GATOR BOYS BASKETBALL LOOK FOR IMPROVEMENT
It may be early November and the deer are running for their lives, but due to the MSHSL changing the start date of boys basketball the BGMR Gators are preparing for the 2013-2014 basketball campaign. The BGMR Boys Basketball Team began practice on Monday, November 11th. With just over 40young men signed up for basketball in grades 7-12 the quantity of players is not an issue. The coaching staff however is hoping the players will work hard and turn that quantity into quality.
The Gator boys are coming off an extremely disappointing2012-2013 season in which the Gators posted a 10-17 record and a second straight season in which they took a first round playoff loss. 2013-2014 however is a new season and a young Gators roster will hopefully develop into one that is competitive and one that will be a tough tournament team.
The Gators lost a majority of their offense from last season as the Gators graduated 6 seniors. Gone from last year’s squad are Nick Rodriguez, 15.0 points per game,Tanner Creviston, 6.5 points per game, Jacob Randall, 3.3 points per game, Alex Rhen, 6.4 points per game, Jacquan Rhen, 15.4points per game and Tyler Bentow,3 .2 points per game. Losing nearly 75% of their scoring and 70% of their rebounding, the Gator boys will really need to buckle down and get to work if they want to experience success in 2013-14.
After graduating 6 seniors the Gators will enter this season with just one senior. Brayden Larson is the lone senior and will be counted on to provide leadership.
A big junior class will be relied on heavily. Darius Watson, Matt Howell, Logan Dvergsten, Hunter Jacobson, Aaron Dostal, Wyatt Peppel and Logan Klegstad will be given the first opportunity to prove that they are ready for varsity action. Dostal is the lone starter off last years team and could become an impact player if he works at it. Watson had a nice summer and has been a gym rat for the BGMR program. Howell, Dvergsten, Jacobson and Klegstad have each been a part of the program for several years and will now need to show that their time has come. BGMR does regain the services of Wyatt Peppel who sat out last season with concussion symptoms. Peppel is a high energy player that could make an impact. The Gators program suffered a tough loss from this class as Cody Kirkeide sustained a torn ACL during football and will be lost for the season. Kirkeide is a gamer and his hustle and determination will be sorely missed.
Eleven sophomores are out for basketball this year. This class has some size and because of the small senior class some sophomores could see some extensive varsity time. This class also seems to be competitive so how playing time sorts out will be determined by who works the hardest and shows that they are ready for the varsity challenge both physically and mentally. Colton Penas has size and showed promise last year on the C team. Ben Lieberg and Tyler Klegstad are big bodies who don’t mind throwing it around. Jordan Brandon, Trever Robinson and Chase Anderson headline a group of guards who have talent but will need to adjust to the speed of the varsity game. Alex Truscinski and Jake Waage have shown some glimpses of talent in practice but will need to become more consistent while Robby Davy and Alex Burkel have been great team players.
Nine freshman signed up for basketball. At this time is doesn’t appear that any freshman are ready for the varsity level but there is some talent in this grade. How hard they work and how quick they pick up what the Gator System is all about will determine what level they will be playing at.
BGMR will tip-off the season with a home game against Grygla-Goodridge on November 22nd. The Gators have a busy preholiday break schedule with 3 of their 9 preholiday games being at home. BGMR is also entering unchartered territory this year as the Gators were bumped up to 2A in the most recent MSHSL Classification. Although the Gator regular season schedule remains intact, who and where they play in the playoffs will change a great deal. The Gators however hope to be up to the challenge and look forward to providing Gator Nation with some outstanding basketball. In order to have a successful record the Gators will need to play unselfish, fundamental basketball. The coaching staff will be preaching this throughout the season. As the Gator boys slogan goes this season “ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE”!
GATOR BOYS LOSE SEASON OPENER
A season opening win has been hard to come by for the BGMR Gator’s Boys Basketball team for several years and the 2013-2014 season opener was no exception as the Gators dropped a 61-43 decision to the Chargers from Grygla-Goodridge.
The Chargers, who played their first game in over 30 years without legendary coach Vern Johnson at the helm showed that they were not go to miss a beat with new head coach Mike Gast. Coach Gast’s bunch destroyed the Gators on the boards and road the strong play of Hunter McMillin and TraAlderete who each scored 18 points. Meanwhile the Gators started slowly on offense, found themselves down by as many as 11 early and were never able to catch up. Much to the Gators credit, they were able to cut the Charger lead to 3 in the second half but anytime BGMR looked poise to take the lead the inexperienced Gators made a crucial offensive mistake or gave up an easy bucket.
