July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Injuries change Jay's early look (11/26/03)
JCHS boys basketball
PORTLAND — For the first time in ages the Jay County boys basketball team will not play during the extended Thanksgiving holiday weekend. That might be a good thing.
The Patriots and coach Craig Teagle can use the extra week and a half before their first game to either: A) recover from injuries, or B) prepare themselves to play without several injured plays. The team has four players with health concerns, two of whom will definitely be out for the start of the season.
The highest profile of those injured players is Heath Williams, who was injured during practice Nov. 5. He suffered a fracture to one of the small bones in his ankle, and also severely sprained the ankle in a collision with teammate Mark Kelly.
Williams has a check-up scheduled soon, but Teagle said he expects the point guard and four-year starter will be out of game action until after Christmas.
“Obviously (we’ll miss his) ball handling, experience and understanding of how to attack pressure,” said Teagle. “That initial defensive ball pressure is something Heath’s really good at.”
Senior Drew Lloyd and junior Chad Keen will fill in the point guard slot in Williams absence. Keen had three assists, two points and five rebounds in Saturday’s scrimmage against Fort Wayne Carroll, and Lloyd had a couple of assists.
“Chad gives us better offensive skills,” said Teagle. “Drew is a spark plug with his effort and his energy on the defensive end.”
Schedule changes will allow both players a little extra time to practice in the role where they’ll see extra minutes.
Jay County usually opens the year against the Norwell Knights on Thanksgiving Eve. This year that game was moved because of Norwell’s run to the regional round of the state football tournament.
In past years the Patriots have also played the Muncie Central Bearcats on the opening weekend. The teams wanted to move the game deeper into the season, but couldn’t find a viable date so the series between the two schools will take at least a two-year hiatus.
With those two moves Jay County’s first contest of the year comes 10 days later than usual with a Friday, Dec. 5 trip to Decatur to take on the Class 3A No. 10 Bellmont Braves. The Patriots will hit the court hard after that, however, following with the Blackford Bruins at home Saturday, Dec. 6, the Fort Recovery Indians on the road Friday, Dec. 12 and the South Adams Starfires at home Saturday, Dec. 13.
In addition to Williams, senior guard Mike Alberson will also likely be out as the year begins. He suffered a left knee injury last week, and the timetable for his return to athletic activities is unknown.
Nick May and Andy Wellman are also still dealing with some ailments, but will be around for the opening game of the year.
Wellman is dealing with a medical condition which makes him tired quickly. Still, he’s been able to practice on a self-limited basis, and will be available for at least the first several weeks of the season.
May is still hobbled from a broken toe he suffered during the soccer season.
“(May) has tried to fight through it,” said Teagle. “He’s continued to practice.”
With all the health difficulties, the team will have to go through some lineup shifts. The only returning starters are now senior Dustin Overton and junior Trent Bailey, who are likely to be the team’s top scorers.
Bailey had 20 points, including 6-of-9 3-point shooting, in the Carroll scrimmage. Overton pulled down 10 rebounds and had three assists.
Teagle said Keen and juniors Mark Kelly and Andy Pinkerton are likely to be the other starters. Lloyd will see time off the bench at point guard, and Wellman will also be one of the first players off the bench.
May, junior Tyler Dunnington and freshman Cory Comer are the other players Teagle said will see minutes to help replace those who are injured. He said he’s sees it as an opportunity get experience for later in the season and for some of the reserves to earn more minutes on the varsity floor.
“I think you just have to decide it’s going to benefit you by allowing them to play in the roles they might not have gotten into,” said Teagle. “It’s a perfect opportunity for them if they shine.”[[In-content Ad]]
The Patriots and coach Craig Teagle can use the extra week and a half before their first game to either: A) recover from injuries, or B) prepare themselves to play without several injured plays. The team has four players with health concerns, two of whom will definitely be out for the start of the season.
The highest profile of those injured players is Heath Williams, who was injured during practice Nov. 5. He suffered a fracture to one of the small bones in his ankle, and also severely sprained the ankle in a collision with teammate Mark Kelly.
Williams has a check-up scheduled soon, but Teagle said he expects the point guard and four-year starter will be out of game action until after Christmas.
“Obviously (we’ll miss his) ball handling, experience and understanding of how to attack pressure,” said Teagle. “That initial defensive ball pressure is something Heath’s really good at.”
Senior Drew Lloyd and junior Chad Keen will fill in the point guard slot in Williams absence. Keen had three assists, two points and five rebounds in Saturday’s scrimmage against Fort Wayne Carroll, and Lloyd had a couple of assists.
“Chad gives us better offensive skills,” said Teagle. “Drew is a spark plug with his effort and his energy on the defensive end.”
Schedule changes will allow both players a little extra time to practice in the role where they’ll see extra minutes.
Jay County usually opens the year against the Norwell Knights on Thanksgiving Eve. This year that game was moved because of Norwell’s run to the regional round of the state football tournament.
In past years the Patriots have also played the Muncie Central Bearcats on the opening weekend. The teams wanted to move the game deeper into the season, but couldn’t find a viable date so the series between the two schools will take at least a two-year hiatus.
With those two moves Jay County’s first contest of the year comes 10 days later than usual with a Friday, Dec. 5 trip to Decatur to take on the Class 3A No. 10 Bellmont Braves. The Patriots will hit the court hard after that, however, following with the Blackford Bruins at home Saturday, Dec. 6, the Fort Recovery Indians on the road Friday, Dec. 12 and the South Adams Starfires at home Saturday, Dec. 13.
In addition to Williams, senior guard Mike Alberson will also likely be out as the year begins. He suffered a left knee injury last week, and the timetable for his return to athletic activities is unknown.
Nick May and Andy Wellman are also still dealing with some ailments, but will be around for the opening game of the year.
Wellman is dealing with a medical condition which makes him tired quickly. Still, he’s been able to practice on a self-limited basis, and will be available for at least the first several weeks of the season.
May is still hobbled from a broken toe he suffered during the soccer season.
“(May) has tried to fight through it,” said Teagle. “He’s continued to practice.”
With all the health difficulties, the team will have to go through some lineup shifts. The only returning starters are now senior Dustin Overton and junior Trent Bailey, who are likely to be the team’s top scorers.
Bailey had 20 points, including 6-of-9 3-point shooting, in the Carroll scrimmage. Overton pulled down 10 rebounds and had three assists.
Teagle said Keen and juniors Mark Kelly and Andy Pinkerton are likely to be the other starters. Lloyd will see time off the bench at point guard, and Wellman will also be one of the first players off the bench.
May, junior Tyler Dunnington and freshman Cory Comer are the other players Teagle said will see minutes to help replace those who are injured. He said he’s sees it as an opportunity get experience for later in the season and for some of the reserves to earn more minutes on the varsity floor.
“I think you just have to decide it’s going to benefit you by allowing them to play in the roles they might not have gotten into,” said Teagle. “It’s a perfect opportunity for them if they shine.”[[In-content Ad]]
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