Bulldogs Get Two Wins Against Mt. Pisgah
On December 2, 2024, the Wartburg Bulldogs had an interesting night. Rather than the usual three games of basketball with a girls game mixed in - this Monday was a night of boys basketball only. The boys JV played at 6:30 with the Varsity following at 8 PM. Mt. Pisgah was well coached but clearly overmatched with the deep roster and bench of the Bulldogs. The JV spread the minutes around to 11 different players with three achieving double-digit scoring in their 65-46 victory. When the varsity took the floor, they spread their minutes out among 17 different Bulldogs with 2 achieving double digits in their 65-33 final. The Bulldogs even put up a massive 31-point 2nd quarter! Great work boys! Let's break it down starting with the JV:
Backstreet Boles gets 2nd win as JV Coach!
With Head Coach Travis Nelson out, the Assistant Coaches have had to each take a step up the ladder for a couple of games. That put Bryson Boles in the driver's seat for the JV for the 2nd time in a row tonight. After a buzzer beater victory in Oneida - you voted - and BOOM! We have a nickname. Bryson "Backstreet" Boles is here to stay as he coached a gem of a game tonight. Some quick hit highlights:
- "White Shadow" Mason Klement makes his presence felt: Klement was the high scorer for the Bulldogs with 16 points - with nine coming in the fourth as he heated up down the stretch.
- "No Nonsense" Noah Ward with a solid performance: It was another commendable game in the post as the Bulldogs' second leading scorer put up 13. This comes after a game of hot shooting against Oneida's JV last week. He also had several rebounds and some strong defense down low.
- "White Chocolate" Gavin Keathley lethal from range: Keathley's motor ran hot tonight as he hustled up and down the court and popped 3 nice three-pointers as part of his 12 points.
- "Rampage" Reid Quinney Locks Them Up: The youngest of three Quinneys on the Bulldog roster, Reid has a unique quickness and lateral movement ability. He can frustrate opposing offenses consistently, and he definitely played "The Disruptor" tonight. His defensive ability is special when he's locked in.
- Tyson "Rocksteady" Jones ALMOST gets a 2nd three: After hitting a nice three during regulation - Jones had the job of dribbling the clock out in the final seconds of the 4th quarter. Upon the final buzzer, Rocksteady threw up an almost half court three and put it right in. It's nice to know if we need a clutch three, Jones has the touch.
- Wilks and Wentzel shoring up the post play: With veterans Lawson Swint and Lucas Wilson graduating this year, the Bulldogs will have some big shoes to fill down low in the future. That's where Levi "The Wombat" Wilks and Jackson "Teen Wolf" Wentzel come into play. Both are strong, hard-working teammates that continue to improve with experience and practice. They combined for 7 points.
- "White Shadow" Mason Klement makes his presence felt: Klement was the high scorer for the Bulldogs with 16 points - with nine coming in the fourth as he heated up down the stretch.
- "No Nonsense" Noah Ward with a solid performance: It was another commendable game in the post as the Bulldogs' second leading scorer put up 13. This comes after a game of hot shooting against Oneida's JV last week. He also had several rebounds and some strong defense down low.
- "White Chocolate" Gavin Keathley lethal from range: Keathley's motor ran hot tonight as he hustled up and down the court and popped 3 nice three-pointers as part of his 12 points.
- "Rampage" Reid Quinney Locks Them Up: The youngest of three Quinneys on the Bulldog roster, Reid has a unique quickness and lateral movement ability. He can frustrate opposing offenses consistently, and he definitely played "The Disruptor" tonight. His defensive ability is special when he's locked in.
- Tyson "Rocksteady" Jones ALMOST gets a 2nd three: After hitting a nice three during regulation - Jones had the job of dribbling the clock out in the final seconds of the 4th quarter. Upon the final buzzer, Rocksteady threw up an almost half court three and put it right in. It's nice to know if we need a clutch three, Jones has the touch.
- Wilks and Wentzel shoring up the post play: With veterans Lawson Swint and Lucas Wilson graduating this year, the Bulldogs will have some big shoes to fill down low in the future. That's where Levi "The Wombat" Wilks and Jackson "Teen Wolf" Wentzel come into play. Both are strong, hard-working teammates that continue to improve with experience and practice. They combined for 7 points.
"Pearl Jam" Jeremy Miller Gets the Win with the Varsity
Again - you voted after last game - and [In Eddie Vedder's voice] "JEREMY SPOKE IN... CLASS TODAY!" One of the uber-popular bands of the 1990s was Pearl Jam - and one of their biggest hits was - you guessed it - "Jeremy". One of the best lines of that song was "Oh, but we unleashed a lion"... and getting the opportunity to coach has unleashed the lion in Miller! We are thankful for Coach Jeremy and all that he brings to the team!