Junior guard Darius Watson led the Gator attack as he had 12 points and 3 steals. Watson also outrebounded several of the much bigger Gators. This is most certainly an area of concern which will be addressed by the BGMR coaching staff. Junior guard Matt Howell also had a nice night shooting the ball as he too contributed 12 points. No other Gator was in double figures. Hopefully this was the result of jitters as many Gators were playing for the first time at the varsity level.
Although it was a tough loss, BGMR showed a lot of hustle and desire. This will go a long ways as the inexperienced Gators continue to grow throughout the season. BGMR will have no time to dwell on the game as they travel to Stephen on Tuesday to take on a veteran Storm team. The Storm are well coached and have a ton of experience so it will be a stiff challenge for the Gators.
The Gator Boys Program would like to thank all those people who showed up for the taco in a bag supper put on by the parents. They would also like to thank the supper sponsors who were Lieberg Electric, Howell Construction, and Robinson’s Wood Working. These local businesses continue to show support for the school and the programs offered by the school.
STORM SURGE PAST GATORS
The Stephen-Argyle Storm saw that the Gators were in a ThanksGIVING mood and took advantage of 25 Gator turnovers in route to a 61-36 victory over the Gators. Much like their first game the Gators kept the game close throughout the first half as they used a strong defense to cause 25 Storm turnovers. The second half however saw the younger Gators wear down against the senior led Storm team and a 7 point game at halftime turned into a 25 point thumping.
The Gators were led in scoring by Darius Watson who had 8 points. Watson’s ball handling and court savvy kept the Gators close in the first half. Aaron Dostal chipped in 7 points and ripped down 12 rebounds. Logan Dvergsten and Ben Lieberg each scored 6 points. The Storm had 2 players land in double figures. Owen Ellefson pumped in 19 and Lance Yutrzenka scored 1
Despite the lopsided loss the Gators showed grit and determination throughout the game. The younger Gators also showed marked improvement over game one. The Gator coaching staff hopes the team can continue to show progress. The task ahead does not get any easier. After taking two days off for Thanksgiving the Gators will mix in 4 practices before the schedule really heats up. The Gators will be at home next Thursday against a strong and well coached Kittson Count Bearcat team. On Friday the Gators will travel to Clearbrook to take on the Clearbrook-Gonvick Bears and will play the Bears again on Monday (December) in the opening round of the NCTC Holiday Tournament. BGMR hopes that Bear season is open as the Gators plan to do some hunting.
GATOR BOYS CLAIM FIRST WIN OF THE YEAR
After a rocky first two game of the 2013-14 basketball campaign the BGMR Boy’s Basketball Team picked up their first win of the year with a hard fought 61-58 victory over the Clearbrook-Gonvick Bears.
The Gators and Bears went back and forth in the first half with the Bears going into halftime with a 29-28 lead. The game would be close the rest of the way but BGMR managed to jump out to a 5 point lead with just over 2 minutes to go. The Bears ended up sending the Gators to the foul line and BGMR managed to hang on with some timely foul shooting to secure the victory.
Matt Howell had a nice night offensively as he scored 14 points. Aaron Dostal contributed 14 points and finished off the double/double with 10 rebounds. Darius Watson had a tough night shooting but still managed to net 11 points. Although no other Gator scored in double figures, several contributed to the win. Wyatt Peppel came off the bench and gave BGMR a much needed spark in the first half. The Gator’s lone senior Brayden Larson, also had his best game of the year as he picked up 4 steals.
The Bears were led in scoring by ReegenHetland as he dumped in 15. Sam Lavin scored 12 and Alex Barrett had 9.
The Gators and Bears will have a short turn around as they face each other on Monday in the first round of the NCTC Holiday Classic. It should be a good rematch of two evenly matched teams. BGMR hopes to continue their improved played but the Bears will be looking for revenge. Tip-off is set for 6:30 and the Gators hope that Gator Nation will brave the cold to come out and support the hard working Gators.
BGMR will play on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at the Holiday Classic. Game times will depend on how the Gators fair on Monday.
BEARS GET REVENGE ON GATORS
Playing each other for the second time in 4 days the Clearbrook-Gonvick Bears were able to avenge a Friday night loss to the Gators with a 66-63 victory over the Gators in the opening round of the NCTC Holiday Tournament. The Gators fought valiantly throughout much of the game and were in position to win the game. Trailing by 2 with just over 7 seconds to play a 3 point shot by Breyden Larson rimmed out. The Gators had a couple put back shots but they too couldn’t find the bottom of the net forcing the Gators to foul with under a second to play and in essence sealing the victory for the Bears.
