Rambo Bunch Crushes Monterey's JV with Last-Second Bomb
On Friday, June 14, the Bulldogs travelled to Monterey for another team camp. Like most team camps, they would play 1 Junior Varsity game and 2 Varsity games. The biggest difference between this camp and the previous ones was the availability of the Bulldogs. It's summer break - so there are necessary family events for many (vacations, birthday parties, etc.)... and there were also football activities that took away many of our multi-sport athletes. So the Bulldogs travelled to Monterey with 7 total players... that's not 7 Junior Varsity or 7 Varsity... That's 7 total. But, the only difference between an obstacle and an opportunity is your attitude. These 7 played all three games and played with vigor and grit. Let's get into it!
Game 1: "Varsity" vs. Scott County - 74-44 Loss... Scott County was apparently very large compared to our 7. But we had some Bulldogs showing off their range. Evan "The Dealer" Crouch was feeling it - and he was absolutely dealing as he dished out three 3-pointers to go along with several other baskets. Jayden "All Day Jay" Pemberton got on a roll and also hit three triples. Pemberton is known for making the most of his minutes when he gets forced into action. Ian "Deadly Lefty" Robinson had an unofficial 14 points - 3 of those being a long-shot buzzer beater "from way out" to end the first half. Robinson was also able to get free for several savvy layups. Also, another great defensive effort from Daniel Bunch getting at least one good block (which is becoming his norm) - and the lone freshman of the day, Noah Ward, made the first varsity basket of his Bulldog career with a mid-range jumper - while also chipping in in the rebound department.
Game 2: "Junior Varsity" vs. Monterey - 58-55 WIN - This game put us in a bind roster-wise. Coach Nelson's policy is that only freshmen and sophomores play on JV - but we only had 4 there. So, Nelson started the 4 freshmen/sophomores (Daniel Bunch, Gavin Keathley, Paxton Quinney, and Noah Ward) and let Jayden Pemberton, Ian Robinson, and Evan Crouch play more of a rotational reserve role. It was an exciting, back-and-forth game that saw the Bulldogs get down by as much as 11 early... but they put their rally caps on and clawed their way back into it. A solid effort from "White Chocolate" Gavin Keathley - who got in his groove and had double-digit points. And "Screen Shot" Noah Ward made some noise by getting in the paint and fighting with the big uglies for rebounds. Paxton Quinney also served up several textbook layups as possibly the Bulldogs' high scorer - but all eyes were fixed on Daniel "Rambo" Bunch as he broke the hearts of the Monterey faithful. After being up comfortably by 11 early - Monterey let the Bulldogs scrape their way back into it... In the final minutes of play - it was a VERY tight ballgame - it looked destined for overtime locked at 55-55 with mere seconds on the clock. Those are the moments guys like Daniel Bunch are made for. Give him the rock - let him cook... bada-bing, bada-boom... buzzer beater 3-point shot from beyond half court - and the shocked looks on the faces of Monterey said it all.
Game 3: "Varsity" vs. Red Boiling Springs... 57-39 Loss... This was a game Ian Robinson had several highlight reel moments as the Deadly Lefty had an unofficial 18 points - scoring 7 of the Bulldogs' first 10. By the notes I got, everyone played with hustle and determination - not allowing the lack of players to be an excuse. If the "Sprint!" moniker that Coach Nelson is quickly earning says anything - he is a guy that can appreciate hustle and grind... and his players gave him that today. Although the Bulldogs came up short against Red Boiling Springs in this one - they earned some great experience in the process.
Here are a few other notes:
Game 3: "Varsity" vs. Red Boiling Springs... 57-39 Loss... This was a game Ian Robinson had several highlight reel moments as the Deadly Lefty had an unofficial 18 points - scoring 7 of the Bulldogs' first 10. By the notes I got, everyone played with hustle and determination - not allowing the lack of players to be an excuse. If the "Sprint!" moniker that Coach Nelson is quickly earning says anything - he is a guy that can appreciate hustle and grind... and his players gave him that today. Although the Bulldogs came up short against Red Boiling Springs in this one - they earned some great experience in the process.
Here are a few other notes:
Next Man Up!
You never know what challenges may come. During a long basketball season, there can be injuries, schedule issues, discipline issues, etc. You never know when your number is going to get called - but you have to be ready when it's called! Today saw several players forced into larger roles than they are accustomed to because of the smaller roster. By all accounts, those players got out there and went for it. To the players on the floor - don't worry about who isn't there - focus on who is! You've got a solid crop of Bulldog teammates and coaches that are working hard to prepare you for whatever twists and turns may come. Commit yourself to your craft - and you will have a great season and possibly surprise yourself!
Just Scratching the Surface
By all accounts, it sounded like a fun day of basketball in Monterey. Everyone got plenty of playing time and several players put forth some of their best performances of the preseason. Ian Robinson had a LONG buzzer beater three-pointer in the first game... and then Daniel "Rambo" Bunch had one of those game-winning, buzzer beater moments that EVERY athlete dreams about. It's a high watermark type of moment - even if it was in a preseason game. But - let's not forget - we're just scratching the surface!
In the movie Napoleon Dynamite, there is a character named Uncle Rico. He's a middle-aged man that can't stop dreaming about the star that he thought he was in high school. He wanted to go back and re-live that moment that had passed him by. There's something to be said for enjoying these really high moments like a game-winning buzzer beater... but dream about a bigger tomorrow! Think about the next game and how to create an opportunity to have an even bigger moment! Looking at this very young squad of Bulldogs - and a new coaching staff that's just starting to get to know the players - I see a bright, shining future ahead for Wartburg basketball. So, don't be Uncle Rico - guilty of always looking back at what once was... Look forward into what is coming! Let's hustle, grind, and SPRINT our way into tomorrow!
In the movie Napoleon Dynamite, there is a character named Uncle Rico. He's a middle-aged man that can't stop dreaming about the star that he thought he was in high school. He wanted to go back and re-live that moment that had passed him by. There's something to be said for enjoying these really high moments like a game-winning buzzer beater... but dream about a bigger tomorrow! Think about the next game and how to create an opportunity to have an even bigger moment! Looking at this very young squad of Bulldogs - and a new coaching staff that's just starting to get to know the players - I see a bright, shining future ahead for Wartburg basketball. So, don't be Uncle Rico - guilty of always looking back at what once was... Look forward into what is coming! Let's hustle, grind, and SPRINT our way into tomorrow!