After a disappointing loss to Oneida last week, the varsity Bulldogs came out on fire tonight against Mt. Pisgah. We had especially hot shooting from 3 players:
- Ian "Rooftop" Robinson tied for the team lead with 11 points. Robinson now leads the Bulldogs for the season with 40. Robinson also chipped in with 2 rebounds and 2 assists in a little over a half of play as Pearl Jam got the younger players some time on the floor.
- Johnny "Green Bean" Bingham... Some know him as Johnny Buckets - but I've heard him called Johhny "Green Bean" because when you play NBA 2K, a fully green shot meter means that it's a perfect shot - and it's going in. It happens to look a little like a green bean next to the player. Bingham is known for his confident three-point shot - and he did not disappoint tonight with 3 three-pointers contributing to his 11 points - tying Ian Robinson for the team leading score and also setting his personal best for this young season. Bingham also chipped in on defense with 2 steals.
After a disappointing loss to Oneida last week, the varsity Bulldogs came out on fire tonight against Mt. Pisgah. We had especially hot shooting from 3 players:
- Ian "Rooftop" Robinson tied for the team lead with 11 points. Robinson now leads the Bulldogs for the season with 40. Robinson also chipped in with 2 rebounds and 2 assists in a little over a half of play as Pearl Jam got the younger players some time on the floor.
- Johnny "Green Bean" Bingham... Some know him as Johnny Buckets - but I've heard him called Johhny "Green Bean" because when you play NBA 2K, a fully green shot meter means that it's a perfect shot - and it's going in. It happens to look a little like a green bean next to the player. Bingham is known for his confident three-point shot - and he did not disappoint tonight with 3 three-pointers contributing to his 11 points - tying Ian Robinson for the team leading score and also setting his personal best for this young season. Bingham also chipped in on defense with 2 steals.
- Jayden "J-Money" Pemberton came into the game with only 5 points through the first 3 games. Pemberton is a technician of a shooter from range. This appeared to be a "get right" game for J-Money as he hit a three in every quarter until the JV came in at the end. Pemberton hit his season-high with 9 points on hot shooting and is also credited with a block and a steal on defense.
It's not ALL about the offense... let's look at some of the other stats (big shout out to Athletic Director "All Smile" Kyle Ryans for these additional stat categories):
- Lawson Swint - Swint is the powerhouse in the middle of the floor - and he chipped in with a team leading 7 rebounds - and also shot 3/4 from the free throw line as part of his 5 point effort.
- Parker Rogers - 7 points and a... Triple-Quatro??? That's right - in addition to his points, Rogers filled out the additional stats with 4 rebounds... 4 assists... and.... you guessed it... I wish I could say 4... on a recount - he actually had 5 steals! But what an all-around game for the Rattlesnake!
- Daniel Bunch - The sophomore Bunch is in a strange spot getting plenty of time with both JV and the varsity squads... and he made the most of his time on varsity tonight... To go along with his 3 points, Bunch was the 2nd best rebounder for Wartburg with 5, and also had 2 assists and a steal for a very well-rounded effort.
It's not ALL about the offense... let's look at some of the other stats (big shout out to Athletic Director "All Smile" Kyle Ryans for these additional stat categories):
- Lawson Swint - Swint is the powerhouse in the middle of the floor - and he chipped in with a team leading 7 rebounds - and also shot 3/4 from the free throw line as part of his 5 point effort.
- Parker Rogers - 7 points and a... Triple-Quatro??? That's right - in addition to his points, Rogers filled out the additional stats with 4 rebounds... 4 assists... and.... you guessed it... I wish I could say 4... on a recount - he actually had 5 steals! But what an all-around game for the Rattlesnake!
- Daniel Bunch - The sophomore Bunch is in a strange spot getting plenty of time with both JV and the varsity squads... and he made the most of his time on varsity tonight... To go along with his 3 points, Bunch was the 2nd best rebounder for Wartburg with 5, and also had 2 assists and a steal for a very well-rounded effort.
BROOM-SHAKA-LAKA
We all came out to watch basketball, but at least once, the youngest Quinney - Tucker "Broom-Shaka-Laka" Quinney - stole the show by dancing! As he was standing at the ready to mop up any puddles with the swiffer-looking mop next to the gym entry doors - the music just hit right a time or two - and his moves had the crowd roaring with cheer! I've said it before and I'll say it again - sometimes life is just different in a small town - and I love the sense of community that we are able to cultivate. My hat is off to young Tucker - I'd agree with Lee Ann Womack - anytime there is a break in the action and the music hits just right, "I hope you dance"!
The next game is already upon us - Tuesday night - we get the Harriman Blue Devils! It'll be good to have our Head Coach back in the fold - although we clearly have outstanding assistants in Backstreet and Pearl Jam! Rest up - let the snow melt - and let's play some basketball again on Tuesday!
The next game is already upon us - Tuesday night - we get the Harriman Blue Devils! It'll be good to have our Head Coach back in the fold - although we clearly have outstanding assistants in Backstreet and Pearl Jam! Rest up - let the snow melt - and let's play some basketball again on Tuesday!