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

Finishing Touches

It is always a battle to determine where your team is and to evaluate all your players and how they fit in with the team.  We have a week to go before we leave for Carroll College and their tournament.  We play Carthage College on Friday night.  More on them later.  We have one more scrimmage which is coming at a good time.  Our first scrimmage was after 8 practices, now I think we will have a better gauge of where we are as a team.  Especially in the last week, we have shown steady improvement.  There is a saying, “You are what you emphasize.”  I think some of those things are starting to show through, and starting to look like a good basketball team.  Our young guys are also starting to get it going.  It is tough to start for them, but now they can feel they are starting to belong.

4 More Newcomers

James Shelman – Guard – Solon, Iowa 

James has improved so far this year.  He has not played a whole lot of organized basketball to this point, and it showed early on.  But now he is starting to hold his own.  He does a good job of leading the team into offense and will get better each week.

Jordan Mensen – Wing – Maquoketa Valley

Jordan was a solid wing player and athlete in high school.  He is an excellent shooter and knows the game real well.  As Jordan gets stronger, he will continue to find his way.  He has a very good shot, but needs to quicken it up a little bit so that he can get more of them off.  We will see some very good games from him on the JV team this year.  He has the ability to make a few shots in a row.

Austin Perry – Post – Norwalk

Austin is an excellent rebounder.  He comes from a good basketball program in high school, and was well coached.  He has to battle against Wes Nordquist everyday, and that can do nothing but get you better.  We are starting to notice him making some good plays and is improving all the time.  Austin has a good inside out game, and we need to get him to be more versatile.  As we get to that point, we will see even more strides.

Alex Satchell – Post – Colorado

Alex, is our first player in my program from Colorado.  It is a big change for him to leave home and be 10 hours from your house.  He has adapted very well.  He shoots the ball from 8 -15 feet very well.  He needs to add strength to his body to be able to handle himself around the basket.  This is always the biggest challenge for our young post players.  His defensive fundamentals are improving and we are glad he is here.

I love coaching this team and I can’t wait to get going.  What I love about all 27 guys is that they love to compete.  They aren’t afraid of the moment, and I hope that doesn’t change within the season.  This is a good group that will improve a lot as the season goes along.

Go Beavers!!!

Coach VH