We've been waiting since summer ball... Let's get this party started!
It feels like forever since your Wartburg Bulldogs suited up for their last basketball game during summer ball. Since then, we've seen an entire football season, volleyball season, and cross country season begin and finish. The team has undergone some extreme personnel transitions after losing a few players while simultaneously picking up some new players. Today, the new-look, retooled Dogs travelled to Sunbright for a preseason tournament where they played 2 varsity games (Maryville Christian & Anderson County) and 1 junior varsity game (Anderson County).
Coach Travis Nelson and 20 of his Bulldogs took on Maryville Christian first. It was pretty clear that we were at a distinct size advantage from the start - and to make matters worse - Captain Landon Quinney was on a college visit, Lawson Swint is still rehabbing a football injury, and Johnny "Green Bean" Bingham had a bowling tournament. The Bulldogs were missing some key personnel - but they were not short-handed. Their bench was overflowing with Jairen "Poncho" Svette sitting on the floor next to a very packed-full bench. The Bulldogs got down early - going into halftime down by a score of 30-19. I've been to enough of these tournaments where an 11-point deficit can stretch into a 30-point deficit in a hurry once the pressure of being down is applied. The Bulldogs fought back and showed grit and determination - outscoring Maryville Christian 18-15 in the 2nd half - but ultimately losing 45-37. This was a great finish to a tough, very physical, game.
The 2nd game the Bulldogs were up against a polished Anderson County team. The good news was that they had Landon Quinney and Johnny Bingham back in the fold for this one. They struggled getting the ball down the court early in the game as Anderson County opened up an impressive lead - but much like the first game, the Bulldogs showed signs of life as they tweaked their mistakes and cleaned up some early errors. They managed to keep the game respectable as they played hard and gave it an impressive effort for 4 full quarters. I did not jot down the final score, but the Bulldogs fell in this one by a worse margin than the first one.
For their third game, young gun Coach Jeremy Miller stepped into the head coach role as the sizable Junior Varsity squad hit the floor. We have plenty of talent, but we are very young and a little green. Our Bulldog squad held their own and went into halftime down by only one score. After a spirited second half, the Bulldogs lost a close one by a score of 42-38. It honestly could've gone either way toward the end. There are bright days ahead for this Junior Varsity squad as they get coached up and learn the nuances of Nelson ball.
Ultimately, it was a good day to work the rust off for the team. As always - we don't just report the facts... we've gotta open a can of shenanigans... so what are THOSE highlights:
Coach Travis Nelson and 20 of his Bulldogs took on Maryville Christian first. It was pretty clear that we were at a distinct size advantage from the start - and to make matters worse - Captain Landon Quinney was on a college visit, Lawson Swint is still rehabbing a football injury, and Johnny "Green Bean" Bingham had a bowling tournament. The Bulldogs were missing some key personnel - but they were not short-handed. Their bench was overflowing with Jairen "Poncho" Svette sitting on the floor next to a very packed-full bench. The Bulldogs got down early - going into halftime down by a score of 30-19. I've been to enough of these tournaments where an 11-point deficit can stretch into a 30-point deficit in a hurry once the pressure of being down is applied. The Bulldogs fought back and showed grit and determination - outscoring Maryville Christian 18-15 in the 2nd half - but ultimately losing 45-37. This was a great finish to a tough, very physical, game.
The 2nd game the Bulldogs were up against a polished Anderson County team. The good news was that they had Landon Quinney and Johnny Bingham back in the fold for this one. They struggled getting the ball down the court early in the game as Anderson County opened up an impressive lead - but much like the first game, the Bulldogs showed signs of life as they tweaked their mistakes and cleaned up some early errors. They managed to keep the game respectable as they played hard and gave it an impressive effort for 4 full quarters. I did not jot down the final score, but the Bulldogs fell in this one by a worse margin than the first one.
For their third game, young gun Coach Jeremy Miller stepped into the head coach role as the sizable Junior Varsity squad hit the floor. We have plenty of talent, but we are very young and a little green. Our Bulldog squad held their own and went into halftime down by only one score. After a spirited second half, the Bulldogs lost a close one by a score of 42-38. It honestly could've gone either way toward the end. There are bright days ahead for this Junior Varsity squad as they get coached up and learn the nuances of Nelson ball.
