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Post by Raiderfan on Dec 8, 2007 15:41:27 GMT -5
WOW!!! That was well said BigD!!!!
You know I forgot to mention Troy as one of our TERRIFIC returning guards for next year..........my bad Troy. I realize that Troy is still feeling his way at the D1 level but make no mistake about it, the kid is a player! He has one of the sweetest shots on the team and their will be a game or 2 yet this year where he is going to step up and have a big game.
BigD, you're right about Grote being able to play multiple positions. He averaged 9.9 ppg as a freshman in the A10 so he most definitely is a proven player at this level.
Jeron Lewis I think is going to be a wonderful piece to next years puzzle.
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Post by Big D on Dec 9, 2007 9:53:11 GMT -5
One other thought about our recruits that has been driving me nuts the last few years. We have way too many fans that write off our recruits if they don't come in and become instant impact players. I am sick and tired of reading post by fans on both boards criticizing our recruits before they ever step foot on campus or early in their freshman season.
The most recent examples of this are Gavin, Todd Brown, and Scottie Wilson. Todd Brown was criticized his entire senior year of HS because he didn't put up huge numbers. Even at the beginning of last season, he was written off by many fans because he wasn't seeing many minutes on the court. It is amazing how so many fans forget that now that he is our leading scorer. Scottie Wilson was also a whipping boy for several fans his first season at WSU. Scottie has improved by leaps and bounds each year he has been here and is now a double digit scorer for us.
Have faith that our coaches know what they are doing and have a little patients. BCS programs land instant impact players. We recruit kids with potential and hope that they have the work ethic needed to turn into great players. Our coaches can spot talent and know how to develop it.
Go Raiders and welcome Jeron Lewis.
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Post by Raiderdog on Dec 9, 2007 11:08:58 GMT -5
Agree Big D. Remember Todd taking a beating due to his "low" numbers as a senior and how it was a wasted scholie and he'd never see the court and crap like that. It's rediculous. Anyway, welcome Jeron.....we love the big fella's!!
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Post by Big D on Dec 11, 2007 22:30:18 GMT -5
Big D, what is your early take on Cooper Land? You think this is just the typical slow start and he'll be a good player eventually? I wonder why Pressley is redshirting and not Land, but Brownell knows exactly what he's doing. I think Cooper is adjusting to the speed of the game and the size difference between HS and college ball. In HS, Cooper was usually the tallest guy on the court. He could take his time shooting a 3 because most opposing centers didn't want to guard him out at the 3 point line. Inside he was taller than everyone else and could just grab a rebound and shot over the player defending him. At the college level he is learning that he needs to be able to shoot that three with a hand in his face. He also is learning to get rid of the ball quicker. (I think he has been blocked 2-3 times while attempting a 3 this year). Inside, he is learning that he isn't tall enough or athletic enough to grab a rebound and go right back up with his shot. He is a 210-215 eighteen y/o playing against 20-22 y/o men that outweigh him by 15-50 pounds. He is going to add weight over the next few years. Tonight he learned how to get open to take that 3 point shot. Over the course of the year, he is going to learn more post moves to create a shot down low. He is more athletic than JP. JP has learned how to work around to the basket to create a shot. Cooper will too. I love his offensive fearlessness. Even though he has been beaten up on a little under the basket this year, he keeps right on coming back. Defensively, he is still learning. Six games into last season, everyone looked lost. This year we have a handful of upperclassmen that know what they are doing and the new guys really stick out because they are still learning. I think he is doing just fine and will continue to improve as the season progresses. If his work ethic is as big as his heart, I think we have a keeper.
