Experience tells tale in 87-61 Eagles loss on Saturday
By JAMIE SHANKS of the Weyburn Review
Never assume.
That's the lesson the Weyburn Comprehensive School's Sr. Boys basketball team learned the hard way in an exhibition game on Saturday with the visiting Caronport Cougars.
"They beat us in the first five minutes of the second half," said Weyburn coach Wanda Pegg, whose team trailed only 33-30 at the midway point.
"I think they assumed that the pace of the game was going to remain the same, and you can never assume that."
Caught off-guard, the Eagles regained their composure but were unable to undo the damage in what became an 87-61 loss. In addition, what was Caronport's third game of the season was only Weyburn's first - an important factor considering that the current Eagles roster is also missing six of its starters from last year.
Nevertheless, Pegg was impressed with veteran Jeremy Greening's job of running the floor and the rebounding of D.J. Gall and Garrett Lee. The team's rookies also got some court time in the first half, she added.
Pegg hopes to be caught up to Caronport skill-wise by this weekend when she and the Eagles will be in Humboldt for a tournament beginning at 1 p.m. on Friday.
And just who are this year's Sr. Boys Eagles?
Jeremy Greening: a quick and dynamic veteran Grade 12
guard who plays with tenacity, Greening sets the pace as one of
the team's hardest workers. "He'll spend a lot of time on
the floor this year running our show," says Pegg.
Greening's goals: "I hope to be a good leader on and off
the court, play my best and hopefully have a winning season."
Chad Olson: another Grade 12 who will play the wing,
Olson is an extremely strong defensive player who likes to shoot
the three. "He's in marvelous shape," says Pegg - a
result of his ongoing boxing career.
Olson is also well-motivated. "I just hope to give a positive
attitude and make sure everybody's working hard and doing their
best to win."
Garrett Lee: something of a light-weight post, the Grade
12 team member brings good shooting ability to the floor for the
Eagles. A worry this season will be whether Lee's ankle stays
strong, however.
Rebounding and scoring are on Lee's mind. "And promoting
team unity. We need to play good together as a team."
Jordan Barker: measuring in at six-foot-three, Barker
is the new big man on the roster. "He's going to take up
some space as a post for us," Pegg says of the Grade 12 rookie.
"He's a quick learner."
Barker has a straightforward objective. "Be a quality player
and to do the best that I can."
D.J. Gall: a strong offensive team member in his second
year who will see action as a forward or outside wing. Probably
one of the Eagles' strongest offensive threats, Pegg describes
him as a talented Grade 11 player who handles pressure well.
Gall knows what else he wants to contribute. "Good defence
- and to shoot well."
Devin Stein: a strong rebounder due to his height, the
rookie Stein looked comfortable in the post position on Saturday.
"He has a long reach and that will be a big help to us,"
says Pegg, although she expects he will need to work on his speed
down the floor.
Stein's personal objective isn't complicated. "Just solid
all-around play," he says. "It'll be a tough year. We'll
have to work at it."
Josh Norman: a future investment, Pegg is hoping to
groom the fleet-footed Norman as a replacement point guard for
the outgoing Greening next season. "He should see plenty
of court time this year," she adds.
What is Norman personally hoping to contribute this year? "Good
defence and passing and dribbling ability."
Dave Roman: the Grade 11 forward is returning for another
season with the team and has nerves of steel. "He's the player
who scores the points when you need them most. A real clutch guy,"
says Pegg.
And he's focused. "I hope I can contribute a good effort
and build for next year," he says.
Cole Labbee: an extremely strong Grade 10 player, Labbee
will play with the Eagles as a forward and guard and has already
made an impression. "As a rookie he's probably one of the
best we've seen in the last four or five years," Pegg says.
Labbee hopes to bring something else to the Eagles: "My skills
and my hard work ethic."
Cedric Wilson: another Grade 10 guard. Wilson has smarts,
plays heads-up ball, sees the court well and can handle pressure,
too. "As the year progresses, he'll see more court time,"
Pegg adds.
Wilson's personal goals this season are simple. "Just play
good all around and be a positive team player."
Travis Bernard: a wing who moves fairly quickly and
sets a good example as an extremely hard worker. The Grade 10
player is also a natural athlete who follows instructions well,
Pegg says.
Bernard means business this year, hoping to contribute "hard
work and effort in the practices and in the games."
The 12th Man: three Jr. Boys team members - Brent Daku, Derek Houghton and Derek Churko - will rotate in the 12th spot on the lineup.
The junior team is coached by Sr. Boys alumni Carl Weger and Scott Lautner, while managers Patti Rust and Dez Villness will assist Pegg.
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