Offensively the Gators landed two players in double figures. Aaron Dostal had a strong game scoring 21 points and collecting 15 rebounds. Wyatt Peppel continued his strong play with 14 points. Darius Watson also managed 7 points and a career high 9 rebounds. Remarkable the Gators managed to rip down 28 offense rebounds. Unfortunately a total like this means the Gators were missing several of their shots. The Gators also will need to take a look at the way they are approaching the free throw line as they were 8 for 24 from the charity stripe.
The Bears were led offensively by Sam Levin who scored 15 points. Nick Bodensteiner tore the Gators up inside in the first half and finished the game with 13 points and 10 rebounds. ReegenHetland netted 10 points.
BGMR will look to improve on its 1-3 record as they will take on the Red Lake County Rebels at 3:00 today in the second round of tournament play. The Rebels are coached by the legendary Steve Philion and today’s game will be a rematch of last year’s first round playoff game in which the Rebels ended the Gators season. Both teams have changed a great deal from last year but it should be a good matchup of teams trying to establish a positive rhythm before the holidays.
GATORS ADVANCE TO COSOLATION CHAMPIONSHIP
Limiting their turnovers and shooting 70% from the free throw line were huge factors in the BGMR Gators defeating the Red Lake County Rebels 68-48 in the second round of the NCTC Holiday Tournament. The Gators were efficient on offense as they managed a season low 15 turnovers and a season high 49% shooting from the field. BGMR also went 14 for 20 (70%) from the charity stripe.
The Gators got a strong effort from the whole team. Wyatt Peppel scored a career high 17 points. Darius Watson poured in 14 points along with 7 assists. Aaron Dostal continued his solid play with 9 points and 9 rebounds and Logan Dvergsten played his best game of the young season scoring 8 points.
The Rebels got solid play from Drake Engelstad who had 17 points and Luke Newton who dumped in 15 points. No other Rebel however scored more than 5 points and the Gators held the Rebels to 30% shooting on the night. Even with this, the Gator coaching staff was not impressed with the lack of communication by the Gators on defense and allowing the Rebels to get several open shots. Getting back to defensive basics will be an area of emphasis for the Gators in the practices to come.
The win pushed the Gator record to 2-3. BGMR will now face the Stephen-Argyle Storm for the consolation championship of the tournament. The Storm pounded the Gators just over a week ago and BGMR will need to continue with their improved play to compete with the strong Storm team. Game time is 2:45 on Thursday. Gator Nation needs to slip out of work early, brave the harsh temperatures and root for this hard working team. Gator Nation has been positive so far this year and the team has reacted well to this positive nature.
STORM CRUSH GATORS
The BGMR Gator Boys Basketball team was hoping to build on their Tuesday night win over Red Lake County and bring home the Consolation Championship of the NCTC Tournament. Unfortunately the Gators left their game at home and got swamped by the Stephen-Argyle Storm by a score of 67-32.
Defense was the name of the game early as neither the Storm or Gators scored for the first 4 minutes of the contest. The Storm however started to take command and BGMR was unable to find their offensive rhythm as the Storm raced to a 33-15 halftime lead. Although the Gators ramped up their effort in the second half and at times showed more promise at the powerful and experienced Storm were able to increase their lead and outscored the Gators 34-17 in the second half.
Offensively Matt Howell led the Gators with 9 points all coming in the first half. Darius Watson did a nice job handling the ball and scored 8 points. The rest of the Gators were sleep walking on offense as the Gators shot a season low 11 for 48 (23%) from the field. The Storm meanwhile had everyone contribute. Not one player scored in double figures for the Storm but 7 players had 7 or more points. For the game the Storm were 26 for 43 or a sizzling 60% from the field.
The young Gators hopefully will use the thrashing they took from the Storm as a learning experience. The Gators will now have a few days of practice before they travel to Red Lake Falls to take on the Red Lake County Rebels next Thursday. The Gators will return home on Friday when they take on the streaking Rams from Roseau. The Ram game will be last the last game before the holiday break. The Gators hope to go into the break on a winning note and provide some holiday cheer for Gator Nation.
REBELS AVENGE EARLY SEASON LOSS TO GATORS
The Red Lake County Rebels broke open a close game midway through the second half when KalenWiseth hit back to back to back 3 pointers and Red Lake County stifled any Gator comeback attempt in route to a 62-48 victory.
The Gators and Rebels went back and forth in the first half as the Rebels took a 26-24 halftime lead. BGMR was in the giving mood most of the night as BGMR committed 25 turnovers with several of them being careless in nature and unforced. BGMR also continued to struggle shooting the ball as they went 20 for 62 (32%) from the field which included 2 for 15 (13%) from the 3 point line.