BOYS BASKETBALL: FULL STEAM AHEAD
By BRANDON HURLEY
Sports Editor
JEFFERSON –
The Greene County boys’ basketball team has played an up-tempo style this winter that has allowed the Rams to score in bunches, at a highly efficient rate to boot.
The offensive explosion sprung the Rams to a winning record (6-3) and second place in the Heart of Iowa Conference (5-1) as they enter the stretch run of the season
“We’ve had a lot more positives then negatives,” first-year Greene County coach Chris Nelson said. “I have been pretty pleased with the defense and we are scoring some points offensively.”
Though Greene County has struggled in their last five contests, going just 2-3 over that stretch, the Rams have proven their hot start was no fluke, as they top the Heart of Iowa Conference in several categories.
“Going into the break, I wouldn’t say we struggled scoring, but we had some tough stretches there. So we worked on the shooting a lot in practice,” Nelson said. “Confidence is key.”
Through nine games, the Rams are on pace to set high marks in scoring, field goal percentage, steals and wins that haven’t been reached in several seasons. Totals that are up near the top of the state as well.
The Jefferson-based squad leads the HOIC in scoring and shooting percentage, pouring in 66.6 points per game while connecting on 51.8 percent of their shots.
They’ve also converted on the most three pointers in all of 3A, having sank 72 threes at a sterling 40.7 percent mark, which is the third best percentage in the state.
The coach said his offense may be even more unpredictable in the second half. It’s an offense that feeds on fast break opportunities and quick shots, but it could be even more break-neck in the coming months.
“We are going to run a more open, free-flowing offense offense to get some easy looks,” Nelson said.
Individually, guard Trey Tucker leads the Rams in scoring at 21.7 points per game, which is second in the HOIC behind South Hamilton’s Collin Hill, who is averaging 23.7 PPG.
The senior is spelled by sophomore Trey Hinote (15.3 PPG), who leads all of Class 3A with 31 made three-pointers. Tucker is a sharp-shooter as well and has sank the second most threes in the state with 27, tying him with Bondurant-Farrar’s Mason Storey. Hinote has connected on 47 percent of his threes while Tucker has made 48.2 percent.
A sweet-shooting group of athletes isn’t the only key to the prolific offense, Nelson said.
“I think early on, our defense led to some of the opportunities on offense,” Nelson said. “Once the kids gained some confidence it all just built from there. They were stepping into their shots.”
The Rams swipe 9.6 steals per game, tops in the HOIC, which often leads to easy fast break points or an open transition three.
A willingness to share the ball has also proved vital. The Rams have dished out the most assists in the state at nearly 15 per game (14.8), 134 total. The ball-handlers seemingly know where to find the open shooter, whether out on the break or in the half court set.
Greene County sits a half game back of South Hamilton in the HOIC (5-1), with the Hawks holding the tiebreaker with a victory over Greene County in December. The Rams travel to Jewell Jan. 27 for the rematch.
Tucker isn’t just a scoring threat as he is second in the conference in total assists with 32 (3.5 APG) while he tops the league in steals with 24 (2.6 SPG). If that weren’t enough, the senior also leads the team in rebounding at 5.7 RPG, giving him an utterly ridiculous stat line of 21.7/55/5.7/3.5/2.6.
Even Greene County’s losses this year have been of the exciting fashion, as the Rams have held leads or at least been tied with their opponent in the fourth quarter in all three of their defeats.
Pulling out those tight games is a matter of gaining experience, Nelson said.
“I think some of it is being in that situation, some of those kids have been in those, it’s really a good learning experience,” the coach said. “I’m sure we will have more games like that and I believe we can do it.”
The Rams must shore up their defense though if they want to see extended success, the coach said. Greene County is allowing 55.6 points per game as a team. It was a big area of emphasis over the two-week holiday break along with improving the facets they have recently seen come to fruition.
“We continued to work on our help side defense, we have definitely gotten better that, but it’s something we’ve continued to work on,” Nelson said. “Offensively, we are trying to throw in some quick hitters to get some more open shots. And we’ve started to get some more depth. Hopefully we can continue to call on that.”
That depth can be attributed to the success of a few underclassmen and a senior.
Junior Wade Adcock’s 66.7 field goal percentage is tops in the league, as he contributes 11.4 points per game, giving Greene County a third viable scoring option.
Sophomore Lance Hughes averages eight points per game on 52 percent shooting while Tommy Jacobsen adds 6.8 points per game to go with eight made three pointers.
The Rams last finished a season with a winning record in 2011-2012, a year in which they were 13-10. Greene County won 17 games in the 2009-10 season and shared the Heart of Iowa Conference title with PCM, their best win total in the last 10 seasons.
Greene County averaged 57.2 points per game and shot 36.8 percent from the field in 21 games last winter, a season in which they went 10-11 overall and 9-7 in conference. This winter’s pace should easily surpass all those marks.
Continued attention to detail along with a low-stress attitude should take the Rams a long way this winter, Nelson said.
“I think its just a matter of having fun and coming out ready to play every night,” the coach said. “As long as (our) effort and energy is there and we continue to do the small things, I think we will find success.”
Gilbert visits Jefferson Friday, which marks 15 days since the Rams last played a game, a 62-60 loss to Boone. The Tigers are 4-2 and score 61 points per game while connecting on 40 percent of their shots. They also force 13 steals per game.
Tip is set for 7:15 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6 inside the Greene County Middle School in Jefferson following the girls’ game.
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