points per game.  He did it to us last night also.  He was phenominal.  He made 3’s and scored around the rim.  Dustin Kruse had his best game in a Beaver uniform. 

Now we play the 15^th ranked team in the country, Wisconsin Stevens Point, at home.  We look forward to putting the home uniforms on for the first time.  We will have to play a real good game for us to be successful.  I love playing these games.  It really stretches you, and makes you work for everything.  These are the games that can get you ready for January and February. 

We lifted after practice today, and I just love our guys.  They have such great attitudes and are a blast to be around.  They truly care about each other, and have a strong bond.  This bond will help us down the road as we keep improving. 

Our JV team won their first game last night also.  They won 77-70.  2 weeks ago, I was worried about our team and how good we could be, but lately, we have practiced much better and the JV team has put up a better fight against the varsity.  It showed on Tuesday at Bethel.  Tyler Kastantin and Grady Gallagher really played well as did the rest of the team.

I will give my thoughts on the 138 point effort by the player from Grinnell next time I write.  I am not sure how I feel about that.  But I must say, that getting up 108 shots in one game by one individual is a shooters dream.  How many points would I score tomorrow if I got 108 shots up in one game.  First of all, I would look darn good in a uniform.  Yes I would wear a T-shirt underneath!!  It would be a blessing to wear the long shorts.  Back in my day, I wore the shorts that barely covered anything.  (Chicks really dug that back then)  But I would feel good about these shorts and I believe that if I had that Grinnell uniform on, had my head shaved well, had that Tshirt on, and they promised that they would get me 108 shots, I would make 6-20 2’s and make 15 -88 3’s for exactly 57 points.  Not bad for an old 47 year old guy who used to be able to shoot. 

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Go Beavers!!

Coach VH

Game Time

Sitting in our hotel room in Dubuque this morning.  We have a meeting in my room in about 20 minutes before we take off the rest of the way to Milwaukee.  I love playing a tough schedule.  It really gives you a good gauge of where you are.  Carthage will be one of the best teams we play this year.  They are long and have a nice collection of guards also.  They are an impressive bunch.  This is a great challenge for our team.  When you don’t know a whole lot about another team, it is real important to concentrate on the things that you do, and do them well.  We have spent very little time on Carthage, and spent a lot of time on us, and getting better.  In the last 2 weeks, we have improved a lot, and had some guys really start to play well consistently.  We have good leadership, and we have guys that love to compete.  It will be a fun night for us.  The first game is always special.

4 more newcomers

Nick Clark – G – St. Edmond (Fort Dodge)

Nick will get playing time for us on the varsity.  He is a great competitor.  He does a nice job guarding the ball up and down the floor as a point guard.  He is a winner.  He has played well in the scrimmages and isn’t scared.  I love that about him.  He was the 2A player of the year last year, and his team got 2^nd in State.  He knows what it takes to win, and was well coached in high school also.  I am sure that as he improves, he will become an outstanding leader, because he is a good example for all. 

Ryan Green – F – Dowling Catholic

Ryan is an excellent communicator and roots on his teammates very well.  He is an excellent teammate.  He has really improved in just a couple of weeks.  He is not scared of the older guys and has a really nice pull up game.  He competes on the glass, and is someone that can be an excellent leader down the road.  We are glad he is here.

Kyler Huisman – G – Central Lyon

Kyler is an excellent shooter.  He made a lot of 3’s last year at Central Lyon, and has continued that here.  As he continues to get stronger, he will be better and better.  He needs to get better at the other parts of his game, but if you can shoot, it is always a great start. 

Aaron Lyons – G – Rippey

Aaron is a great personality on the team.  He is one of those guys that gets along with everyone.  His game has improved also.  He is a good shooter, and has improved his defense each week.  His leadership will be needed on the JV team this year.

Just a note, that last time I talked about Alex Satchell from Colorado.  I wrote Alex Savage’s name however, so my fault.  Alex Satchell is center from Colorado.

GO Beavers!!!

Coach VH