Ultimately, it was a good day to work the rust off for the team. As always - we don't just report the facts... we've gotta open a can of shenanigans... so what are THOSE highlights:
T. Nelly with the Tech!
This reporter has heard since the summer that Head Coach Travis Nelson is lovingly referred to as T.Nelly by some of his players. Today, barely into the first half of game 1 - that T stood for Technical as Coach Nelson let the refs know he was displeased with some of the calls (or lack of calls). This is a clear "Do as I say, not as a I do" moment that sometimes a Coach has to stick his neck out for. I think this sets the tone that lets the players know they don't need to argue with the refs - your coach is going to go to bat for you. If something isn't right - just play your game and let the Coach handle communicating with the refs. Great coaching today - as evidenced by the gritty perseverance the Bulldogs played with as they hung with their opponents across all three games.
Standout Corner - dedicated to the players that caught my eye with a standout performance:
Varsity:
- "Slanky" Paxton Quinney: I've had the pleasure to watch Paxton during the AAU season. I can honestly say, he looks several inches taller than just a few months ago, and he's playing like a seasoned vet. With big brother Landon out in the first game, Slanky stepped up and played a big-time role!
- Parker "Phenom" Rogers: Parker Rogers was the only freshman to make it into both Varsity games - and those are well-deserved minutes. Rogers plays a consistent game of hustle and grind and does not look overmatched despite his age. He's a star in the making.
- Ian "Rooftop" Robinson: Robinson has elite athleticism and jumps through the roof. He almost nailed a dunk put-back in game 1, and jumps so high on his jump shot that opponents have a hard time getting a hand in his face. He runs hot and slashes and slices through the opposition. If he can stay relaxed and loose - he's dangerous!
- Daniel "Deebo" Bunch: You might underestimate Daniel Bunch as he's still growing into his long frame, but on multiple occasions today, Deebo brought out the long arms of the law as he sent opposing shots packing with block after block.
- Lucas Wilson... see poll below
- Tyson "Rocksteady" Jones: A transfer from Rockwood, Tyson showed out great athleticism and movement up and down the court. He has instincts and ability that are a welcome sight on an already stacked JV roster.
- "No-Nonsense" Noah Ward: Freshman Noah Ward got into the waning minutes of the second varsity game and played a full compliment of minutes in the Junior Varsity game today. Ward makes the move into the post as a high schooler - and gobbled up several rebounds while beating and banging down low. With continued coaching and refinement, the mustached man could be an asset for the Bulldogs
- Mason "Mad Dog" Klement: Sophomore Mason Klement played his Middle School ball at Petros-Joyner, moved to Coalfield for High School, and now looks to make a name for himself on the Bulldog roster. In his first minutes in blue and white, he looked the part, slicing and dicing his way through traffic, scoring multiple times and looking the part of a future contributor.
- Cole "Patrol" Wilson: Every team has that player that is loved and gets the rest of the team hyped up no matter what they do. As Wilson was pulled in the final minute of the JV game, the entire bench of varsity players erupted with vocal disappointment. There is definitely a "Cole Patrol" - and they have found their leader! I have a feeling this isn't the last we've heard from the Cole Patrol!
Wreck-It Ralph
The one thing that Wartburg has as an Achilles heel is size. There just aren't a lot of big boys on the team... until Lucas Wilson shows up! Lucas Wilson is exactly what the Bulldogs have been needing in the paint. The big-bodied post player can be a big target for easy post-up layups as an outlet from the outside... and he can scare off any opposition that had visions of bringing the ball into the inside. Literally all he has to do is be in the right spot, and stay out of foul trouble - and he can wreck the opposing game plan. When I see Wilson on the floor - I see the popular character "Wreck-It Ralph" stepping in to wreak havoc. After an injury-shortened 2023-24 season - we'll hope for a full slate of games out of the Bulldog big man... The only thing is... if we have Wreck-It Ralph in Wilson... who is Fix-It Felix? Send your thoughts in below:
Would we have preferred to win today?... absolutely! But is there a lot to like about what we saw today? Also - absolutely! There are bright days ahead for the Bulldogs. Let's get behind our boys and Coaches!