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Show Thursday, March 5, 1981 THE SENTINEL Page 2 Say local players ... Backcourt warriors have place in the scheme of things By Robert Mickelson "for the high percentage shot 1 Sentinel Staff . When" one conjures up the image of basketball players the picture that most often comes to mind is that of a mass of highly active pituitary cases, a forest of tall timber in which those with less physical stature fear to tread. But, many times overlooked are the little gjys of the game, the guards who bring the ball up the court against the press, pass the ball inside for the high percentage shot, who take the outside shot when they get it, read the defences, set up the offenses, defend against the break, and a myriad of other essential services. : No where is the interplay of the inside and outside portions of the game so vividly represented than aY Bingham High. Picture this for a high school front line, 71", 6'9", and 6'6". Few colleges start that ipuch size inside, but in spite of the Miners' height, the roll of the guards is equally important, perhaps more so. "We have to get the ball inside," rtotes Bingham guard Rod Gust, while on offense then be ready to take the outlet pass off the defensive boards for the fast break. When teams sag inside to defend against our big men, we have to take the open shot. If the other stresses concept of working "Our coach the team everyone together." guys don't respect the outside shot, they can jam the middle and make it harder for our inside people to be effective." Despite the somewhat more easily recognizeable achievements of the offensive end of the court, Gust says he still prefers to play defense, a feeling shared by one of his back court companions, senior Troy Fullmer. "I'm usually the sixth or seventh man sent into the game and I usually draw our opponent's toughest offensive player," relates Fullmer. "I like that kind of a challenge." Among those most ready to voice their appreciation of the guards' play are the two tallest trees in the Miners' forest. "The guards are much more effective at bringing the ball up the court than bigger players," adds 6'9" junior postman Alan Pollard. "We need them to pass the ball into us." His 7'1" younger brother, sophomore Carl Pollard, feels it's a case of "We have to be in a position to get the pass and be open on offense, while they look to us to get the defensive rebounds to start the break." Moving from the tallest players in the area to one of the smallest, finds us at Jordan High and 5'6" junior guard Jimmy Nelson. "Speed and quickness are my major assets," says Nelson. "I either have to out run my opponents or run around them. I have to remember what I do best, passing from the point and running the fast break on offense, while putting pressure on the ball and laying back against the break on defen- SC. j Although Nelson classifies himself more of a point guard and his running mate 6' senior' Lee Broadhead a shooter, both average a lot of assists. "Our coach (Hal Hale) stresses the team adds concept," Broadhead, "of everyone working together. He never tries to anyone's skills." Another place where the classic quarterback and shooter concept is alive and well is Brighton High, where Brent Wade is consistently among the leading scorers for the sur-pre- ss "We don't care who scores as long as we' win." like defense. Quick players Hillcest's Eric Varoz are the hardest for me to guard, but the toughest player I've faced all year is my teammate Darin in practice." ' ' se," comments Wade, "while I try to get the outside shot if the middle is clogged and take the lay-i- n or pull up jumper off the break. On defense I try to put a trap on the other guys to make them throw a bad pass." "We don't care who scores as long as we win," states Pardoe. One of this year's younger players to have made himself a name on the guard line is Alta sophomore Darin Long. Long has provided much of the Hawks' outside scoring punch and has been an active and aggressive who prefers to go it defen-sema- , Varoz' quickness is certainly no secret to Husky fans, as the 6' senior uses that ability to keep his teammates moving. "We can't let anybody stand still," informs Varoz. "If you don't move, you can't get open." "Passing the ball around is especially important against a taller team," injects another senior guard, 6'2" Jim Phillips. "You have to be patient on offense and get the good shot to compensate for a lack of height." It's the humble opinion of many basketball fans around the distric-tn- , including that of this reporter, that this season has produced a bumper crop of good guards. Take your eyes off the behemoths under the bucket for a moment one of these next nights and see if you don't agree. n, man-to-ma- n. "With a man defense everyone can help each other out," explains Long, "but, when you're all alone out on the point playing a zone, you always have to worry about what's going on behind your back." Chuck Cutler, a 6'1" junior, is another Hawk who likes to play defense. Bengals and Dirk Pardoe is the undisputed assist champ. "Dirk is more the play maker on offense and the gambler on defen "I'm working more on my shooting and my ability to read other team's defenses," Cutler says, "but, I'm still strongest on Miners get second 111 in gals' basketball ; Bingham High finished team out of Myers, a very busy week of Canada in a special exwomen's basketball ac- change match with the tion the Miners losing a close one by winning Jana Pilcher led second place spot in the Bingham in scoring with Region Two with a 16, while Kim Searle adrecord. The second place nod ded 13 and Beth Walker means the lady Miners 11. Bingham Tuesday, state comopen finished then one game petition at 2:30 p.m. on another against played Thursday, March 5, at West High School, again- Alta. The Miners and st the winner of the Hawks finished the final five minutes of a blackRegion One number two out shortened contest Region Three number which Bingham won four Tuesday contest. Searle had 26 points in Bingham jumped into one followed by Beth this action Monday against a Walker with 20, Jody Borich 14, and Pilcher 10.. In the regularly scheduled game, Bingham again got by Alta Searle scored 16 and Borich 11. sign-up- s Bingham wound up the week by nipping Kearns thriller on ThurSign-up- s for summer in a season of West Jordan sday. A pair of free-throWBBA baseball have by Beth Walker been scheduled for . with 38 seconds iced the for Bingham. Smith's Food King, 7046 game S. Redwood Road on Searle had 14 points, Friday and Saturday, Walker 13, and Pilcher 12. Mar. 7 and at 5:30 to 8 p.m. both Fridays Alta gymnasts and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both host Brighton Saturdays. Alta High's gymnastics Boys and girls between the ages of nine and 14 team will follow their are eligible. There will be opening contest at home a $21 registration fee and against Murray Tuesday those signing up must by hosting Region Two produce a birth cer- contender Brighton at tificate as proof of age. 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Games will be played Mar. 4. Monday through ThurTELL US sday at the West Jordan How many times have park. For more information you thought "That those interested can call should be in the paper." or either It can be. Phone 57-5- 6-- 2 4-- A 70-5- ) JS$ i " W.J. sots WBBA J 55-4- 50-4- 9 13-1- 6-- Teamwork Brighton backcourt stalwart Brent Wade, number 35, gives a hand to teammate center Josh Burgon in trying to box in Miner's Talin Bingham. 561-71- 561-176- 7. Challenging guard Darin Long works the boards With 6'9" Bingham junior Alan Pollard. is only just a sophomore at Alta. JHawk ng rpniME Newly Remodeled j NOW OPEN f Redwood Inn 7777 S. Redwood Rd. West Jordan 561-088- 1 Specials 14 oz. i $595 RIB Steak Mon., Toes., Wed. $C95 Prime Rib Fri.&Sat. 0 p.m. Open Sunday 7 a.m. 8 p.m. -- s PA class from the Division of Continuing Education at the University of Utah may just be the high point of your education. Why? Because when you go to school to satisfy yourself, you get more out of it and fulfillment, or just plain fun! pFor a free spring quarter Class Edition classes that can take you Your education higher, call us at will thank you and so do we. listing 900-plu- s 581-709- 4. Like career development, personal growth Continuing Education University Of Utah 255-355- 6. |