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Show Cyan Magenta Yellow Black Wednesday, December 12, 2007 A7 Sanpete Messenger/Gunnison Valley Edition Bulldogs split games against Beaver and South Summit By Sean Hales Associate editor GUNNISON—The Bulldog is not yet in shape, physically or mentally, according to Gunnison basketball head coach Jeremy Smith. But it’s early yet in the season, he said. About the team’s physical state he said, “We’re definitely not a 32-minute team … to go that kind of speed … yet.” But, he added, “when we have our legs we’ll hang with a team that’s supposed to pound us.” Mentally, he said, the team needs to be able to maintain focus and intensity and execute offensive and defensive game plans under pressure. “That just comes with game experience,” he said. Results in two games last week, a win over Beaver, 77-69, on Wednesday and a loss to South Summit, 5472, on Friday, support him. Against Beaver, the Bulldogs executed well early on, grabbing rebounds, making buckets and forcing turnovers while they roared to SEAN HALES / MESSENGER PHOTO Bulldog Taylor Newman makes a run in game against So. Summit. a 20-point lead, 31-11 after the first quarter. However, Beaver refused to go down quietly, and, buoyed up by a slow decline in Gunnison’s offense and defense, won every subsequent quarter. “They [Beaver] really started getting offensive boards,” Smith said, adding that his team missed 10 free throws down the stretch and lacked intensity and focus. Gunnison was led by the usual suspects as Kevin Nay poured in 25 points and Derrick Christensen followed with 18 points, including two 3-pointers. Bryant Davis helped the cause, reaching double-digit scoring with 11, also with two 3pointers. Despite offensive struggles late in the game, the Bulldogs shot 56 percent. Gunnison’s defense kept Beaver in check, however, pulling down 20 defensive rebounds in the game, recording four blocks (three by Erik Rosenvall) and 15 steals. “I was extremely pleased with Erik,” said Smith. “He seems to be getting better every game.” However, the winning effort against Beaver may have played a role in the loss to South Summit. “There were maybe some tired legs from Beaver,” Smith said. “Our focus [offensively] is to be hard to guard,” he added. But, Smith said, his motion offense had little motion in it. Also, he noted, while Gunnison’s defense kept the ball on the perimeter and contested shots early, as the game wore on it became easier for the Wildcats to move the ball inside, as evidenced by center Brayden Stembridge’s 25 points. SEAN HALES / MESSENGER PHOTO Erik Rosenvall gets one of his three blocks last week against Beaver. Stembridge also helped hold Nay to just 18 points (he averaged 25 a game before the contest), while Christensen managed nine. Rosenvall picked up some of the slack and put in 14. But maybe just as much, Smith said, was the pressure to win against a quality opponent. Against the Wildcats Gunnison recorded more than 20 turnovers, losing the ball off the dribble or forcing passes, often by Christensen. “He felt like he had to do a little more than we needed him to,” said Smith. “They really wanted to win that game really bad … maybe it was too much pressure.” Smith said if the team can limit turnovers and watch their defensive rotations, they would be in good shape, as Gunnison has been shooting around 50 percent. “I’m pleased with their effort, now I just want them to play smarter,” Smith said. “I’m optimistic about our future, even though our sails fell off a bit last week.” Gunnison will be on the road for both games this week, as they face North Sanpete in Mt. Pleasant on Wednesday and travel to Nephi to take on the Wasps on Friday. The Hawks are 2-3 with wins over North Sevier and Grantsville and losses to South Sevier, Cedar and Uintah, and average 60 points per game. Juab is also 2-3 with wins over North Sevier and Millard and losses to Waterford, South Sevier and Manti. The Wasps are averaging 47 points per game. Both games will start at 7 p.m. |