Nevada boys fall to rival Lamar

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Drew Bryson shoots a three against Lamar as teammate Bubba Banes looks on.

By Jason Peake

Herald-Tribune

LAMAR, Mo.--One and done.

Jamin Brandt contests a shot inside by Lamar's Sam Bailey.

That's the way many of Nevada's offensive possessions ended in Friday's 73-68 loss at Lamar.

Nevada got off to a hot start, taking a quick 7-0 lead. But for a long stretch of the game, Nevada's boys simply couldn't hit from the perimeter. Lamar controlled the boards, knocked in high-percentage shots and pulled away.

"On our first few possessions of the game, that's how we want to play offense," Nevada Coach John McNeley said. "We were cutting, setting some good screens and we got some opportunities. But then, we made it as easy on them as we could. We took the first shot we saw and they rebounded it and went the other way. We played a lot more defense because of that. And I thought once they had a few good possessions, we lost our energy and never recaptured it."

With the loss, Nevada falls to 8-11.

After being down seven right away, Lamar ended up with a double-digit lead in the first half at 28-18. The hosts were up 34-26 at intermission, but used a 13-5 run late in the third quarter to go up 50-36.

Lamar had a 16-point lead early in the fourth quarter before Nevada rallied. With Drew Bryson and Silas Smith doing most of the scoring, Nevada cut Lamar's lead to six late in the game by forcing Lamar into some turnovers with a full-court press and finally draining some perimeter jumpers.

But Lamar secured the win by making 17 free throws in the fourth quarter. Bryson and Joseph Ferry both hit late threes with just seconds left for the final margin.

Lamar improved to 11-8 with the win.

"We just got beat," McNeley said. "There's no other way to put it. They were a better basketball team than we were tonight."

McNeley added Lamar was coming off a loss to Monett, but was ready to play against their rivals from a half-hour away.

"I thought they might play like this," McNeley said. "It was their court-warming and they hadn't been playing very well. I knew we'd get their best effort. I just thought we'd guard them a little better than what we did. We didn't play offense the way we could have, either."

A senior guard, Bryson scored 21 points for Nevada, including three from behind the arc. Smith, a junior, added 16, with four threes. Ferry scored nine and Lane Ketterman added eight.

Lamar had four players in double figures, as Chad Rice scored 16, Drew Buckner and Josh Garfield added 13 apiece and Jared Beshore chipped in 11. Lamar made 25 of 38 foul shots, and three Nevada players fouled out (Bubba Banes, Jamin Brandt and Ketterman). Nevada went to the line 18 times, making 15.

Nevada will host Winfield today at Wynn Gymnasium. The JV boys game starts at 2:30 p.m. and the varsity game will follow at approximately 3:45 p.m.

JV boys earn win

Nevada won the JV game 53-44. Nevada's Easton Mitchell scored 20, Keegan Bell had 11 and Brett Norton scored nine.

Lamar 73, Nevada 68

Nevada: Ferry 9, Kerbs 3, I. Colopy 2, Bryson 21, Smith 16, Ketterman 8, N. Colopy 4, Banes 2, Brandt 0, Payne 0, Enriquez 0. Totals 12 (10) 15-18 68. Three-pointes: Smith 4, Bryson 3, Kerbs 1, Ferry 1, Ketterman 1.

Lamar: Bailey 8, Rice 16, Buckner 13, Petersen 8, Garfield 13, Bailey 0, Beshore 11, Campbell 3. Totals 19 (3) 25-38 73. Three-pointers: Buckner 2, Garfield 1.

Comments

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Let's see now. Which team wins a basketball game? Oh yah, its the team with the most points. Wow! Drew Bryson scores 21 points, and Silas Smith scores 16 points, and Joe Ferry scores 9, and they are only allowed to play 1/2 of the game!! Is it possible that they might be able to score 6 or 8 more points between them if left in the game!! This report states that Lamar had 4 players in double figures. Imagine that!! They played most of the whole game. This isn't rocket science. You have to play your best 5 players who are usually your scorers much more that 1/2 the game. This squad thing isn't working. If it's sooo good, then bring up 3 or 4 more JV players and run 3 squads! If it's broke, FIX IT if we really want to win. When one or two players are hot, LEAVE THEM IN THE GAME. Don't set them down for 2-3 minutes at a time. We have several players on the Varsity that should be getting more experience on the JV team. Infusion of new blood worked great for the Football team, maybe the same would be good for Basketball as well. We don't have 12 players that are all at the same level. Maybe we are just out of shape and our kids can't run hard for 8 minutes at a time?? I don't believe that. From the stats, Lamar played 8 players. Couch Bartlet and the girls team play about the same and use the top scorers as much as possible. Maybe it's time to give him a chance with the boys too. By trying to make everyone happy, you end up with noone being happy. Winning is just more fun than losing. Just look at our football team.