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Post by wsu97 on Dec 11, 2007 22:47:11 GMT -5
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Post by wsu97 on Dec 12, 2007 21:42:27 GMT -5
Plainsmen 12-2 Into Break Dec. 12, 2007 The Northeastern Junior College (NJC) Plainsmen rolled into the Salt Lake City, Utah, Tournament last weekend with a 12-0 record and ranked fourth in the nation. When the tournament concluded NJC had suffered its first two losses of the season and dropped to 15th in the nation this week. The Plainsmen opened the tournament Thursday against 19th ranked North Idaho College and lost by an 87-81 score. NJC jumped out to a 17-4 lead early in the first half, but could not hold on as North Idaho came back in the final 20 minutes to hand the Plainsmen their first loss of the season. On Friday NJC got back on the winning track with a 91-70 victory over Colorado Northwestern College. But on Saturday the Plainsmen faced eighth ranked Salt Lake City Community College and fell by an 82-61 score. NJC does close out the 2007 portion of its schedule with a 13-2 mark, but Coach Eddie Trenkle would liked to have seen a better performance by his team in the Salt Lake City Classic. "The teams we faced played hard, knocked down their shots and did the things they needed to do to beat us," he said. "I think we went into the tournament thinking the other teams would roll over. But they played to win, and we didn't. "Against North Idaho we got out to a big lead and in the second half they came back and handed it to us. I think that our kids thought they would roll over in the second half, but they didn't and it was a learning experience for us." NJC did re-group on Friday to get the win over Colorado Northwestern by 21 points. "Nothing against Colorado Northwestern, but they were a team that we should have beat worse than we did," Trenkle said. "We didn't play hard, and they did." That style of play could have carried over into the finale on Saturday as the Plainsmen fell to Salt Lake City Community College. "Salt Lake made us look bad," Trenkle pointed out. "We found out that we have to grow up and that we are too content on pointing fingers at each other on individual mistakes. The players can't handle criticism from each other or the coaching staff. If that doesn't change we could lose six out of the next seven games we play, counting the ones we just played." In Thursday's game against North Idaho, sophomore Jeron Lewis scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead NJC in both categories. Sophomore Troy Smith followed with 16 points and 8 rebounds, freshman Alex Garcia netted 15 points, sophomores Mike Dominguez and Lawrence Tyson 9 each, sophomore DeRay Wilson 8 and freshman A.J. Wilson 4. In Friday's win over Colorado Northwestern, A.J. Wilson led with 20 points, Lewis and DeRay Wilson 15 each, Dominguez 12, sophomore Eric Miller 11, Smith and Tyson 8 each and freshman DeMario Partee 2. A.J. Wilson grabbed 15 rebounds and DeRay Wilson handed out 7 assists. In the finale Saturday against Salt Lake City, Smith scored 17 points, DeRay Wilson 16, Dominguez 9, Garcia 8, Tyson 5 and 2 each for Lewis, A.J. Wilson and sophomore Kylor Dossett. Smith and Miller each had 7 rebounds. NJC will take a month off before returning to action Mon., Jan. 7 at home against Frank Phillips, Tex., Community College. "There are some things the kids need to work on during the break," Trenkle said. "First they have to work on getting along. We're not one of those teams that fight and argue with each other, but we can't accept criticism from other teammates. "You have to be able to handle that. Last year's team did and so do other teams that are successful. But I knew that this group of kids would have learning experiences, and we had a big target on our backs by being ranked fourth in the nation going to Salt Lake City. I don't think the kids understood that then, but I think they do now." Trenkle is confident the Plainsmen will come back from the holiday break ready to play. "This team will bounce back," he predicted. "We have a bunch of new players who have never tasted success like this, and it's a different thing for them. "All of these kids want to win. We just have to remember what got us to being ranked fourth in the nation. We were humbled after our performance over the weekend, but it was a great learning experience and we should use it that way." Trenkle pointed out that his team also crammed all 15 games into a short period of time, including hosting three tournaments, traveling for two other tournaments and playing three more road games. "This year we stacked 15 games in just a little over a month, and that's part of the reason why we have looked so lackluster at times," he said. "We haven't had many days off since we started practicing in October and the kids are tired. "When we get back from the break we'll be playing two games a week, which is where we should be." After the Jan. 7 game against Frank Phillips, NJC will turn right around on Tues., Jan. 8 to host North Platte, Neb. Community College. gonjc.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/121207aaa.html
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Post by Tipp City Raider on Dec 20, 2007 22:48:07 GMT -5
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Post by Willie on Dec 31, 2007 9:49:31 GMT -5
Why hasn't there been any updates on Lewis? Is he hurt or just not playing?
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Post by wsu97 on Dec 31, 2007 9:54:15 GMT -5
Ther has been nothing new to report. Northeastern's last game was 12/08/07. They have been on an extended break. There next game isn't until 1/07/08 vs Frank Phillips College.
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Post by keithfromxenia on Dec 31, 2007 22:45:36 GMT -5
speaking of scc blitz, i wonder if the raiders have any interest in, and any shot at, mark anderson. he appears to be tearing it up there. i know he was a student at wsu last year. it would sure be nice to sign a quality local player. GO RAIDERS!!
