Young Indians show promise


The junior high boys basketball team: (kneeling from left) Chris Heinze, Riley Willumsen, Matthew Dunning, John Sturges; (second row) Spencer Gibbs, Nathan Mundy, Matt BeltCapellino, Drew Garrison and Coach Rick Osmer.


If last week’s junior high game is any indicator, Shelter Islandhigh school basketball will have some very strong seasons to lookforward to.

The boys scored a blowout victory against Ross on Thursday,January 14, winning by the biggest margin they’ve scored thisseason, 52-24.

Their key to success was their fast-paced transitions, whichhelped set them up for easy points. Although they’ve been workinghard on learning and running plays, that aspect of their gamewasn’t a major focus on Thursday: “We got down the court fasterthan the other team, which is the name of the game, said Coach RickOsmer, adding “if you can get layups, why set up a play?

The eight-man squad also added some extra points with animpressive free throw percentage, sinking 11 of their 16 foulshots.

The Indians have been an offensive force this season, scoringover 50 points in both of their last two games. “That’s a lot in7-minute quarters for junior high, noted Coach Osmer.

The Indians had an easy time racking up the points – theyout-matched the Ravens from the start: “They’re probably theweakest team we’ve played so far, said Coach Osmer.

Still, Shelter Island teams are at a disadvantage in most gamesbecause of their small player pool: “Obviously we don’t have thenumbers that a lot of schools do, but [we have] good talent, saidCoach Osmer, adding “they’re going to help the high school team outin a couple of years.

Aspects of their defense, though, need work: “We have to work onboxing out and rebounding, that’s probably one of our weak parts,said Coach Osmer.

The victory brings the team’s record to 4-3. But as Coach Osmersaid, “records aren’t that important. What matters is that the boysare getting better – and they certainly are. “Springs beat us by 6at their place [on December 17], and we turned it around and beatthem by 24 [on January 12], so that shows a little bit ofimprovement.

The central focus of their practices has been on learning plays.”Just knowing the system, I think they’ve improved a lot said CoachOsmer, “at this level it’s important that they’re learning aboutthe game.

He has high hopes for the boys’ future on the high school level:”If they stay together and play more than the two or three monthsduring the season, it could be a playoff team.

Their next game is on their home court against Pierson, today at4 p.m.