Huge Steps Taken

We traveled to Sheridan, WY this past weekend for the 41st annual Lion's Club Classic. Besides the Jacks it included host Sheridan College, Region 9 powerhouse, Northwest College and our Mon-Dak brethren, Williston State College.

Even though we came thru with a split it was huge the way we did it. The boys showed some resolve and moxy all weekend. They battled thru adversity, runs, and being in a hostile environment.

On Friday evening it was the host school up first. This is a game where we had chances to steal one. In the first half our shooting was as icy as the roads, shooting 35% and being out scored 16-4 from the line. With those two stats you would think we would be down a few. However, we led 44-40 due to our extremely aggressive defense and high energy. We forced 17 first half turnovers and allowed only 1 total shot the first 3:00.

The 2nd half was back and forth for a good portion with neither side seeing more than an 8 point margin. With about 8 minutes to go we trailed 70-68, however it is a game of runs and the last run usually wins. Over about a minute and half stretch SC went for two lay ups and two threes to up the lead to 10. The Jacks kept fighting until the end, losing 102-92 and were given some high praises by not only this guy but also many General fans.

Game two saw the Jacks come out flat, going down 16-0 quickly and by as much as 22 (29-7) in the first half. However after a bit of clearing the air and looking to our bench for a spark we found a formula that worked. We started to speed up the game, and dirty it on the way to out scoring the Trappers 37-16 the rest of the half to pull to within 1, 45-44.

The 2nd half saw NWC lead most of it by 1 to 4 points. However the Jacks found a way to tie the game and to take a lead the last minute. After Joe Baker hit one of two from the stripe it was 94-92 with 4.5 seconds left. On the inbound the Northwest player went coast to coast getting fouled on the layup. He would air ball the first and miss the second on purpose without any drama to seal the win.

We are now 10-4 on the year, and picked up our biggest win the last two years over Northwest. I am proud of how this group responded to recent strife and came together as one unit for the weekend.