Ball handling is not a weakness for this Russell team. They basically play 10 guards. They do have a couple big kids that Coach Kidwell can bring along to bang down low, but I think that would be primarily to help on the boards against teams with a big inside presence.

 

I'm surprised they struggled a little last night with their press offense. But I'm sure coach will fix that. Defense has to get tighter. And they missed too many free throws. When you have a guard heavy team, generally FTs are a strength.

 

Russell's strength is Hustle. Not gonna be many teams out hustle them. There's not a lot of talent difference between kids 3-10 so as coach figures out the rotations they could wear some teams down.

 

As for starting an 8th grader...No he's not OJ, but hes not a typical 8th grader either. Moving him to SG will help him a lot. He can stroke the ball.

 

This Russell team will be fun to watch develop. They'll take their lumps for sure, but I could anticipate them to be a dangerous team to play because they play so hard and will never give up. It'll be much more fun to watch.

I didn't see Skaggs bringing it up last night, not for sure on PG's name. Don't have any exceptional ball handlers that I seen, might struggle a little against pressure and or physical play. But they got the job done last night.

I didn't see Skaggs bringing it up last night, not for sure on PG's name. Don't have any exceptional ball handlers that I seen, might struggle a little against pressure and or physical play. But they got the job done last night.

 

I agree no exceptional ball handlers but several that can handle the ball solid enough that they shouldn't struggle again a press especially if they pass the ball instead of one guy trying to dribble out of the press. gotta learn to move without the ball and use their team speed to get open and move it down the court. Should be able break a press without the ball touching the floor.

I believe Stapleton had 29 for Russell. You can't leave him open! Apparently the Bears never picked up on this.

 

Kyle Skaggs and Tanner Alexander shot well also.

 

PJ Goble played well off the bench and could crack the starting lineup before long.

 

Congrats to the Devils and Coach Kidwell!:thumb:

 

Did Bracken County fast break and full court press a lot? The new coach was supposed to have the Polar Bears fast breaking on offense and full court pressing on defense