Sports
Laingsburg makes it rain at Breslin
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Wednesday, January 7, 2009 9:34 AM EST
EAST LANSING - When the members of the Laingsburg boys' basketball team hit the floor bright and early Saturday morning, their biggest goal was to play comfortably.
It was a concept that had been planted and then repeatedly driven into their heads since before the season by head coach Greg Mitchell, who knew the nerves would strike up when the team played at Michigan State University's Breslin Center.
Indeed, it turned out to be the biggest difference in a 55-39 win over Ithaca in game one of the Meijer Holiday Hoops Invitational.
“I told our guys for the past month, whoever gets comfortable first is probably going to have a really good chance at playing well,” said Mitchell.
But early on, both squads looked mesmerized by the bright lights of a major college venue and played as if caught in a daze. At the end of the first quarter, Laingsburg held an 8-6 lead, then trailed 20-19 by halftime.
“I talked about not trying to be in awe of the environment and just play because we needed to play well,” Mitchell said. “The big thing is enjoy the opportunity but don't settle for that because when you leave you're gonna feel bad if you lose.”
In the third quarter, Laingsburg (2-1) finally got what it needed to reach that much-desired comfort level, beginning with, as senior Nathan Barnes put it: “Scott Taylor makin' it rain.”
The junior guard hit a couple of 3s on his way to eight points for the game, but more importantly, sent a jolt through the rest of his teammates who promptly followed his lead. After going 0-for-6 from behind the arc in the first half, Laingsburg nailed 4 of 8 in the second half and hit a tempo that Ithaca couldn't match.
“I think it's an ice breaker for everyone to realize the hoop is still 10 feet high and the ball can fit through, it has a lot to do with it,” said Mitchell.
In that third quarter, Laingsburg outscored the Yellowjackets 24-7, virtually putting the game away before the final quarter even began. And while the shots started dropping, the defensive pressure also was ratcheted up, as the Wolfpack switched up its previous full court man press to a 2-2-1 press, causing headaches for Ithaca.
“We want to talk to each other and get everyone in right spots, pressure the other team and let them make their own mistakes,” said Dillon Bates, who led the team with 10 points and handed out four assists.”
Even when Ithaca did break the press, the Yellowjackets had little success setting up a half court offense. Ithaca often attempted and failed at getting the ball inside, as Laingsburg's strength outmatched Ithaca's height.
“They're certainly more physical from us and we couldn't get the ball away from them,” said Ithaca head coach Bob Anderson. “We are long and lanky but we also are displaced very easily. We're not a very strong team right now. Laingsburg is well put-together.”
Laingsburg was able to hold its lead throughout the fourth quarter as Bates continued to manage the game well throughout the second half on the offensive end.
For his performance, he was named to the all-tournament team along with Ithaca's Christian Marble, who had a game-high 12 points.
“He plays very, very hard, a lot of times maybe he plays too hard,” Mitchell said. “Managing the game and doing it cerebrally is very important. And this is two games in a row I think he's done that.”