-- Posted by BigTiger on Sat, Feb 4, 2012, at 9:44 AM
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:)

-- Posted by Criticalthoughts on Sat, Feb 4, 2012, at 10:11 AM
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Well said!!!!!!

-- Posted by MIZ.........ZOU! on Sat, Feb 4, 2012, at 12:19 PM
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It's spelled Coach**. If you're going to post on here, at least make sure your spelling is correct, before you criticize others.

-- Posted by ethanbeisner on Sat, Feb 4, 2012, at 3:13 PM
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ethan ya know i just get sick of someone making a great point and your only responce is there spelling just curiouse are you a spelling teacher is this grade school nope not that i know of so please just stop that if all you have if oh your spelling stinks then dont say anything here a little know secret from those of us that have flaws to those of you that are perfect we dont care what you think for you big tiger very well put i totally agree with you but dont look for change to be honest cause it took us 5-6 years to get a coach that cares for our football team good luck to the basketball team though

-- Posted by 3D-shooter on Sat, Feb 4, 2012, at 9:11 PM
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Basically, I would love to see a team set foot on the basketball court rather than a bunch of individuals. I don't like to see comments that are intended to cut down the coach's decision when the problem lies with the players efforts as a whole that leads poor teamwork. Each player needs to understand their weaknesses and know what it takes to improve them and not rely on excuses for their performance. I should not have mentioned any specific players and I apologize for that but BigTiger's comments only listed 3 players on the team and how many points they scored. What about the other 8-9 players on the team and their role on the TEAM. I made over-exaggerated comments based on emotions that come out when I feel strongly about a topic. I apologize for my foolish comments. All of the tigers deserve my respect and everyone's respect for that matter.

-- Posted by ututututu on Mon, Feb 6, 2012, at 9:10 AM
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Play the ones that show the desire, heart and passion for the game. Also, these kids end up being the ones that know what it means to be a TEAM! Not the ones that cry and put their head down as soon as someone gives them criticism. So why are some of these seniors who have proved time and time again that they are not getting it done - still playing most of the time! Can someone explain to me why the tallest one on the team is always behind the 3 point line? this makes no sense at all!

-- Posted by mizzutiger on Mon, Feb 6, 2012, at 10:37 AM
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It seems xtiger did not read the bigtiger comments in context. He was talking about scoring. What I got from his article is that every time someone who has the ability to score and is scoring gets hot, they get pulled out. I don't think he was saying that these are the only team players that can score. You are correct it is a team effort and I assure you I listen carefully to most all the games and see a few. The whole team needs to pull together, play hard, and respect the game, the fans and their coach. I don't necessarily agree with everything that happens but isn't that what these great forums are good for? I appreciate your passion for Tiger Basketball and I hope this group of young men realizes what a privilege and opportunity it is to play.

-- Posted by Criticalthoughts on Mon, Feb 6, 2012, at 10:41 AM
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I do not agree with anything XTiger is saying or mizzutiger. BigTiger hit the nail on the head. If anyone should be playing it's the kids that deserve to be playing and put out the production night in and night out. When a kid is hot you do not take him out of the game, it disrupts the kids rhythm and the teams. I have been to almost every game and these people that havn't have no idea what they're talking about. For anyone who was at the Lamar game and happened to be wathcing and keeping track of the game this is how it played out, Group 1, winning 0-7 after the first shift. Second group came in, 8-7..... Why take the first group out?!?! First group comes back in, 9-13 Nevada. They come out, 18-15 Lamar. 1st group comes in 23-18 lamar, second group comes in 30-21. and 1st group finished the first half 34-26 Lamar. The first group only allowed 10 points!!!!! 10 Points to the second groups 24!! So who is deserving to play?? And the first group scored 21 out of the 26 points in the first half. The second group was clearly more rattled by the hostile enviornment than the first group and the youth clearly showed in the second group. They are not ready for that kind of pressure. And after that kind of game as a younger player you can be like ohh well. We'll get em next year. When you are a senior it is your last time to play a team like Lamar and when the outcome came out like it did, it has to be hard for them to be mad about it, when they played the way they did.

Now anyone who attented the game Saturday saw a well coached game and how it should've been this whole year. The game was fun and entertaining to watch and the kids looked like they were actually having fun!!! Isn't that what it's about?! Let the kids finsih they're last year and let the others play the next few years they still HAVE! On saturday, the team played hard and well. Isaiah looked like a totally different kid out there on the court, his defense picked up dramatically, and on the offense end he looked so much more comfortable on the court. He is not a true point guard and someone who should be left to handle the ball, but he had to in the second group becuase no one else was capable. Isaiah and Silas are scores and shooters and that's what they can do if you sub them in with the first group. And Jamin Brandt had an amazing game saturday, and wouldn't have had half the game he did if the coach subbed every two minutes. Plain and simple. I hope the coach finishes the year the way he coached saturday and wish the boys and this team the best of luck!!

Go Tigers!

