Coach looks to improve defense

The JV and freshmen boys basketball teams took on Worland on their home court Thursday, and were at Buffalo Friday. Both teams struggled to find wins over the two-day stretch, with JV falling to Worland 63-45 and to Buffalo 63-33. The freshmen lost to Worland 65-42 and to Buffalo 44-35.

Looking at the JV games, Coach Ryan Shaffer noted the goal this past week was to increase the defensive output for the teams, specifically looking at keeping opponents’ to 10 points or less per quarter.

Shaffer further added if the Bobcats can keep opposing teams to within 35 or 40 points, “we can take the game.”

Worland came out shooting well, Shaffer said, hitting nine three-pointers in the first half and taking a 34-18 lead at the half. In the third quarter, Thermopolis was able to outscore Worland 18-16. Shaffer said it was good for them to win the quarter, as they had a whole different mentality coming into the second half.

Ending the game with 45, Shaffer again noted if they had kept Worland to 10 points each quarter they would’ve won.

“We have to be better. We can’t let a team score 63 points,” Shaffer said. He further added the JV are not a high scoring team, making 40 or 50 points a game, so to win games they have to keep their opponents from getting to the basket.

As for the game against Buffalo, Shaffer said they started off a bit slow, which was also a detriment. However, Thermopolis did win the fourth quarter 16-11. Shaffer said the last few minutes of the game seemed to be when the boys step things up a bit, something clicked and their ball handling and scoring improved.

Shaffer said it’s encouraging when the team is recognized for not giving up. He pointed out the players on the court in the fourth were the main JV players rather than freshmen, as he wants them to show they want those spots on the team. He was encouraged to see the boys’ drive, and for taking on the attitude they aren’t going to be continually beat by 30 or more points.

Scoring against Worland were: Justin Jeffs — 13; Cade Zupan — 12; Jaxon Davis — 10; Liam Aaron — 7; Sean Miller — 2; and Sterling Gerber — 1

Scoring against Buffalo were: Davis — 14; Aaron — 7; Zupan — 7; Jeffs — 3; and Miller — 2

As for the freshmen, Shaffer wants them to keep the same idea of keeping their opponents to 10 points per quarter. The 38 points Worland scored in the first half didn’t reflect this, he noted. Similar to the JV game against Worland, the Thermopolis freshmen’s 42 points would’ve won them the game.

Shaffer said it’s important to get the team realizing their defense is just as important at the start and during the game as it is in the last quarter.

Shaffer has also been working with the players

“It’s nice to see the guys not just rely on the three-point,” Shaffer said, “to actually be aggressive and take the ball in. We did that at Buffalo.”

The Bobcats actually had Buffalo tied at 23 at halftime, though Shaffer noted turnovers really hurt them in Friday’s game. He further pointed out the defense kept Buffalo at 13 points in the second, 12 in the third but only five in the fourth, so on average they were just about there with keeping them to 10 points or less per quarter.

Shaffer said it makes a huge difference in the boys’ attitude when they’re within one or two points of winning rather than 20 or more. He was excited about what he saw on the court, and is hopeful the boys have made it over this bump when it comes to defense.

Scoring against Worland were: Dustin Harvey — 12; Oran Coyne — 11; Logan Shumway — 10; Sterling Gerber — 7; and Jarron Mortimore — 2.

Scoring against Buffalo were: Shumway — 9; Harvey — 7; Mortimore — 7; Gerber — 6; Cade McLean — 4; and Chase Snooks — 2.

The freshmen were scheduled to play at Greybull Tuesday evening, and both teams will be at Rawlins Friday. Freshmen will play at 2:30 p.m., with JV at 4 p.m.