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Post by Big D on Dec 31, 2007 23:35:40 GMT -5
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Post by wsu97 on Jan 8, 2008 21:31:33 GMT -5
Plainsmen Play Tough in Win Jan. 8, 2008 STERLING -- There were a lot of factors in Monday night's game that were similar to the North Idaho game that the Northeastern Junior College Plainsmen lost at the Salt Lake Classic before the Christmas break. First, they opponent was a good team. The Plainsmen had a halftime lead and lost it. North Idaho ran off a 12-2 run, while Frank Phillips recorded a 14-4 run. Finally, both teams were active on the rebounds. The only difference between the two is that, this time, the team pulled out the win. NJC grabbed the lead for good with 3:09 to play on a basket by sophomore Jeron Lewis, as the team turned in a 88-82 victory at the Bank of Colorado Event Center. The Plainsmen, ranked 15th in the nation, improved to 14-2 this season, while Frank Phillips drops to 12-5. "I was happy with the guys, mainly because this was the same type of game as the North Idaho game," NJC head men's basketball coach Eddie Trenkle said. "It was the same game and this time we found ways to pull it out. I think the guys have finally figured it out." Frank Phillips is a solid team that can shoot the ball well and proved that early, matching every basket Northeastern connected on. The game began with a technical foul. Even before the tip-off, NJC led 1-0. After a pair of free throws by Alex Garcia-Mendoza to tie the game for the fifth time at nine apiece, sophomore Mike Dominguez took a charge on defense, which translated into a basket by sophomore Tyson Lawrence. Garcia-Mendoza would tack on another score, but Frank Phillips tied the game right back at 15. Back to back buckets by freshman A.J. Wilson, including a monster dunk, gave his team a short 23-20 lead. Dominguez would later hit a three-pointer to break another tie at 35-all. Sophomore Troy Smith connected on a three-point play the untraditional way, making one of two free throws and rebounding his own miss for two points. NJC would hold tight to a 41-40 lead at halftime. The team kept the small lead for a little while to begin the second half, as a tip in by sophomore Eric Miller gave his team a 47-45 lead. The run for Frank Phillips would begin from there, a 14-4 run partially credited to turnovers and miss shots by NJC. Coach Trenkle called a time out with 13:19 to play, down 59-51. "I told the guys that we just had to take it one possession at a time," Trenkle recalls during the time out. "There is time on the clock, just take it one possession, one rebound at a time." That is exactly what they did. Smith connected on a three-point play, and Lewis recorded three-straight scores underneath. A layup by Garcia-Mendoza tied the game at 66, still with 8:41 remaining. Frank Phillips would increase their lead to six points, but another tip-in by Miller would tie it again at 76 with under five minutes to go. Lewis made a shot to put his team up 80-78 and a nice look from Dominguez to Smith on the next possession gave the Plainsmen a four point lead. Free throws and another thunderous dunk by Wilson capped off the win for Northeastern, a win that featured 19 ties before the team pulled it out. "I think after playing at the Salt Lake tournament, we learned most how to play with diversity," Trenkle said. "Anyone could tell at Salt Lake that we were frustrated. Now the guys never give up, even when they are playing down, which is what last year's team was all about." The Plainsmen, along with the Plainswomen, will had a tough stretch of games when they play three games in the next five days before returning home. NJC travels north to play North Platte Community College today, followed by a trip to Sheridan (Wyo.) Community College on Friday, Jan. 11. They play Casper College on Saturday, before returning home Tuesday, Jan 15 against Eastern Wyoming College. gonjc.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/010808aaa.html
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Post by wsu97 on Jan 15, 2008 21:30:17 GMT -5
Plainsmen play tough, struggle in Casper Jan. 15, 2008 The Plainsmen of Northeastern Junior College, a team that finished seventh in Nationals a year ago, is a team that is playing with a target on its back, and everyone wants a piece. In a tough trip north to Wyoming over the weekend, the team split the two contests between Sheridan College and Casper College. NJC beat Sheridan, ending their impressive home streak, 73-64. The following day, Northeastern was defeated by Casper College 74-69 in overtime. The Plainsmen now hold a 14-3 record this season. "I've always felt that with this group, if we can get everything together, we are the best team in the region," NJC men's basketball coach Eddie Trenkle said. "People have already seen how good we can be. With 11 new kids on a team, there will be times where we struggle, and we hit some of those against Casper." Against Sheridan, a team that carried an impressive home winning streak, NJC actually had some work to do early on, down 32-28 