-- Posted by AngryBird on Mon, Feb 6, 2012, at 12:37 PM
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Also if you wanna talk about they're town and since you did the reasearch, they're obviously not gonna drive 4 and a half hours or whatever it was for them, to play Nevada if they know they can't compete. They obviously knew they were gonna have a pretty good team when this game was scheduled. Your not gonna drive that far to play a game just to get killed. They have a history with the senior group and wanted to get back at them by beating them. But that didn't happen.

-- Posted by AngryBird on Mon, Feb 6, 2012, at 2:20 PM
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I do not have any children! I just love to root for the Nevada Tigers (for over 40 yrs)and there are times that it seems this team should be better than they are!!!

-- Posted by mizzutiger on Mon, Feb 6, 2012, at 2:32 PM
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As fans, our focus should be on supporting the entire team, players and coaches. Go Tigers!!

-- Posted by Moeloves theTigers on Mon, Feb 6, 2012, at 2:49 PM
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With the way they're playing they deserve to start and play. Period.

-- Posted by AngryBird on Mon, Feb 6, 2012, at 3:16 PM
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Until you step into a Coach's shoes, do not ever be so critical. You are not at practices, and you cannot solely oppinionate players and coaches based off of a game atmosphere. True SUPPORTERS of Nevada Tiger Basketball are SUPPORTIVE of the team, and coaching staff.

-- Posted by ForTheLoveOfTheGame. on Mon, Feb 6, 2012, at 3:47 PM
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I, a Tiger Supporter, finally witnessed a coach that respects his players this year in football. He in turn received it back from his players and you could see it on the field/every game. Change was good! I believe we need new blood.

I was sad inside when our Tigers were announced Saturday. No hoopla, no pride, no spirit, nothing. Just names being announced. I believe we need new blood.

A large majority of the basketball community is disappointed and frustrated AND see no end in sight of this insanity. I believe we need new blood.

PLEASE, as mentioned above, this program is broken, let's fix it! Change was good for football, let's try it for basketball. I believe we need new blood!

-- Posted by wootwoot on Mon, Feb 6, 2012, at 4:40 PM
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I guess truth hurts when your post get removed.

-- Posted by MIZ.........ZOU! on Mon, Feb 6, 2012, at 8:55 PM
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I wonder, do you think the people in Iraq care how this basketball team is doing? No wonder America is coming apart.

-- Posted by thoth2011 on Wed, Feb 8, 2012, at 8:23 PM
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thoth2011....you make the best point on this topic...it is sad

-- Posted by jimmy burke conway on Thu, Feb 9, 2012, at 2:08 PM
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Yes they probably care, they would be glad to see these young boys taking advantage of their freedom to enjoy their youth by playing sports. They fight for our freedom and they probably love seeing people enjoy their freedom.

Bleacher can't even win districts when he has one of the biggest schools in the entire class? We should be winning state championships judging by our class size and the football supporters are satisfied with last place in districts? Maybe that has something to do with the failure.

-- Posted by Nice Game? on Thu, Feb 9, 2012, at 6:05 PM
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nice game you missed the point. yes it is good that the kids are taking part in sports. I wonder how many could find Iraq on a wourld map. What is sad is the adults getting their blood pressure up over highschool sports. Trying to relieve their glory years? The high point in their life was their highschool years? That is sad. There is so many more important things out there. Just look how the people on here get their blood pressure up. It is silly. Let the high school kids have their sports. Stop trying to relive your glory years through the kids.

-- Posted by thoth2011 on Fri, Feb 10, 2012, at 3:55 AM
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thoth2011....I want to marry you.....nail on the head...what is even more sad is those glory years for some never existed....may I quote the Boss...Bruce Springsteen:

And I hope when I get old I don't sit around thinking about it but I probably will

Yeah, just sitting back trying to recapture

a little of the glory of, well time slips away

and leaves you with nothing mister but

boring stories of glory days

-- Posted by jimmy burke conway on Fri, Feb 10, 2012, at 8:00 AM
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You guys are contradicting yourself on here. You're getting your blood pressure up over this just as much as the parents. If you think that this is ridiculous then do something about it and not just crying on a public newspaper board. Show some initiative and run for the school board and push for education on more important matters, or something of that nature. But my guess is you like to just sit around and made accusations but never actually do anything about them.

-- Posted by Nice Game? on Fri, Feb 10, 2012, at 3:59 PM
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Jr. high maybe squad 1, 2 & 3........Highschool um duh. Stupid. I'm all for fair play in younger years you hit highschool and the atheltes that can preform belong on the floor the entire game and I'm not a Nevada life long nor have I had kids attend this school but been through many year of athletics and just sayin......play the kids in highschool that have the talent to win.

-- Posted by jormancat on Fri, Feb 10, 2012, at 9:40 PM
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Its a game people .........just a game.

-- Posted by Denis Cannon on Sun, Feb 12, 2012, at 1:44 PM
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