at halftime. The team stuck together and outscored their opponent 45-32 in the second half to earn the win. Northeastern shot 60 percent in the final half. Sophomore Troy Smith added another solid game to his resume, going for 22 points and recorded three steals. Smith shot 10-13 from the free throw line. Lawrence Tyson added 12 points in the win. "Sheridan was extremely tough to beat," Trenkle said. "Our kids have the confidence knowing that we beat them on their home court for the next time we have to play them." After the big win, the team played Casper College and appeared to start off where they left off in Sheridan. The team began the game on a 13-1 run but only managed to score 19 points in the half. NJC was down 24-19 at the break. Northeastern would take the lead at 30-29 on a shot by DeRay Wilson, but Casper would soon open up a double-digit lead. To the Plainsmen's credit, from the 10:39 mark all the way to the end of regulation, they would run a 25-14 run to force overtime, locked in a 59-59 tie. After playing close early on, Casper jumped out to a small lead, that continued to get bigger, as they nailed free throws down the stretch. "I'm not the type of guy that likes to lose in a learning experience," Trenkle said. "This was a learning experience for us. If we beat them next time, then it was a positive learning experience." Leading the way Saturday night was Mike Dominguez, who shot the ball really well in the second half. He finished with 19 points, nailing five from deep. Jeron Lewis had 10 points, while Eric Miller finished with 11 rebounds. The lost was the first to a Region IX team since March 10, 2006, in the title game against Sheridan College. NJC returns to action tonight against Eastern Wyoming College at the Bank of Colorado Event Center at 7:30 p.m. Northeastern beat Eastern Wyoming 75-57 in an earlier meeting, but Coach says it, "won't be an easy game. The team is physical and can shoot the ball." gonjc.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/011508aab.html
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Post by wsu97 on Jan 16, 2008 22:42:08 GMT -5
NJC play tough down the stretch Jan. 16, 2008 By Anthony Arroyo Journal-Advocate sports reporter STERLING -- In the first meeting between the Northeaster Junior College Plainsmen and the Eastern Wyoming Lancers, NJC took advantage of missed shots by their opponent, on their way to a double-digit victory. This time, Eastern Wyoming was making their shots. But the Plainsmen stayed tough down the stretch and not even an accidental fire alarm pull could stop them. Northeastern was victorious 63-61 at the Bank of Colorado Event Center, improving to 17-3 overall and 8-0 on their home court. "Home games are the ones your supposed to win," NJC men's head coach Eddie Trenkle said in an interview earlier this season. "My philosophy is if you win your home games and at least half your road games, you're a good team." Northeastern didn't show who the better team early on, as the Lancers were simply on fire, scoring the first eight points of the game. That didn't suit well with sophomore Mike Dominguez as he came right back, draining consecutive three-pointers to tie the game after freshman Alex Garcia-Mendoza got the team on the board. From there, the team would begin to build on the momentum, scoring a 15-5 run to advance the lead to 23-13, forcing Eastern Wyoming to call a time out. Fresh off the break the team made a run of their own, a 12-4 run to tie matters at 25 apiece. The lead would get no bigger than six points the rest of the way. In the second half, both teams received an unanticipated delay, as the fire alarm system began to sound. Everyone was evacuated from the building and after a 22 minute delay, the game was restored, with NJC leading 45-44 and sophomore A.J. Wilson at the free-throw line. Down the stretch, it was Lawrence Tyson that hit a big shot with 31 seconds to give the Plainsmen a 63-58 lead. After one of two free throws by Eastern Wyoming, the team got the ball back and connected on a shot just in front of the three-point line to finalize the scoring, with Northeastern on top. DeRay Wilson and Troy Smith each had 10 points to balance the offense for NJC. Dominguez had eight points and 11 rebounds, while Eric Miller finished with seven points and five boards. Sophomore Kylor Dossett, who played just six minutes late in the second half, was productive in his short stint, going for four points. The Plainsmen will have a shot time off before the showdown against Western Nebraska Wednesday, Jan. 23 at home. gonjc.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/011608aaa.htmlBox score: gonjc.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/stats/2007-2008/ewc01-15-08.html
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Post by wsu97 on Jan 17, 2008 7:17:21 GMT -5
Uh oh, that's called a "Gavin Horne" or better yet a "Lloyd Walls" when a Raider big man JUCO recruit isn't even mentioned in the post-game write-up. He had 7 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists in 16 minutes.
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